New Fish But Found Out Its A Big Bully :(

[fish_mania]

I've got 2 firemouths 1 female and 1 male in a 20 gallon tank, 108 litres. Today i thought it would be a good idea to buy a new fish...

I forgot what type of fish it is but its a cichlid and it has a purple head. At first the 2 firemouths were pushing it around but now the new fish is a complete bully and the male firemouth's fins were perfect but now they're all ripped

Separated the tank in half so the new fish is on its own. What else can i do because now the firemouths are just in a really bad condition?

 

[Cheffi]

Take it back?

 

[black angel]

yup, take it back. i think the 20 gallon is too small for two firemouths as well.

 

[saboy]

Yea, the best is to take it back, and also maybe a get a bigger tank while you at it !


Its is really the best thing to do for the firemouths, they need about a 30 gallon and up !

 

[fish_mania]

Thx for the ideas guys, i don't think the shop will take it back but i'll ask. The tank looks huge for the firemouths though!! They seem really happy in a 20 gallon tank!

 

[furryrabbit]

is 108 liters = 20 gals ?, i didnt think so. 84liters is equal to 20 u.s. gals

 

[fish_mania]

is 108 liters = 20 gals ?, i didnt think so. 84liters is equal to 20 u.s. gals

No its right! I measured it using a fish book!!

 

[Ferris]

Sounds like it needs to go back, you really need to research fish before adding them to a tank containing cichlids as there are more bad combinations than good. This is a guess but there are a lot of Mbuna (African cichlids) that have a purple head and they are far more aggressive than FM's and would be a disastorous mix.

108 litres = 28 US gal but is closer to 20 UK gal.

 

[fish_mania]

Thx!!!! I'll try taking it back. I did ask at my lfs and they said it would be fine to combine them but obviously not!!!

 

[Ferris]

Never trust your LFS

Sorry thats not entirely true but always do your own research just to be on the safe side and avoid those impulse buys (not always easy i know )

I wouldn't add anything else to your 20 gal by the way, which will really be too small for 2 adult FM's but should be fine for the time being if they are juveniles.

 

[fish_mania]

Thx, the firemouths seem to be coping for now but the new fish is trying to get to them. The lfs said it might take them a while to get used to it so hopefully they'll sotp fighting!!!

 

[Ferris]

If you can get a pic, we can try and id the new fish for you.

 

[trout750]

Thx!!!! I'll try taking it back. I did ask at my lfs and they said it would be fine to combine them but obviously not!!!

you should only feed bloodworm as a treat, you need to include over food like tetra doromin or tetra pro flake food or another good quality staple food.
the bloodworm has no essensial vitimins or minerals which is important to your fishs health.

 

[fish_mania]

i'll try but it might not be done until tommorow!!

 

[Ferris]

OK, i'll keep an eye out for an update.