cichlid nipping

[cheesefactory]

recently I have witnessed the male being followed around constantly by "alleged" female.

Sometimes the big male turns and nips at the "female"

Also the "female" has changed almost completley dark with very little blue recently.

Is this behavior strange?

Are they just a quareling couple, or really one male assuming dominance?

Thanks.

AI

[GirlieGirl8521]

What kind of cichlids are we talking about?

[balton777]

What kind of cichlids are we talking about?

Always post as much info as possible. Tank size and other inhabitants, etc. is helpful.

Some cichlids turn black when they're super stressed-out.

My severums turn almost black when spawning.

[cheesefactory]

JDS and stress could be it, because it's a 29 gallon tank with 2 JDS and 2 juveline red earred sliders.

[img=http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/3585/img17799vt.jpg] (http://imageshack.us)

The turtles don't really bother then fish and we have a sizeable cichlid cave, driftwood, fresh water plants and alot of places to hide.

But is still very tight, you can tell.

I want to get a 60 gallon tank this weekend, they have them on sale at Octapuss garden, $1 / gallon.

AI

[lwooters]

where is the octapuss garden???

[balton777]

At least you realize that a 29 is no place for a couple of Jacks. If you don't get an upgrade soon, you should start thinking about what kind of (more appropriate) fish you'd like to trade them for. Good luck!:)

[cheesefactory]

<a href="http://img266.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img17792xm.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/7229/img17792xm.th.jpg" border="0" alt="Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us (http://www.ImageShack.us)" /></a>

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/7229/img17792xm.th.jpg (http://img266.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img17792xm.jpg)

Octapuss Garden - 4865 Convoy san diego CA 858-576-7449.

i FOUND OUT THE $1 PER GALLON for aquariums is an everyday low price, maybe you can find someplace that will price match?

Now I have to convince my DH to let me get the bigger tank.

In the meantime, what would you recommend, weekly water changes, say 50%?

I was thinking about using the CO cannister, that would stop the plants from rotting as fast (contributing to nitrates), correct?

Thank you all,

AI

[balton777]

Turtles make a lot of waste so 50% weekly minimum, maybe 30-40% twice a week because the bioload is pretty high for a 29g.

If you're going to get a 60, I would step up and get a 75. It wouldn't take up much more room and you have more options with it. Maintenance would almost be identical as well. Always get the biggest tank you possibly can.

Lol I'm trying to convice my wife I need another tank too.

*edit*- If you're going to keep cichlids, I would skip the live plant idea. Save your $$, it'll be a waste.

[cheesefactory]

Thanks, we also started putting "prime" in the water, wondering how those will effect my turtles?

I'll campaign DH to get the tank sooner!

Ai

[lwooters]

I saw your profile said Maryland so I didn't know if it was someplace within driving distance to me. Thanks. Do you know if they have a website or if they ship?