I'm replying just in case you are for real...
my husband and I started
a 26 gallon bow aquarium up with some cichlids. We have 2 dolphins, 2
yellow labs, 2 zebra and 1 I forget the name.

26 gallons is nowhere near enough for these guys, 75 minimum for the zebs
and dolphins(I'd like more for the dolphins really) the labs could get by in
a 3 footer.


As for aggression, depending on the 'forget the name' my money is on the
zeb(s) being the sole survivor(s) (if they are both male then I'm not sure
either will survive)

Like hundreds of them in a year. Does this mean we're going
to have tons of these little guys in the tank??? Good heavens, I
can't imagine.

If you leave the fry in with the adults (should they breedin a tank that
size) they wont last long

Another question - the number of fish that we have. I have read that
it's more important to have a much long tank rather than a tall one
and ours is 24 long x 18 high. Do you think that as they get older
we're going to have a problem?

they like a long wide tank. most of them will prefer the bottom/middle area
and will most likley only go to the top third to eat or to aviod being
attacked.

Thanks and I'm sorry that I'm so obviously a newbie here but I joined
the list to get some information and learn and I'm willing to take
advice.

I think it would have been a far better tank for shell dwellers or dwarf
julies.

Have a look at http://www.cichlid-forum.com/article...cutter_10g.php
www.cichlidrecipe.com/cichlidrecipe/crp22.htm (while you're there look at
the shell dwellers sub site they have, maybe the aquarium will let you trade
the fish you got back for some of them.