Fish - Adapting To Different Conditions.

[SamUK]

theres certain fish we say shouldnt be kept together because of the different requirements with there water.

african and new world cichlids are the best example of this as they both hail from a different PH.

does that really all matter tho?


i mean, the fish (unless wild caught) have been kept in aquariums and surely they would of adapted to that PH by now?


im struggling to explain what i mean.....


basically, surely you could mix those fish without any ill effect now because they would be used to normal aquarium water and not from there natural lakes or rivers (cos theyve never been there.)

 

[Cheffi]

theres certain fish we say shouldnt be kept together because of the different requirements with there water.

african and new world cichlids are the best example of this as they both hail from a different PH.

does that really all matter tho?


i mean, the fish (unless wild caught) have been kept in aquariums and surely they would of adapted to that PH by now?


im struggling to explain what i mean.....


basically, surely you could mix those fish without any ill effect now because they would be used to normal aquarium water and not from there natural lakes or rivers (cos theyve never been there.)

Well in my ignorance I would have assumed that these breeders of whatever type of fish would have made sure their water parameters were correct for the fish they breed. So if they needed a high ph they would make sure it's adjusted and if requiring a low ph etc adjusted accordingly. Which would mean you can't just chuck any fish into any water surely? But what do I know I'm only a beginner

 

[SamUK]

yea thats a good point but i dont think even breeders can/would replicate it exactly and overtime the conditions would change to more towards the standard water conditions.

the shops where i buy my malawis from dont have any crushed coral or anything to raise the PH in there tank.


im not saying ive mixed my fish or anything.


im jus wondering if mixing isnt as bad as we think.

 

[jayjay]

the lake cichlids would be to aggressive for the american cichlids though or the other way round and something would end up being killed?

 

[Cheffi]

the lake cichlids would be to aggressive for the american cichlids though or the other way round and something would end up being killed?

I'm assuming the whole point of this little 'discussion' is not putting which agressive fish with each other but the 'water' differences between fish. Obviously sam is a little bored today

Anyway getting back to what you said maybe your lfs already has a high ph and doesn't need to add crushed coral? I have high ph here which is why I'm going for Malawi but ideally I want Discus one day which require lower ph and therefore I wouldn't keep them until I knew what I was doing with the fish that are ideally suited to my water.

 

[SamUK]

thats not always the case tho.


seems to be down to which side of the bed the cichlid got out off.


im jus thinking cos theres been plenty of times when people have had mixed tanks that worked perfectly but weve still told them they shouldnt have it cos its bad for the fish etc.

jus wondering if that was really neccesary.

 

[Cheffi]

thats not always the case tho.


seems to be down to which side of the bed the cichlid got out off.


im jus thinking cos theres been plenty of times when people have had mixed tanks that worked perfectly but weve still told them they shouldnt have it cos its bad for the fish etc.

jus wondering if that was really neccesary.

Sam are we discussing water parameters here or different agression levels in different species?

 

[SamUK]

well im talking about water parameters mainly.

i kno that that is also something that needs to be taken into account but im jus wondering about the water side.


i was thinking i should of sed aggression and behaviour aside.

 

[kanzaris]

Hi All

When I first got my 100 gal I changed to keeping Malawi Cichlids (15 Years ago). In my stupidity I did not do much research and there where no fish forums with people to tell you its wrong. I kept Malawis together with South Americans and they both need completely different water conditions. Suppose I was lucky.

Sabby

 

[Ginge]

Sam i see what you onto here mate but id think that its best not to because of what cheffi said in the first respone as hopefully these fish havent been made to adapt to live in different water conditions. Also at your LFS they might do it with chemicals or they might not bother as they only have the fish for a mater of weeks.

 

[SamUK]

im not thinking of doing it myself.


jus wondered if all the times we had told people about the different water conditions... if they even matter now.


and thinking about it more cheffis point is a good one.

i still wish there was some way we could no for sure but as the effects are supposed to be more long term i guess its hard to tell.

 

[heather]

well what i cant understand is that when i went to a garden centre they had a albino oscar and catfish and all typees of breed of malawis together they seem to manage it and they have been like that for well over a yaer as its there display tank ,, i must admitt i rescued a yellow lab from being flushed down the toilet before and he had to go with my oscars too rather that then down the loo ,, he has gone to a malawi set up now but we never had any problems at all ,, i wouldnt like to mix a tank but i think it just depends on the other fish temprement ,, that yellow lab was well cheecky and funny i miss him too ,,

 

[Tolak]

Many fish can adapt to & breed in different water conditions than are found in their natural environment. I breed angels in hard water with a pH of 7.6 to 7.8. Some fish this works with, others it doesn't. Discus are a good example, they can be acclimated to my water, and will spawn in it. The spawn won't hatch out, they need softer water with a lower pH, as they grow out they can be slowly acclimated to the harder water with a higher pH. This is the main reason buying locally bred fish ends up with better results, they have lived their whole life in the same water as you are using.

The only experience I have with keeping old world & new world cichlids toghether is a tank with a good size angel & a couple of kribs. They got along without any problem. Besides water condition differences, the body languge differences with new world & old world cichlids are different. One cichlid won't recognize the body language of another, & won't have a chance to duck & cover until the attack happens.