New Aquarium Owner - Help Needed

[ARH17]

Hello everyone I am new to this forum and I have a couple of questions and a few fish I want to identify if possible. 
 
I am also new to Aquariums as a whole as this is the first tank I've owned after buying it from a friend and my interest in tropical fish has grew from there, so if I sound like too much of a novice, that's because I am one  

 
I have a Juwel Trigon 190 Aquarium which consists of Malawi's and two other fish that I would like identifying, it has been set up for around 8 weeks now and I have had the water checked at my local Aquarium store and all is good according to them. 
 
When I bought the tank from a friend he also included around 6 Malawis with it but I was told the size of the tank required a lot of more fish so I went out and bought another 6, sadly I have had a few fish die on me since starting the tank which is now starting to worry me as I actually went out yesterday and bought 5 more Malawi's and 2 have them have died already? The one's that have died have been a orange and a white colour (I will post pictures below) which I bought to add more colour to the tank, and now they have died within 1 day, could there be a reason for this? 
 
I have taken a few pictures which will give you an idea of the set up, I would also like some advice on how to smarten the tank up because I am not a fan of the cheap ornaments and fake plants and rocks etc, even pictures of peoples own set ups would give me a lot of ideas. 
 
Also since I have this tank I have not done a water change or filter change so if I could get some advice on how to maintain my tank that would be great. 
 
 
Here are the fish: 
 
1

 
2

 
3

 
4

 
5

 
6

 
7

 
8

 
9


 
10 (these are the two fish that have died since yesterday?!?)

 
11

 
 
There are a few more fish which look exactly like number 3 & 7 so I thought there was no point in taking even more pictures, plus it's hard to take good pictures when they're constantly moving  
 
I have also noticed the white spots on the fish number 9 (need to know the name of this fish and number 5 please)  is there anything I should be worried about? If so, what can I do to cure it? 
 
Help and advice would be great as I'm a beginner and I need to start learning from somewhere!   
 
 
Aaron

 

[sawickib]

Number 9 is a synodontis eruptus to me, number 5 is a red blood parrot I think, and the rest are definitely species of African cichlid I think just don't know cichlids very well.
What's your water parameters? Ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates and pH

 

[ARH17]

Thanks for your reply, I have just Googled Synodontis Eruptus and I think you're right, I also noticed on some of the pictures from Google they also have white spots on them, is this normal or should I still be concerned? 
 
Also are they OK with the Parrot and the Cichlids? In fact is the Parrot OK to be in the same tank as the Cichlids? 
 
As for my water parameters I am not so sure, I usually take a sample of the water down to my local aquarium store and they check the water for me and they told me yesterday my water is absolutely fine?

 

[sawickib]

The white spots on yours are most likely injuries, good water parameters will heal it. Although a 50 gallon tank is to small for it and you should look into rehousing it.

Ummm not sure about the blood parrot never kept one or cichlids so you will have to wait for someone experienced to come along.

Most likely the problem with the tank is ammonia spikes and is killing your fish.

Did you keep all the old filter media when you got the tank? It would be a good idea to do a 50-75% water change as well.

As for a more natural tank, I'd look into plants like Java fern, Anubis, Java moss, and Marino moss balls, with some slate stone, and you should definitely switch to all sand for the cichlids. The java fern and Anubis can be attached to slate along with the java moss, rooted plants might be uprooted because they like to dig.

 

[ARH17]

The white spots on yours are most likely injuries, good water parameters will heal it. Although a 50 gallon tank is to small for it and you should look into rehousing it.

Ummm not sure about the blood parrot never kept one or cichlids so you will have to wait for someone experienced to come along.

Most likely the problem with the tank is ammonia spikes and is killing your fish.

Did you keep all the old filter media when you got the tank? It would be a good idea to do a 50-75% water change as well.

As for a more natural tank, I'd look into plants like Java fern, Anubis, Java moss, and Marino moss balls, with some slate stone, and you should definitely switch to all sand for the cichlids. The java fern and Anubis can be attached to slate along with the java moss, rooted plants might be uprooted because they like to dig.

