Adding Juvie Cichlids To Tank

[mikey028]

I have a south american 60 gallon tank, and I have all Juvies in there. All the fish are about 3-4 inches each. I recently added two new fish. An inch long tiny black convict and a 1/2 inch long tiny firemouth. These fish are really small, but the convict isnt small enough to get eaten, but the firemouth is. I have him in a 10 gallon tank with a total of about 7 inches of fish in there to grow in. I have the convict in the 60. He is always hiding and never feeds so I installed a breeder net into the tank and moved him in there. I wanted to know if I could do the same for my firemouth. Or should I just move them both to my 10 gallon community? I'm confused on what to do with these guys because if I put them in the 60 theyll get bullied or killed, but if I put them in the 10, it might overstoock my tank. The thing is, my 10 gallon has only been running for 1 week. But the 60 has been running for 3 months. What should I do, I desperately need help!!!

 

[kaivalagi]

Take some media from the 60 gallon and use it in the 10 gallon's filter to help that tank along...regardelsss if not cycled I'd be changing water daily! The fish may have more cahnce in the big tank than the small one?

Can you tell us what other fish you have in the 60G tank, otherwise we won't know whether they are in danger or not

 

[mikey028]

60 gallon:
3.5 inch JD,
4 inch angelfish,X2
5 inch pleco,
3 inch molly,
4 inch bala shark,
6 inch peacock eel,
5 inch african brown knife,
red clawed crab,
african dwarf frog,
4 inch sun catfish(very friendly)
4.5 inch Electric Blue African Cichlid(I know, I know, but I got it as a gift, can't return him)

10 gallon has about 4 tetras(all about 1 inch-1.5 inch) and a zebra danio(1 inch but very slim)

Filters are not the same size, so the filter media will not fit.

 

[kaivalagi]

Filters are not the same size, so the filter media will not fit.

You can cut a piece to size, you just need some to kickstart the new filter proper

Looking at your stocking it's making me dizzy, I *think* you have too much in that tank, both in terms of long term adult sizing and the sheer variety...to add to that is a bit much IMHO...

I certainly wouldn't put small juvie anything in there, the catfish, crab, eel and maybe others would pose a risk

 

[mikey028]

Yes, the list does look overstocked, but it really isn't if you saw it. It's also overfiltered big time, and the fish and water conditions are great.

So, should I keep them in a breeder net or grow them in the 10 gallon tank?

 

[codheadjohn]

Yes, the list does look overstocked, but it really isn't if you saw it. It's also overfiltered big time, and the fish and water conditions are great.

So, should I keep them in a breeder net or grow them in the 10 gallon tank?

It's not overstocked now, but a lot of the fish have quite a bit of growing to do, and it will maybe be a bit crowded then. Also Bala sharks like to be in groups.

How does the frog get on? They're supposed to be hard to feed when in with fish as they're very slow to respond to food.

Crab would definitely try to eat the juvies if it got the chance

 

[mikey028]

Well the jd I will probably end up selling when he is full grown if it gets to be a problem, and maybe get a couple bala sharks in his place. The frogs aren't doing so well. Theyve been living in therecsince I first got the tank and one just got eaten by the jd and the other one got grabbed by the crab but he somehow wriggled out of it. I might move him to the 10. I didn't earlier because this was never a problem, but suddenly everyone in the tank want to eat the frog. So, I don't recommend it unless you have peaceful fish.

 

[kaivalagi]

I think the real point to make here is that you really need to read up on the subject before jumping in with both feet,having crabs, frogs and fish altogether normally ends in problems and most will advise against it

Yes, if you have a massive well decorated tank it could work but in a 60 gallon with that much variety I doubt it very much.

If it were me I would be thinking of rehoming the frog, crab and african cichlid before looking at new fish, but that's me...your tank your call

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[GShorty1981]

That tank is going to get crazy overstocked later on, Bala Sharks are a no-no in a 60 gallon anyway because they need to be in groups and they can hit 16" per fish!

The JD will eat the Molly,frog and crab and out compete/kill the Angel's.

Not sure on peacock eels because never kept one, but most Eels get huge.

plus the Convict will become a problem and the Con + Firemouth are not south American, they are Centrals.