I have an algea eater that is missing part of his tail fin. I know it was not like that when I got him. He is in a 5 gallon with 2 juvenille cichlids. One is an electric yellow lab, and the other is a jewel chichlid. Are they biting his tail?
My algae eater is missing parts of his tail fin.
- Thread starter cocoloco
- Start date
I would say yes. I've raised many cichlids before and they can be nasty. I've never raised jewel cichlids, but I've been told they can be hard on tankmates. Did you introduce him after the cichlids? My cichlids used to terrorize new tankmates for a few days before they got over them, so you may see them lighten up. Also a 5 gal is pretty small for two agressive fish like that. You said they were juvis, so how big are they. A buddy and I like to start our juvies out in 10 gal aquariums with plenty of broken brick or other rock reef to hide and make little territories in. Good luck with your pleco.
I am sorry to report that my little algae eater has passed on. I will not be adding a new one.
My cichlids are an inch long excluding their tails. How big of a tank should I get? I know I need to get a larger one. Just not sure how big.
My cichlids are an inch long excluding their tails. How big of a tank should I get? I know I need to get a larger one. Just not sure how big.
Two cichlids willl probably be fine in a 30 gallon long aquarium which would provide ample room from them when they reach their max size to stake out territories to live in. However, everyone i know can never stop at just a few fish, and you'll probably be the same. So a 55 gal aquarium would hold a breeder (1 male, 3 females) colony of electric yellows and a Synodontis catfish. You can probably put a few more cichlids of similar size in a 20 gal for now, and just move up aquarium sizes as the crowding increases. This eliminates the expensive larger aquarium and filtration purchases until you're ready. Also only a few inch long cichlids would hide forever in a 55 gal. Good luck with your cichlids. When I was a young kid they were my first fish I rasied on my own, and they have some of the greatest personalities. When they figure out you provide their food they become puppy dogs.
no problem. Good luck with those guys. I've always love cichlids. There's plenty of help in these forums, so just search. I just found them now and they've helped a great deal.