African Cichlids

[JEFFREY STREET]

I bought a 55 gallon tank, set it up, bought 2 African cichlids from Petland
Discounts (that is how they were labeled in their aquarium)... later I
bought 5 more Africian Cichlids from a pure fish store and I know there
names... I would like to know the names of the two I bought at Petland.. how
can I show photos here and would that help?

Also, one is very very agression (one of the petland ones), he has taken
over a cave in the rocks and runs every other fish (except Clyde the 4 1/2
inch pleco) away... these are all baby fish, I know NetMAx usually has good
advice as do others... please help, I don't know if I should return the
super aggressive fish or not?

[Marc88]

It doesn't matter if you bring the aggressive one back. If you do, one or
more of the other seemingly peaceful fish will take over. That is the nature
of an African cichlid tank. Pecking orders are established and the top dogs
will chase and harass the other tankmates. The best defense is 1) A big
tank. Like 6-10 feet. 2) Lots and lots of caves and hiding places. 3)
Overcrowd to distribute the aggression. 4)Keep temperatures at the lower end
of the safe range. 5)Feed lightly and often. Even with these measures, you
will still have to get used to a certain level of chasing/fighting in your
tank.

IMO a typical 4-foot 55 gallon tank is inappropriate for African cichlids.
Most of the time, this size tank will be a rotating death generator and you
will find yourself visiting the pet store once a month to replace those at
the bottom of the pecking order who will typically 1) hide a lot, 2) stop
eating, and then 3) die.

African cichlids can be seductive with their coloration and beauty. But if
you're after a peaceful serene fish tank, you picked the wrong fish.

-Marc








"JEFFREY STREET" > wrote in message
.net...
> I bought a 55 gallon tank, set it up, bought 2 African cichlids from
Petland
> Discounts (that is how they were labeled in their aquarium)... later I
> bought 5 more Africian Cichlids from a pure fish store and I know there
> names... I would like to know the names of the two I bought at Petland..
how
> can I show photos here and would that help?
>
> Also, one is very very agression (one of the petland ones), he has taken
> over a cave in the rocks and runs every other fish (except Clyde the 4 1/2
> inch pleco) away... these are all baby fish, I know NetMAx usually has
good
> advice as do others... please help, I don't know if I should return the
> super aggressive fish or not?
>
>

[Rich Conley]

Ive got a 55..with 25 fish in it..all full grown

Yellow labs,
Ps. Zebra Nkhata Bay
Cyn. Afra Cobue
Mel. Johanni Chimsulu

and it certainly is not a "rotating death generator" You just have to make sure
you have good ratios of Male to Female, and that you keep similiar levels of
aggresssion.

Marc88 wrote:

> It doesn't matter if you bring the aggressive one back. If you do, one or
> more of the other seemingly peaceful fish will take over. That is the nature
> of an African cichlid tank. Pecking orders are established and the top dogs
> will chase and harass the other tankmates. The best defense is 1) A big
> tank. Like 6-10 feet. 2) Lots and lots of caves and hiding places. 3)
> Overcrowd to distribute the aggression. 4)Keep temperatures at the lower end
> of the safe range. 5)Feed lightly and often. Even with these measures, you
> will still have to get used to a certain level of chasing/fighting in your
> tank.
>
> IMO a typical 4-foot 55 gallon tank is inappropriate for African cichlids.
> Most of the time, this size tank will be a rotating death generator and you
> will find yourself visiting the pet store once a month to replace those at
> the bottom of the pecking order who will typically 1) hide a lot, 2) stop
> eating, and then 3) die.
>
> African cichlids can be seductive with their coloration and beauty. But if
> you're after a peaceful serene fish tank, you picked the wrong fish.
>
> -Marc
>
> "JEFFREY STREET" > wrote in message
> .net...
> > I bought a 55 gallon tank, set it up, bought 2 African cichlids from
> Petland
> > Discounts (that is how they were labeled in their aquarium)... later I
> > bought 5 more Africian Cichlids from a pure fish store and I know there
> > names... I would like to know the names of the two I bought at Petland..
> how
> > can I show photos here and would that help?
> >
> > Also, one is very very agression (one of the petland ones), he has taken
> > over a cave in the rocks and runs every other fish (except Clyde the 4 1/2
> > inch pleco) away... these are all baby fish, I know NetMAx usually has
> good
> > advice as do others... please help, I don't know if I should return the
> > super aggressive fish or not?
> >
> >

[JEFFREY STREET]

how do you know male to female at an early age of the fish?



