75 Gallon Tank Disaster...

[Tupac003]

Well, Im sure this is the right place, since I need to know RIGHT away what I should do. I recently upgraded from a 30 gallon tank to a 75 gallon tank and bought a couple new fish. I orignally set the tank up for a polypterus delhezi and then noticed that I have this huge tank and only one fish, so I went out and bought another Polypterus, this time a senagallus. When I was there I also seen a african butterfly fish and got that with some floating plants also. The senagallus and the butterfly fish both use one floating plant and sometimes sleep on/beside each other so thats not problem, and the delhezi is pretty anti-social and just hides in the bottom where its not visible. I then bought two angelfish, and one just died today . I then went to the pet store to check if they had anymore and to get crickets for my butterfly fish. They are getting an order next week, so I was looking around the tanks and noticed the most adorable chiclid (Metriaclima estherae) and had to get her. She (I believe its a she since its a yellow-orangish colour) its only about 3 or so inches big and constanstly chases my angelfish around the tank. I can already notice a difference in the angelfishs behaviour as its going places it hasnt before, and runs whenever the chiclid is near. So my question is... Should I wait to get my other angelfish and they will be fine when there is two? Or take the chiclid back (Even though I love it)? Or take the angelfish away from that tank that its been in for 2 weeks or so and put it in a whole different tank with another angelfish?... I dont know what to do and need help as soon as possible

 

[Colin_T]

Metriaclima estherae are African rift lake cichlids that come from hard alkaline water. Most rift lake cihlids are agro compared to angelfish so they should be kept in seperate tanks. I would get rid of the M. estherae

 

[Tupac003]

Metriaclima estherae are African rift lake cichlids that come from hard alkaline water. Most rift lake cihlids are agro compared to angelfish so they should be kept in seperate tanks. I would get rid of the M. estherae

Thanks for the reply What do you mean when you say agro compared to angelfish ? And would the M. estherae be good in a 30 gallon tank, would it get lonely? and rougly how much time do I have until I HAVE to remove the Cichlid, because I wont be able to get anything for the tank until tomarrow around 3pm, unless I can do it between my classes at like 11am

 

[Colin_T]

M. estherae are nasty and kill angelfish
Small specimens aren't too bad but when they mature they will kick hell out of weaker fish like angels. They are in a group called mbuna, and all mbuna are obnoxious towards each other and other types of cichlids. They should be ok until tomorrow but I would keep a real close eye on them. Otherwise put one in a bucket or breeding net to keep them separate.

The M. estherae will live in a 30g tank. Most cichlids are territorial so it wouldn't get lonely as such. But it might like to breed. A 30g might be a bit too small to keep a group in, but a pr would probably be ok. Unfortunately they aren't that easy to sex so most people buy a group of young fish and grow them up. Then you end up with a dominant male and a group of females, (everyone else gets killed).
If you just plan on keeping the one M. estherae, then put it in the 30g if there is no-one else living in that tank. Then you can keep it and the angelfish happy and safe

 

[Tupac003]

M. estherae are nasty and kill angelfish
Small specimens aren't too bad but when they mature they will kick hell out of weaker fish like angels. They are in a group called mbuna, and all mbuna are obnoxious towards each other and other types of cichlids. They should be ok until tomorrow but I would keep a real close eye on them. Otherwise put one in a bucket or breeding net to keep them separate.

The M. estherae will live in a 30g tank. Most cichlids are territorial so it wouldn't get lonely as such. But it might like to breed. A 30g might be a bit too small to keep a group in, but a pr would probably be ok. Unfortunately they aren't that easy to sex so most people buy a group of young fish and grow them up. Then you end up with a dominant male and a group of females, (everyone else gets killed).
If you just plan on keeping the one M. estherae, then put it in the 30g if there is no-one else living in that tank. Then you can keep it and the angelfish happy and safe

Thanks so much for the reply Nothing else is living in the 30g tank, but I would have to set it up again and buy new stuff (I have no problem with that), But I just feel bad taking it from the 75g tank to the 30g tank because the 75g tank is much better and I would feel bad leaving it alone since I always think they would get lonely lol I was thinking of returning him to the place where I got it but would feel horrible doing so and I like the look of it so much. Bah, I dont know what to do.

 

[Colin_T]

you could always get a double tier stand for the 75g tank. Then have one tank on top with the birchirs in, and the tank below with the cichlids in. You would use the same amount of space you currently are, and get two tanks, one for peaceful fish, and one for agro fish.
Mind you some people have done that and ended up divorced so if you are married it might be an idea to check with the other half

You could keep the M. estherae in the 30g and use water and some filter media from the 75g to set up the smaller tank. Then when you have more time, get a bigger tank and set it up with a group of estherae in.

 

[Tupac003]

Haha, Seems like a good idea, but im only 16 and still in school so I dont really have a source of income, only thing I get money from is that my parents own a store here in ontario. I didnt really want to move the polypterus, just the angels or the cichlid. Im thinking of returning to cichlid, but will have a hard time giving such a beautiful fish up.