My First Cichlid Tank !

[Stonker]

About a year ago I setup a marine reef tank, and it has been a huge success. Whilst browsing fish shops, I became tempted to setup a new African Cichlid tank, so I did.
After cycling etc, I slowly introduced the following inmates:
2x Red Head Cichlids
2x Jack Dempseys
1x Red Jewel
I also have on other large Cichlid which I have embarassingly forgotten the name of. (Large white/yellow in colour, large red bump on forehead) I will post some pics later !!

Anyway, just saying hello, and I thought I'd ask about food. I feed a selection of pellets, forzen Mysis/crushed Mussel/Crushed cockle. Is there any other foods which you think they would enjoy? They also feast upon the greens I supply for the Plec

 

[africantigerfish7]

What size is this tank? In that particular stock, the dempseys will most likely terrorize the other fish, especially the red jewel. If by redheads you mean firemouths, they usually hold their own. Also keeping only two of one species unless they are a pair usually isn't a good idea, as one usually gets bullied and the other eventually dies.
The food sounds great for these cichlids. Good luck with the tank !

 

[Stonker]

It's actually the other way round, the jewel is harassing the Dempsey's !
The tank is 6ft

 

[Stonker]

It's a Geophagus steindachneri

 

[dthoffsett]

I would love to see pics of your tank, sounds interesting. You might want to try posting in the New World cichlids sections, I don't believe any of your fish except for the jewel are africans.

 

[Mr. Convict]

Lol, different fish have different temperments.. maybe u got mild dempseys and an aggressive jewel..

But like barracuda said, you shouldn't keep just 2 of each fish unless they're a pair, as one would get bullied and die, and although i dont know the size of your fish, i'm guessing u have some space for more.. but that's up to you..

The food seems ok, just remember to stay away from feeding them worms

Good luck with ur first cichlid tank, get some pics and post em here!

 

[BiffMalawi]

My only concedrn is that african and american cichlids have different water requirements, PH especially. I would check up on their compatibility in that regard. You got a big tank there and cichlids rock. Have fun.

 

[africantigerfish7]

My only concedrn is that african and american cichlids have different water requirements, PH especially. I would check up on their compatibility in that regard. You got a big tank there and cichlids rock. Have fun.

Actually all those cichlids are quite hardy and will do well in a tank with a ph of 7.0 .

 

[Stonker]

Interesting point. I didn't realise they were from different erm.. climates?
The bloke in the LFS should have known that, he knew what I had. They've been very good so far as well.
Saying that, they had the usual "Buy two for £**", which isn't very good if you're not supposed to keep two together, they said they were too small to pair.

So let me get this straight... All of the Cichlids are American apart from the Jewel? That might be why he's so angry !

 

[Stonker]

I tried to take a few, I'm not very good at it unfortunately! The Geophagus is quite elusive today.

 

[Stonker]

Can somebody move this to "New World" section for me please?
Thanks