"Rich Conley" > wrote in message
.. .
> Ive got a 55..with 25 fish in it..all full grown
>
> Yellow labs,
> Ps. Zebra Nkhata Bay
> Cyn. Afra Cobue
> Mel. Johanni Chimsulu
>
> and it certainly is not a "rotating death generator" You just have to make
sure
> you have good ratios of Male to Female, and that you keep similiar levels
of
> aggresssion.
>
> Marc88 wrote:
>
> > It doesn't matter if you bring the aggressive one back. If you do, one
or
> > more of the other seemingly peaceful fish will take over. That is the
nature
> > of an African cichlid tank. Pecking orders are established and the top
dogs
> > will chase and harass the other tankmates. The best defense is 1) A big
> > tank. Like 6-10 feet. 2) Lots and lots of caves and hiding places. 3)
> > Overcrowd to distribute the aggression. 4)Keep temperatures at the lower
end
> > of the safe range. 5)Feed lightly and often. Even with these measures,
you
> > will still have to get used to a certain level of chasing/fighting in
your
> > tank.
> >
> > IMO a typical 4-foot 55 gallon tank is inappropriate for African
cichlids.
> > Most of the time, this size tank will be a rotating death generator and
you
> > will find yourself visiting the pet store once a month to replace those
at
> > the bottom of the pecking order who will typically 1) hide a lot, 2)
stop
> > eating, and then 3) die.
> >
> > African cichlids can be seductive with their coloration and beauty. But
if
> > you're after a peaceful serene fish tank, you picked the wrong fish.
> >
> > -Marc
> >
> > "JEFFREY STREET" > wrote in message
> > .net...
> > > I bought a 55 gallon tank, set it up, bought 2 African cichlids from
> > Petland
> > > Discounts (that is how they were labeled in their aquarium)... later I
> > > bought 5 more Africian Cichlids from a pure fish store and I know
there
> > > names... I would like to know the names of the two I bought at
Petland..
> > how
> > > can I show photos here and would that help?
> > >
> > > Also, one is very very agression (one of the petland ones), he has
taken
> > > over a cave in the rocks and runs every other fish (except Clyde the 4
1/2
> > > inch pleco) away... these are all baby fish, I know NetMAx usually has
> > good
> > > advice as do others... please help, I don't know if I should return
the
> > > super aggressive fish or not?
> > >
> > >
>

[Mark]

Wow! I think you might be over-generalizing just a bit in regards to
African cichlids. There are alot of species, they come from many
bodies of water, and have many different behavioral traits. I have
numerous (12 to be exact) 4-ft tanks with African cichlids and I don't
experience anywhere near the carnage you describe. A few of the tanks
are species-tanks that contain only Tropheus but most are community
tanks.

If done correctly and with some thought, an African tank can be more
rewarding than most people think and losses are no more common than
with any other fish.

--


Mark
http://www.cichliddomain.com


"Marc88" > wrote in message
...
> It doesn't matter if you bring the aggressive one back. If you do,
one or
> more of the other seemingly peaceful fish will take over. That is
the nature
> of an African cichlid tank. Pecking orders are established and the
top dogs
> will chase and harass the other tankmates. The best defense is 1) A
big
> tank. Like 6-10 feet. 2) Lots and lots of caves and hiding places.
3)
> Overcrowd to distribute the aggression. 4)Keep temperatures at the
lower end
> of the safe range. 5)Feed lightly and often. Even with these
measures, you
> will still have to get used to a certain level of chasing/fighting
in your
> tank.
>
> IMO a typical 4-foot 55 gallon tank is inappropriate for African
cichlids.
> Most of the time, this size tank will be a rotating death generator
and you
> will find yourself visiting the pet store once a month to replace
those at
> the bottom of the pecking order who will typically 1) hide a lot, 2)
stop
> eating, and then 3) die.
>
> African cichlids can be seductive with their coloration and beauty.
But if
> you're after a peaceful serene fish tank, you picked the wrong fish.
>
> -Marc
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> "JEFFREY STREET" > wrote in message
> .net...
> > I bought a 55 gallon tank, set it up, bought 2 African cichlids
from
> Petland
> > Discounts (that is how they were labeled in their aquarium)...
later I
> > bought 5 more Africian Cichlids from a pure fish store and I know
there
> > names... I would like to know the names of the two I bought at
Petland..
> how
> > can I show photos here and would that help?
> >
> > Also, one is very very agression (one of the petland ones), he has
taken
> > over a cave in the rocks and runs every other fish (except Clyde
the 4 1/2
> > inch pleco) away... these are all baby fish, I know NetMAx usually
has
> good
> > advice as do others... please help, I don't know if I should
return the
> > super aggressive fish or not?
> >
> >
>
>