Damn I actually liked the Synodontis Eruptus it's a pretty cool fish, although it hardly ever swims around, just stays behind a rock all the time. 
 
How do I get rid of the ammonia spikes? Surely when I had my water tested yesterday they would of told me about this Ammonia? 
 
What do you mean about old filter media? When we bought the tank we kept the same filter if that's what you're asking? All we did is a water change because we had to empty the tank before transporting it back to my house. 
 
Thanks for all the plant suggestions, I will be looking into it and I am definitely getting sand, I can't stand the cheap stones and gravel look! 

 

[sawickib]

You get rid of ammonia with large water changes, I just don't suspect anything else is killing your fish, what markings or info do you have on the fish before they die?

The old filter media is the stuff with in the filter, don't ever remove unless it's falling apart, but even then you leave it in until you have a good majority on the new pad.

Setting up cool slate stone structures can allow the cichlids to establish territories and feel more safe and less aggressive to one another.
How many fish do you have in the tank? If you get rid of the eruptus and maybe some cichlids I think you can have a few other species of synodontis. Like 2-3 Synodontis ocellifer or 2-3 Synodontis multipunctatus.

You can look here http/www.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=830+831 to figure out some of the species of the cichlids you have. I would re-home the red blood parrot as well I don't think it's very compatible with African cichlids, but still not 100% on that.

 

[ARH17]

Looks like I will be doing a 75% water change this weekend then! There were no signs of the fish dying, especially the 2 new fish which have died today (the white and orange one) and I only purchased them yesterday it's just very weird. 
 
In that case yes the old filter media was included and hasn't been removed since, so will I not need to change the filter when changing the water? How often should I do a water change after I do this 75% water change? 
 
I would say I have  
 
1x Parrot
1x Synodontis Eruptus
9x Malawi's 
 
I was told to over stock the Malawi's to stop the aggression but obviously something is making the fish die, I don't want to add anymore fish until I find out why they're dying, but I hope no more die on me, although my new gold Malawi keeps going sideways? Is that a sign of another death? 
 
I think you're right about the Parrot as well, although when I had a look on the internet some people have managed to keep the Parrot and Malawi's in the same tank
 
Thanks for all your help so far and sorry for all the Q's 

 

[sawickib]

You only need to clean the filter media once a month in aquarium water in a bucket, after the 75% do 25% weekly water changes.

The side ways fish most likely will die, not usual for cichlids to swim sideways sorry.

To lessen their aggression I'd look into making a lot of caves with slate stone.

We'll feel free to try the parrot I have no experience with them so I don't know.

All the questions are fine haha it's why you came on here and it's why I'm here

 

[ARH17]

You only need to clean the filter media once a month in aquarium water in a bucket, after the 75% do 25% weekly water changes.

The side ways fish most likely will die, not usual for cichlids to swim sideways sorry.

To lessen their aggression I'd look into making a lot of caves with slate stone.

We'll feel free to try the parrot I have no experience with them so I don't know.

All the questions are fine haha it's why you came on here and it's why I'm here

 OK thanks for making that clear 
 
The side ways fish is also another fish I purchased yesterday, this really don't make sense, unless I was so unlucky to pick 5 fish that were already dying then I really am having bad luck 

 
My next problem would be where do I keep the fish whilst I create a new layout in the tank? It would probably make sense for me to do it whilst I do the 75% water change wouldn't it? Do I just put the fish in a big bucket with there water whilst I do it? 
 
I'm not really a fan of the parrot anyway, it will probably end up back at the store 
 
That's true, I would have no idea what to do if it wasn't for this! 

 

[sawickib]

Yea it is possible all the fish were sick, I recently bought 6 sterbai cories, that came in fresh still in there bag at the pet store, by the time I got home they were all dead.

