New To The World Of African Cichlids

[MrMagoo]

I am testing to see if I can handle Chiclids. I plan on a 55 or 75 gallon tank in 6 months or so. Right now I have 3 tiny Chiclids and one Dinosaur eel. When I bought the Chiclids I was dumb and bought some not knowing what kind they are except they are asorted. I have one blue, yellow, and orange. The Dino eel is very small too so no worries on it eating them. The dino eel is supost to be awake at night but oh no he loves the day. So when I feel the Chiclids he wants food too. So he got one of the little pellets in his mouth and let go. My yellow Chiclid grabed it and the Dinosaur eel bit him for 5 seconds or so and wouldn't let go. He is scared stiff but nothing else is out of the ordinary. I have Lace rock for hidding also. What can I do or is nothing wrong?

 

[darrel69]

Can you get any pictures so we can ID your cichlids ?

Also, i dont know much about dino eel's and i know you say your dino eel is only small at the moment but dont they eat live foods including guppies ? that might be a problem for any young cichlids you have when he/she is older... dunno though ? you may have to wait for some advice of someone with more experience than me.

 

[Ferris]

If you bought your cichlids from an "assorted" tank, i'm betting they are these:

Yellow - Labidochromis Caeruleus
Orange - Metriaclima Estherae
Blue - Metriaclima Callainos

Google these names or better still look here and you should be able to confirm their ID.

Your "Dinosaur Eel" is better known as a Senegal Bichir - some useful info here:

[URL="http/www.fishforums.net/content/Oddballs...Senegal-Bichir/"]http/www.fishforums.net/content/Oddballs...Senegal-Bichir/[/URL]

Should do fine with sub-adult/adult Mbuna but juvies will disappear.

 

[Soaup]

Im going to agree with you on that ferris. I would also say the yellow may be a melanochromis auratus. As for the eel. He is small now and may not be bothering them, but he will grow and will eventually be a problem.