[D&M]

"Mark" > wrote in message
...
> Wow! I think you might be over-generalizing just a bit in regards to
> African cichlids. There are alot of species, they come from many
> bodies of water, and have many different behavioral traits. I have
> numerous (12 to be exact) 4-ft tanks with African cichlids and I don't
> experience anywhere near the carnage you describe. A few of the tanks
> are species-tanks that contain only Tropheus but most are community
> tanks.
>
> If done correctly and with some thought, an African tank can be more
> rewarding than most people think and losses are no more common than
> with any other fish.
>

I'd have to agree, just look at the difference between open lake and rock
dwellers.

[ponder]

Ok, so help me here, I have a 50 gallon tank, gravel rocks plants lots of
hiding spots, 2 redXreds I think they are both males, how do I tell, one
yellow someting with darker stripes from top to bottom getting very
fat(think it is female but of what), pair of electric blues, now the reds
are fighting something bad, ripping each other up. I have seperated them.
They grew all up together and I have never had this problem before. I am
sorta new to cichlids, so excuss the namelessness of the breeds. the blues
are breeding all the time.


Mark > wrote in message
...
> Wow! I think you might be over-generalizing just a bit in regards to
> African cichlids. There are alot of species, they come from many
> bodies of water, and have many different behavioral traits. I have
> numerous (12 to be exact) 4-ft tanks with African cichlids and I don't
> experience anywhere near the carnage you describe. A few of the tanks
> are species-tanks that contain only Tropheus but most are community
> tanks.
>
> If done correctly and with some thought, an African tank can be more
> rewarding than most people think and losses are no more common than
> with any other fish.
>
> --
>
>
> Mark
> http://www.cichliddomain.com
>
>
> "Marc88" > wrote in message
> ...
> > It doesn't matter if you bring the aggressive one back. If you do,
> one or
> > more of the other seemingly peaceful fish will take over. That is
> the nature
> > of an African cichlid tank. Pecking orders are established and the
> top dogs
> > will chase and harass the other tankmates. The best defense is 1) A
> big
> > tank. Like 6-10 feet. 2) Lots and lots of caves and hiding places.
> 3)
> > Overcrowd to distribute the aggression. 4)Keep temperatures at the
> lower end
> > of the safe range. 5)Feed lightly and often. Even with these
> measures, you
> > will still have to get used to a certain level of chasing/fighting
> in your
> > tank.
> >
> > IMO a typical 4-foot 55 gallon tank is inappropriate for African
> cichlids.
> > Most of the time, this size tank will be a rotating death generator
> and you
> > will find yourself visiting the pet store once a month to replace
> those at
> > the bottom of the pecking order who will typically 1) hide a lot, 2)
> stop
> > eating, and then 3) die.
> >
> > African cichlids can be seductive with their coloration and beauty.
> But if
> > you're after a peaceful serene fish tank, you picked the wrong fish.
> >
> > -Marc
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > "JEFFREY STREET" > wrote in message
> > .net...
> > > I bought a 55 gallon tank, set it up, bought 2 African cichlids
> from
> > Petland
> > > Discounts (that is how they were labeled in their aquarium)...
> later I
> > > bought 5 more Africian Cichlids from a pure fish store and I know
> there
> > > names... I would like to know the names of the two I bought at
> Petland..
> > how
> > > can I show photos here and would that help?
> > >
> > > Also, one is very very agression (one of the petland ones), he has
> taken
> > > over a cave in the rocks and runs every other fish (except Clyde
> the 4 1/2
> > > inch pleco) away... these are all baby fish, I know NetMAx usually
> has
> > good
> > > advice as do others... please help, I don't know if I should
> return the
> > > super aggressive fish or not?
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[JS]

I kept africans years ago. Recenly I bought Labs, Red zebras, peacocks and
Kenyii. I have 16 young fish in a 55. I have to large slates placed as
dividers - more appparent territory. I also bought little vases - 9 at the
dollar store. Chased africans don't like to go into a place with no back
door. I know this from the last time when I built a castle out of tiles.
They didn't use it until I moved it out from the back wall. So I used a
drill and masonary saw blade to get holes in the bottoms without lengthwisw
cracks. They are using the "caves' but not a lot.
This is cheap.

