Plocky With 4 Cichlids And 55 Gallon Tank (updated With Pictures)

[Eviltoon]

Hello, I have recently started a tank of 2 Amazons (One yellow Convict and a blue Amazon and cannot recall the name) two Jack Dempsey's and one plecostomus. I am not surprised to see the aggressive relationship the cichlids have with each other and honestly I think they are working things out pretty well. But I am concerned about the Plocky. None of the Cichlids are over 2 inches yet, and the Plocky is well on 7", maybe 8...initially he held his ground with them well, bashing them back if they started after him...but I am noticing his tail fin is getting slight damage and wonder if I should actually keep him in this tank? Threre are lots of rocks and caves in the tank, and the Cichlids have got their own territories and seem very happy and adjusted...although they do seem to like pissing one another off a lot.

Any thoughts on this delemma? I love pleco's and do not want to cause him/her grief...but at the same time I want a fish that can deal with any algae that my grow. My thoughts right now are that the Cichlids will not stop their occasional harrassment of the pleco...and although I know he can defend himself, I do not see it in his disposition to be agressive all the freeking time. Not like his tank mates!

 

[ox5477]

People always think pleco's are for algae removal. But, the fact is, they are not going to remove all the algae and even if there is algae in the tank, you will need to suppliment their diet with algae wafers.

My pleco has a few war wounds from my JD as they seem to try and push eachother around but it seems to get on fine (had them together for over a year now). The problem might be though that you have four fish it will be fighting and then it may not be able to cope.

First off, two JD's are too much when full grown for a 55 (unless they are a mated pair). If you want two, then I would recommend taking the other two back (explain beyond yellow and blue amazons, don't recognize those names....), and buying atleast four more, equally sized JD's. Hopefully, you will see a pair form within a month or two and then you can take the other four back to the lfs or give them to a friend. Hopefully, the two that have paired will grow together and mate and then you can keep them together in the 55. But, there is always a chance that the pair can break before they mate and then you have to take one out before they kill eachother.

If you want to keep two individual JD's, then atleast a 90G is needed (standard is usually 45G per JD to mitigate aggression and territory battles). But as I've said on other posts, this all depends on the temperment of the individual fish. Some are the son of the devil and you might need more space, while others can happily tolerate other fish and might be able to cope with a 75.

 

[Eviltoon]

People always think pleco's are for algae removal. But, the fact is, they are not going to remove all the algae and even if there is algae in the tank, you will need to suppliment their diet with algae wafers.

My pleco has a few war wounds from my JD as they seem to try and push eachother around but it seems to get on fine (had them together for over a year now). The problem might be though that you have four fish it will be fighting and then it may not be able to cope.

First off, two JD's are too much when full grown for a 55 (unless they are a mated pair). If you want two, then I would recommend taking the other two back (explain beyond yellow and blue amazons, don't recognize those names....), and buying atleast four more, equally sized JD's. Hopefully, you will see a pair form within a month or two and then you can take the other four back to the lfs or give them to a friend. Hopefully, the two that have paired will grow together and mate and then you can keep them together in the 55. But, there is always a chance that the pair can break before they mate and then you have to take one out before they kill eachother.

If you want to keep two individual JD's, then atleast a 90G is needed (standard is usually 45G per JD to mitigate aggression and territory battles). But as I've said on other posts, this all depends on the temperment of the individual fish. Some are the son of the devil and you might need more space, while others can happily tolerate other fish and might be able to cope with a 75.

thanks for your reply ox5477...I will observe their behaviour closely for the next few weeks. I knew they had to go to a bigger tank eventually, but I had no idea it was going to have to be THAT big!!! Believe it or not, at this momement in time the more aggressive JD is not the tough guy in the tank...there is a yellow convict (I think he's a convict) that is dominating everything.

Guess I need to ask how fast these fish grow, so I can keep my eyes open for a new tank...they are wonderful fish, and my wife is getting very attached to them (she likes tough guys )

 

[ox5477]

Again, not sure on what you mean by the yellow and blue amazons. if you have pics, please post. If they are an african lake breed, then they will be much mroe aggressive than the new worlds, hence why your JD is getting picked on.

 

[shroob]

Agreed, would be alot easier to help if we knew for sure what fish you have.

 

[Eviltoon]

Hello,

Here are the two fish that I am unsure of...the yellow was passed off as a convict, but I am not so sure. And I have no idea of what the blue one is. There are also two Jack Dempsey's with the 6-7" pleco.

ID's would be wonderful...and any info on their nature would be nice, although the yellow one is uber agressive, taking complete control of the tank...although the larger dempsey is showing signs of obstinance, fighting back on occasion. No cichlid is over 2" yet.
Thanks,

 

[juanveldez]

imo neither one of those look new world tbey both smack of african.

 

[kribensis12]

The yellow ones are Called Red Zebra Cichlid's. They African and im pretty sure there Mbuna. Which are the most aggressive of Africans. I recongize the Blue one, but not enough to name it.

 

[Eviltoon]

The yellow ones are Called Red Zebra Cichlid's. They African and im pretty sure there Mbuna. Which are the most aggressive of Africans. I recongize the Blue one, but not enough to name it.

Oh my! Africans...that's a bit of a surprise. Guess they may not do to well with the Demspsy's and that explains why they only started get really perky with high PH levels.

I am also recalling that Dempsy's have a high tolerance for varied water conditions...so does anyone think they would adapt to the African tank or should I get them out asap???

Thanks for the identification folks...now I am on to newer concerns

 

[fishfishfish]

yup the yellow one is a adult male red zebra.i have one too and he rules my tank.and i know the blue and black one but just cant get the right name.

 

[kubora666]

no. the yellow ones look like Kenyi cichlids.
they arent red zebras thats for sure.

 

[Eviltoon]

I suppose this now belongs in the Old World Cichlids sub-forum Thanks to all who have verified that the fish are Africans... now I need to know what to do with the Jack Dempsey's and the plecostomus...are they compatible with Africans...it's been 3 weeks now and they are getting along...well sort of. But the big question is do I need to move out the JD's and pleco? Or do I keep trying to keep them together. Guess water conditions and their individual requirements are my biggest concern as well as temperment.

I would surely love some thoughts on this matter? Thanks

 

[juanveldez]

on the whole most people would suggest seperating the JD and pelco out of the tank, however I have used yellow labs as dithers in a new world tank on the very rare occasion.

 

[Ferris]

Your 2 african's are Metriaclima Lombardoi, aka Kenyi (yellow) and Melanochromis Johanni (blue). Both are Herbivores and with the JD being very much a Carnivore - feeding will be a problem.

The Plec will probably be fine with either the JD or the Mbuna but that combination of cichlids is not usually a good mix.

 

[Eviltoon]

Your 2 african's are Metriaclima Lombardoi, aka Kenyi (yellow) and Melanochromis Johanni (blue). Both are Herbivores and with the JD being very much a Carnivore - feeding will be a problem.

The Plec will probably be fine with either the JD or the Mbuna but that combination of cichlids is not usually a good mix.

Herbavores, that explains why they go after the algae discs with so much enthusiasm...

Guess I need to start saving for another tank

Thanks a lot folks...