You can keep all the fish in a bucket with a airstone, and yes you can do it during the 75% but if your gonna take the fish out might as well do a 100% water change.

Yea I don't really like parrots either TBH

 

[ARH17]

Yea it is possible all the fish were sick, I recently bought 6 sterbai cories, that came in fresh still in there bag at the pet store, by the time I got home they were all dead.

You can keep all the fish in a bucket with a airstone, and yes you can do it during the 75% but if your gonna take the fish out might as well do a 100% water change.

Yea I don't really like parrots either TBH

I must be really unlucky then, because these fish are not cheap! 

 
OK that's fine I have a airstone so no worries there, and regarding the 100% water change does that not mean you will need to cycle the tank again? I've never really understood the full water change because I've spent so many weeks getting the water to be good so how does a 100% water change benefit for the good? 
 
I will stop asking questions... soon.. 

 

[Ninjouzata]

Do you have a test kit? If so, what kind? You'll want a liquid one so you can keep an eye on your water parameters without having to rely on the shop. They usually use test strips which are known for being inaccurate.
 
Unfortunately I know as much about cichlids as Saw The parrot is a cichlid but I don't think it is meant to be kept with the other kinds you have.
 
I just want to make double sure..when you clean the filter media, like Saw said, clean it in your tank water. Do not rinse it using tap water.
This contains most of your bacteria. The rest are on hard surfaces like decorations and substrate, not the water.
 
Have a read of THIS to understand more about the nitrogen cycle. It will help explain what we're on about with the water parameters.
 

to TFF btw, hope you enjoy it here!

 

[sawickib]

Yea it sucks to have fish die but I think it's happened to all of us.

It's alright haha, beneficial bacteria only attaches to hard surfaces, so like in your substrate and your filter media, (changing the substrate won't matter) so the 100% water change will only get rid of all the nitrates and ammonia. So to answer your question no it will still be cycled, just make sure the filter media stays damp during this.
My bad there is quite a bit of bacteria in your substrate but you do need to change it, just don't add fish for like a week afterwards.

 

[ARH17]

Do you have a test kit? If so, what kind? You'll want a liquid one so you can keep an eye on your water parameters without having to rely on the shop. They usually use test strips which are known for being inaccurate.
 
Unfortunately I know as much about cichlids as Saw

The parrot is a cichlid but I don't think it is meant to be kept with the other kinds you have.
 
I just want to make double sure..when you clean the filter media, like Saw said, clean it in your tank water. Do not rinse it using tap water.
This contains most of your bacteria. The rest are on hard surfaces like decorations and substrate, not the water.
 
Have a read of THIS to understand more about the nitrogen cycle. It will help explain what we're on about with the water parameters.
 

to TFF btw, hope you enjoy it here!

No I don't have any kits, I just usually take my water to the Aquarium store and they test my water for me? If you could recommend a kit then I would look into it Also when buying a kit how many times can you test the water with that kit? If that makes sense 

 
I knew about cleaning the filter in the tank water, if that's all I know, at least its something  
 
I will have a read and thanks! 

 

Yea it sucks to have fish die but I think it's happened to all of us.

It's alright haha, beneficial bacteria only attaches to hard surfaces, so like in your substrate and your filter media, (changing the substrate won't matter) so the 100% water change will only get rid of all the nitrates and ammonia. So to answer your question no it will still be cycled, just make sure the filter media stays damp during this.
My bad there is quite a bit of bacteria in your substrate but you do need to change it, just don't add fish for like a week afterwards.

 
Last question.. promise.. 

 
How do I make sure the filter media stays damp during the water change? 
 
Thanks for all your help though, I'm 1000% more knowledgeable than I was 2 hours ago 

 

[Ninjouzata]

API is a popular brand. Their website says 800 tests. I think Nutrafin is another. 
 
You can keep the filter media damp by keeping it in a bucket of tank water. Even better if you can run an airstone in the bucket.
 
Also like Saw said, ask as many questions as you want! That's what we're here for