Question. I got two very dark purpple/blue africans with yellow/orange fins.
I had to return one becasue he always chased and even got the others riled
up to chase. The rest seem to be working out, but this may be because they
are not breeding size yet.

I do not agree you need a six foot tank. You can get more apparrent
territory by rock division and hiding places and many swimming routes around
plants. This all figures in reducing territory nervousness.


Jim S Cental NJ - by the way you can get small africans from 4 to $10 here.

"ponder" > wrote in message
...
>
> Ok, so help me here, I have a 50 gallon tank, gravel rocks plants lots of
> hiding spots, 2 redXreds I think they are both males, how do I tell, one
> yellow someting with darker stripes from top to bottom getting very
> fat(think it is female but of what), pair of electric blues, now the reds
> are fighting something bad, ripping each other up. I have seperated them.
> They grew all up together and I have never had this problem before. I am
> sorta new to cichlids, so excuss the namelessness of the breeds. the blues
> are breeding all the time.
>
>
> Mark > wrote in message
> ...
> > Wow! I think you might be over-generalizing just a bit in regards to
> > African cichlids. There are alot of species, they come from many
> > bodies of water, and have many different behavioral traits. I have
> > numerous (12 to be exact) 4-ft tanks with African cichlids and I don't
> > experience anywhere near the carnage you describe. A few of the tanks
> > are species-tanks that contain only Tropheus but most are community
> > tanks.
> >
> > If done correctly and with some thought, an African tank can be more
> > rewarding than most people think and losses are no more common than
> > with any other fish.
> >
> > --
> >
> >
> > Mark
> > http://www.cichliddomain.com
> >
> >
> > "Marc88" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > It doesn't matter if you bring the aggressive one back. If you do,
> > one or
> > > more of the other seemingly peaceful fish will take over. That is
> > the nature
> > > of an African cichlid tank. Pecking orders are established and the
> > top dogs
> > > will chase and harass the other tankmates. The best defense is 1) A
> > big
> > > tank. Like 6-10 feet. 2) Lots and lots of caves and hiding places.
> > 3)
> > > Overcrowd to distribute the aggression. 4)Keep temperatures at the
> > lower end
> > > of the safe range. 5)Feed lightly and often. Even with these
> > measures, you
> > > will still have to get used to a certain level of chasing/fighting
> > in your
> > > tank.
> > >
> > > IMO a typical 4-foot 55 gallon tank is inappropriate for African
> > cichlids.
> > > Most of the time, this size tank will be a rotating death generator
> > and you
> > > will find yourself visiting the pet store once a month to replace
> > those at
> > > the bottom of the pecking order who will typically 1) hide a lot, 2)
> > stop
> > > eating, and then 3) die.
> > >
> > > African cichlids can be seductive with their coloration and beauty.
> > But if
> > > you're after a peaceful serene fish tank, you picked the wrong fish.
> > >
> > > -Marc
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > "JEFFREY STREET" > wrote in message
> > > .net...
> > > > I bought a 55 gallon tank, set it up, bought 2 African cichlids
> > from
> > > Petland
> > > > Discounts (that is how they were labeled in their aquarium)...
> > later I
> > > > bought 5 more Africian Cichlids from a pure fish store and I know
> > there
> > > > names... I would like to know the names of the two I bought at
> > Petland..
> > > how
> > > > can I show photos here and would that help?
> > > >
> > > > Also, one is very very agression (one of the petland ones), he has
> > taken
> > > > over a cave in the rocks and runs every other fish (except Clyde
> > the 4 1/2
> > > > inch pleco) away... these are all baby fish, I know NetMAx usually
> > has
> > > good
> > > > advice as do others... please help, I don't know if I should
> > return the
> > > > super aggressive fish or not?
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>
>