Gold Sevrum - New Tank - NERVOUS :-)

[Bryankc]

Until yesterday, I had three four month old Gold Severums in a 33-gallon tall show tank. As small fish, they were happy in the tank and I never had major cycling problems (this time around). As the fish began to grow they began to become a little aggressive and very territorial. I learned that a 33-gallon tank (especially one designed like this one) was horrible for these fish. SOOO, I bought a 75-gallon tank.

Three days ago: I filled the tank, declorinated the water, added new gravel, heater, plants, driftwood, and an Emperor 400 filtration system. I also started a daily dose of Biozyme.

This morning: I drained 25-gallons from the new 75-gallon tank. Pumped in 25-gallons of water from the old tank. Moved the plastic plants and rocks from old tank to new tank with new stuff. Removed the filter from the old tank and put it in the extra holding slot in the EMperor 400 filtration system. Then carefully introduced my three Gold Severums to their new home. I also did another daily dose of Biozyme to the tank.

Considering these are four-month old severums (about 1.5 to 2 inches in length) and three are only three of them in this 75-gallon tank............

Am I:

Screwing up and killing the fish?
Did I do right in putting the old water in the new tank?
Is it an absloute fact that the fish will stress and develop ICH?
Will they be okay? (This is the one I really want to happen!)

I hope I did everything right!

Opinions are MORE THAN GREATLY APPRECIATED!

 

[juanveldez]

personally I would have left the tank to sit for about another week after adding all the stuff from the other tank in order to let the bacteria do what they are supposed to do.

 

[StiX]

personally I would have left the tank to sit for about another week after adding all the stuff from the other tank in order to let the bacteria do what they are supposed to do.

Got to agree, it was abit soon, but they should be ok

 

[smb]

Did you check your ammonia/nitrite levels? Like mentioned, it would have been best to wait a bit longer but that part's over and no sense in beating a dead horse.

I would do a 5% daily water change and skim the top of the gravel for any waste. It should be ok.

 

[Bryankc]

Thank you all for your advise. I wish I could have waited longer. As it was, I had two tanks in my breakfast nook (now called the "Fish Lounge" hehe) and with my time frame, I HAD to make the switch when I did. GRRR!

This morning, all three of then ate well and the smaller of the three (the one that they bully) swam right up to the glass to greet me like he does every moring. They are still somewhat twitchy, but much better than yesterday.

This afternoon I will do a small water change and add the Biozyme as usual.

If they are going to develop Ich... does anyboy have a guess as to how soon this might happen? I hope it doesn't. I never had a problem with ICH with this round of fish. The other tank had been medicated, water changed and then I waited for a couple of weeks before adding the new fish. They were thriving in the old in environment as I hope they will do even better in this larger "world". Eventually, I do want to add a bottom feeder of some sort, but I will take my time in doing this.

I hope I'm not wearing you all out with these questions!
Thank again for the help.

 

[smb]

Impossible to tell if and when they will get ich. IMO, if you do small daily water changes and feed sparingly for the next week, I think they'll be ok as far as your water params go. What's your temp at? I would shoot for 80F.

I hope I'm not wearing you all out with these questions!

Not at all. Ask as many as you want. That's why we're here.

 

[Bryankc]

Hmmm, I had been keeping the water at 78 degrees. You think I should edge it up to 80? One thing is for sure, I bought a submersible heater with this new tank and it seems to perform much better than the other. The smaller tank was acryllic and it was also somewhat difficult to maintain a constant temp.

 

[smb]

Nah, 78 is fine too.

I like the submersibles too. That way you can put it on the bottom and hide it with plants better.

 

[Bryankc]

MY GOD! The Severums actually came out for dinner tonight! Their meal consisted of baby peas and freeze-dried blood worms. Not their usual diet, but their favorite.

I hope they don't die....... I constantly think that I should have left them in the smaller tank, but they were fighting and I like all of them. Each one has it's own personality.......

The middle Severum came swimming out first tonight - he looked like a sitck of butter wtih fins. His colors are absolutely great! Also, he's never been this freindly till this move to this tank.

Everyone keep your fingers crossed........ I hope I don't lose them on this tank change...

This is Day TWO in their new home!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[missyintx_99]

I've personally never had a fish get Ich just because I moved them into a new tank so I would just deal with it if it happens and not worry about it otherwise.
I think it sounds like things are going good so far. My sev's are some really tough little guys, they aren't as fragile as angels or discus are and will tolerate more as you will find with most new world cichlids. And I've found that Sev's have great personality. Mine (I have 2, one green, one turquoise in 2 different tanks) alway come right up to the front of the tank to great me. They don't even get skittish when I open the tank lid to feed them. They stay right there and wait for me to drop the pellets in for them.

Great choice in fish you made there! Good luck!

 

[uptheiron]

Yeah mate, ive got 3 sevs, a green, a gold and a lutino. The green is called hulk and changes colour loads, when it gets close to feeding time it seems he firstly goes really light with dark bands, so he looks similar colours to a convict, then he goes all light, its pretty cool. These are really characterful fish, especially when they start to get bigger. my big one is about 5-6 inches and will feed from my hand, and spends most of the day just swimming around and holding all of his fins erect.