MORE QUESTIONS on Cichlids

[TAF CAF]

Please check new questions at the end of thread...
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Okay... I have looked up the varieties of Cichlids in question, and they all have compatible PH and hardness ranges.

But... I remember once someone told me never to mix African with South American?

Is this true, and if so, why?

[Sponsors]

[bigstick120]

If you are thinking of starting to get into cichlids the best advice that I can give you is to research ALOT here is a start if you havent found it yet http://www.cichlid-forum.com/

Most Africans like a higher PH,GH,KH Alkaline for one and the SA like it Acidic and soft. You dont want to mix them for sure. Most cichlids are very aggressive and will kill each other. They are for the most part expensive and not something that you will enjoy. Do you research on the species before you do anything

[keitone]

Its generally not a good idea to mix new and old world cichlids. You might have short term success, but you will eventually have problems. Then again with a large enough tank many unorthadox things would work.

[TAF CAF]

Thanks for the advices.... and the quick responses, too.

[epicfish]

Originally Posted by TAF CAF

Thanks for the advices.... and the quick responses, too.

What can you expect? The topic had "EMERGENCY" in it! =)

[TAF CAF]

Well, despite my slower response... it really was an emergency....

Let me just put it this way... fish auction.... husband........ cichlids going for $1 for a bag of 6, or a set of mated cichs.

Now you can't tell me that you wouldn't have ended up with an assortment of cichlids that you didn't know what to do with. LOL

[Ibn]

You can mix the two but depends on the species. African cichlids aren't confined to fishes from the three more well known lakes.

For instance take a look at Pelvicachromis species and also Anomalochromis thomasi.

[Canoe2Can]

Ibn raises an excellent point. When most people talk about African cichlids, they're really talking about African Rift cichlids from the East African lakes. All those species thrive in hard, alkaline waters. But West African cichlids like Pelvivachromis like soft water, same as most South American species. In terms of water parameters, African Rift cichlids are much more compatible with Central American species, though not necessarily in terms of temperament. As much as possible, it's best to keep cichlids from one region together. And also best not to have too many different species together except with the African Rift cichlids which thrive in large, mixed communities.

[epicfish]

Originally Posted by TAF CAF

Well, despite my slower response... it really was an emergency....

Let me just put it this way... fish auction.... husband........ cichlids going for $1 for a bag of 6, or a set of mated cichs.

Now you can't tell me that you wouldn't have ended up with an assortment of cichlids that you didn't know what to do with. LOL

lol, fish auction? Wha? Where?

[TAF CAF]

Jup, I hear the Colorado Fish Association will be having another in spring. Got some $20 fish food cans for $2, and a whole pound of spirulina flake for $3! Lots of great deals, including 3 types of Jungle tablet buddies and the all in one test strips together for only $2! Also got a brand new 150 watt stealth heater for $12 and a 5 gallon tank with glass lid for $3.

And hubby just couldn't resist on a large rafael cat... $6, and cichlids going for $1 for a bag of 6!

I do have to admit, I did get a couple sets of dafodil cichlids and their parents for $1, too.

[TAF CAF]

Okay... will try to keep my questions here...

Food.

I tried the cichlid pellets... they float. Not too much of a problem, except that the fish don't. Well... float that is. Theya re all staying at the lower 1/3 of the tank and don't want to come up for the food.

So, I sunk some flake food down to them and they all LOVED it.... but it got me to thinking... I have never seen flake food made for cichlids... so should I not be feeding it to them?

[briandmiles]

Get some sinking pellets

Brian

[TAF CAF]

So will the flake food be bad for them? I have a little trial pack of sinking pellets, but the the ones in the upper part of the bottom 1/3 don't seem to find them on the bottom.

I don't suppose there is any kind of mid-level pellet for them?

[briandmiles]

I feed my Rams tetra cichlid granules. They float on the surface for a while and then slowly sink to the bottom. All of my fish like them. Oh, yeah, the flake food is fine as long as they can get enough.

Brian

[TAF CAF]

Cool and thanks.

Next question.... I have heard (from who knows where) that feeding meaty foods can make the fish even meaner than they would otherwise be.

Is this at all correct? And would frozen brine shrimp and blood worms be considered 'meaty', and is it good or bad for their agressiveness to give them live fish to eat, like guppies?