fish id

[bapski]

can somebody help me id this fish?

 

[Pufferpoison]

African jewel Cichlid, here's some facts i pulled up for you. hope this helps



Jewel Cichlid Factoids

Origin
West African rivers

Maximum Size
Six inches theoretically -- four in real life

Longevity
10 years

Housing
10 okay but big tanks work better

Security
Females need cover at breeding time

Temperature
Prefers 75 to 82

Attitude
Stands up to larger cichlids. Not always the winner.

Sexing Difficult to distinguish discernible differences
Breeding Not that hard
Foods
Not picky

Water
Will live in old, yellow water. Prefers it cleaner.

 

[bapski]

so its an african cichlid then? whew.. thats a relief! that would mean i dont have to return it...

 

[threejjj]

they are extremely agressive

 

[Z Man]

Just a question? Why did you say it a relief that it is an African cichlid? It is a soft water African not good in rift lake tanks.

 

[bapski]

a relief because it was previously id as a south american cichlid... and i have african cichlids.. was in a dillema whether to return the fish or get rid of it in some way.

 

[Z Man]

That is what I am trying to tell you. Most African cichlids need hard water to be happy. These guys need soft water. They can get pretty nasty also. How big is you tank and what are the other African cichlids you have?

 

[liv2padl]

there is a vast difference between East African (Rift Lake) and West African (jewel fish). the former require hard, alkaline water while the latter prefer soft, acidic water. they can NOT be kept together in the same tank.

you've got Hemichromis bimaculatus.

 

[bapski]

That is what I am trying to tell you. Most African cichlids need hard water to be happy. These guys need soft water. They can get pretty nasty also. How big is you tank and what are the other African cichlids you have?

my fish gallery

 

[bapski]

there is a vast difference between East African (Rift Lake) and West African (jewel fish). the former require hard, alkaline water while the latter prefer soft, acidic water. they can NOT be kept together in the same tank.

you've got Hemichromis bimaculatus.

i am screwed! really screwed... this is what happens when you just pick up fish from petsmart. :mad2: