Well i added 4 cichlids to my tank yesterday. They are my first fish. Im not sure what kind they are, but my hunch is african. I already had a plant in the tank but i noticed today that there are lots of little tiny holes developing on the leaves of the plant. Not sure what this is from. The pet store ive been going to doesnt have a clue so i really dont know the classification of anything in my tank. The good news is that the fish get along great and are already feeding and like the plants. The taller plant is the one with the promblem. Someone suggested snails but i dont think that is the problem. possibly the additives i added in for the cichilds.
Ph. above 7.6
water temp- ~78 f.
You can see some of the holes in the leaves here. Im open to any advice. Thanks!
Yep those are african cichlids. I think they're Orange Zebras, Metriaclima estherae. They found in Lake Malawi. They do best in hard high PH water (PH 8ish). They will get quite aggressive. Also they will eventually start destroying your plants.
African cichlids and plants just rarely works. I have SA cichlids(mids, convict, firemouth) and do ok... Also, the requirements of housing African cichlids is a bit more complicated. Malawi cichlids need groups, will easily hybridize, etc. They will eventually destroy your plants.
Because they actually grow them emmersed, or completely out of water (the plant/fish farms). It's nearly a scam, which frankly I sometimes can't believe isn't charged as false advertising.
Most pet stores don't even know this, my lfs in nj had no idea.. and didn't believe me until i showed the owner multiple websites.
I keep a long list of aquatic plants on my Ipod and my Iphone that I access if I have any questions about whether a plant is true aquatic or not. I find way to many are not aquatic
I think I might have been a bit hard on you. It is quite natural to assume at first that the store would give you good advice and that they would educate you on your purchases. I would say most LFS are better than what you experienced. Most LFS would warn an obvious newbie that african cichlids are not your run of the mill tropical fish. To not even tell you that it was an african cichlid that you bought is pretty bad.
A good LFS will try to size up a new customer and find out what tanks and experience they have before selling them anything.
totally true, we won't sell lace plants or anything exotic to a first time plant tanker.. It isn't our store policy but we kinda do it anyway... this way people don't get discouraged in the hobby.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
The Planted Tank Forum
3.5M posts
130.7K members
Since 2002
A forum community dedicated to Aquatic tank owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about flora, fauna, health, housing, filters, care, classifieds, and more!