I have 2 small irridecent sharks and 2 small african cichlids and 1 small fish called new guienea (something like that) i have 2 small decorations and one medium sized in a 10 gallon tank. I had a bigger size african cichlid but he kept attacking the first red parrot cichlid and hurt him so i seperated them both and the parrot died. So the aggressive cichlid is still removed and i got another parrot cichlid and now hes on his side. I dont know whats wrong i dont know if maybe hes lonely? Help!!!!!!
Parrot Cichlid On His Side At The Bottom
- Thread starter ezg
- Start date
The December FOTM Contest Poll is open!
🏆 Click to vote! 🏆
I'm afraid you've got a lot of problems with your tank
Where to start...
Okay; cichlids. There are thousands of species of cichlid, from many parts of the world. Many of them are very aggressive, and many need specific water conditions to do well. African cichlids are amongst the most aggressive. They need to be 'overcrowded', in a large tank (at least 200l/50 US gallons), with hard, alkaline water, or they'll just kill each other and/or become sick.
The parrot cichlid is a hybrid of Central and South American cichlids. They're not so aggressive, and need soft to neutral water to do well. They also need a large tank, as they grow quite big. They're much too peaceful to be kept with Africans.
The iridescent shark is not at all suitable for your tank. These fish can grow to be eight feet long in the wild. They shouldn't be sold in shops at all, IMO.
Many fish 'diseases' are caused by poor water quality. You have a lot of big, messy fish in a small tank, so the chances are your water is not very good. How long has your tank been set up? Have you tested the water at all? how often do you change the water?
Sorry I can't be more positive. Please don't get any more fish until you've sorted out your current problems. If you don't have test kits of your own yet, buy those instead of another fish. It's essential for every fishkeeper to be able to test for pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate.
Where to start...
Okay; cichlids. There are thousands of species of cichlid, from many parts of the world. Many of them are very aggressive, and many need specific water conditions to do well. African cichlids are amongst the most aggressive. They need to be 'overcrowded', in a large tank (at least 200l/50 US gallons), with hard, alkaline water, or they'll just kill each other and/or become sick.
The parrot cichlid is a hybrid of Central and South American cichlids. They're not so aggressive, and need soft to neutral water to do well. They also need a large tank, as they grow quite big. They're much too peaceful to be kept with Africans.
The iridescent shark is not at all suitable for your tank. These fish can grow to be eight feet long in the wild. They shouldn't be sold in shops at all, IMO.
Many fish 'diseases' are caused by poor water quality. You have a lot of big, messy fish in a small tank, so the chances are your water is not very good. How long has your tank been set up? Have you tested the water at all? how often do you change the water?
Sorry I can't be more positive. Please don't get any more fish until you've sorted out your current problems. If you don't have test kits of your own yet, buy those instead of another fish. It's essential for every fishkeeper to be able to test for pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate.
I agree with Fluttermoth, you have fallen into a trap along with most other new fish keepers. You buy a iridescent shark, or a common pleco, or a goldfish for a tank that is way too small. They tell you that the fish will not outgrow its container, which isn't quite correct. The truth is that a fish will die a slow and painful death before it is big enough to outgrow it's container. Fish stores sell these tankbusters because they make a profit off them with inexperienced fish keepers.
To be redundant: your tank is way to small. Also, parrot cichlids can get up to 10" long and weigh a couple of pounds. If you plan to keep them, I would go with a 40G at the very least. Also, they tend to be a gregarious species and do better if there are at least a pair of them. They also mix well with convicts, and can interbreed.
Not all African cichlids are aggressive; some are quite compatible with a community tank. But their water requirements are usually very different from American cichlids, such as your parrot. Don't be overly alarmed when he lays on his side; it's a common behavior of some American cichlids. our parrots and oscars do it when they're stressed for any reason, or just sulking.
IMO, get a much larger tank, sell or give away the shark, and do a water change weekly.
Not to disagree with fluttermoth, but I disagree with her on African cichlids, sorry. At least in part. They do require hard, alkaline water for the most part, but the tank doesn't need to be overcrowded, provided you have enough potential "territories" in the form of rock or stone caves, for each male to establish and possess his own territory. If you don't have caves, then overcrowding will stop aggressive behavior.
Not all African cichlids are aggressive; some are quite compatible with a community tank. But their water requirements are usually very different from American cichlids, such as your parrot. Don't be overly alarmed when he lays on his side; it's a common behavior of some American cichlids. our parrots and oscars do it when they're stressed for any reason, or just sulking.
IMO, get a much larger tank, sell or give away the shark, and do a water change weekly.
Not to disagree with fluttermoth, but I disagree with her on African cichlids, sorry. At least in part. They do require hard, alkaline water for the most part, but the tank doesn't need to be overcrowded, provided you have enough potential "territories" in the form of rock or stone caves, for each male to establish and possess his own territory. If you don't have caves, then overcrowding will stop aggressive behavior.
Similar threads
Most reactions
-
387 -
206 -
201 -
194 -
186 -
181 -
159 -
151 -
143 -
110 -
99 -
96 -
85 -
82 -
78