Please Help Me! Id Needed.

[doktor doris]

I have a tank that I have been cycling for a few weeks, I intended to just have african cichlids in it.

Unfortunately a friend heard me say I wanted cichlids, and as a gift bought me 2 fish!

He said my tank was empty so he thought he was helping. I didnt have the heart to say 'no, take them back'

So I have 2 fish I know nothing about,they are about 3 inches long, here is one-

The other one is being shy, but in the same way I think this one is like a leopard, the other one is like a tiger.

Ill try to take a pic.

But please help, what is it?

doris

 

[mixmaster jay]

it looks like a venustus to me but i could be wrong

 

[dthoffsett]

I'd agree it's a male Nimbochromis venustus, they are haps (open water predators) and get to around 10.5" and as such require at least a 6-ft tank. Your best bet would be to rehome them, I know your friend was trying to help but this is why it's so important to research fish before you buy them. I would explain to your friend why the fish won't work and offer to let them come with you when you pick out your fish so they can see what you get.

 

[doktor doris]

I'd agree it's a male Nimbochromis venustus, they are haps (open water predators) and get to around 10.5" and as such require at least a 6-ft tank. Your best bet would be to rehome them, I know your friend was trying to help but this is why it's so important to research fish before you buy them. I would explain to your friend why the fish won't work and offer to let them come with you when you pick out your fish so they can see what you get.

Bloody great, I asked my mate what the shop said to him.

They said it was fully grown and has a peaceful disposition!

Iam not letting it go back to those idiots at the shop, so it looks like I will need yet another, even bigger tank.

At this rate I may as well just throw all my furniture away, line my house with tarps and fill it with water.

doris

And I see whatyou mean about being a predator!

I dropped a few week olg guppy fry (I have hundreds of the ruddy things) into the tank when I realised that flake was an unsuitable food (thanks again shop!) and crikey was it great to watch!

In the twinkling of an eye he had eaten them all, and the speed with which he did it was incredible.

There is no way I can part with him now.

pah! new tank time, again

 

[doktor doris]

Further update.

I went out and bought some cichlid food for them.

They weren't interested, the little pink balls just floated atop the tank and stayed there.

I was worried so I went out and bought some marine frozen food, made of molluscs and crustaceans.

Blimey, they love it!

2 derforsted cubes gone in 5 mins.

But I think what they want is cichlid food that sinks.

 

[mixmaster jay]

its just an excuse for a bigger tank lol im glad everything is cool with it they are lovely looking fish

jay

 

[doktor doris]

do you know what the other one is?

Iam terrified it will get bullied by the Nimbochromis venustus.

chers

doris

 

[Ashy_]

Did you know they play dead then when an unsuspecting little fish comes near for a closer look it strikes and eats it!

 

[doktor doris]

Thats what it was doing!

thanks.

but I beg off you all, please look at my other post and ID my other fish.

 

[dthoffsett]

The reason he ignored the cichlid pellets floating on the top is that they prefer to be mid-level. Try finding some sinking pellets/sticks for them.