Refuge Tank?

twodoctors · Apr 10, 2011

Hi all,

My sajicas has separated again due to me cleaning their cave. They have been separated for 2 weeks now and even the male isn't that interested in their cave anymore. Seem to have lost its sparkle, very muted now. Not as territorial. The female doesn't eat during feeding time (never did anyway when they were together as she was guarding the cave), and now hides in the corner or top of the tank.

My 2 very small firemouths (male and female) never really got on since buying them (separately, same shop). The male kept chasing her away, and she stays at the back of the tank most of the time now.

I have a 90L which I'm due to setup after my exam in mid May but the two female cichlids aren't eating much so I thought I should probably get the tank running and fatten them up. Good idea?

My plan was to put my 12 tiger barbs in there with the liver catfish (until it outgrows the tank), or the 12 tigers with the 2 sajicas. Or 12 tigers with the 2 firemouths (until they get bigger)? Which combo would be best?

Any other suggestions welcomed.

Adrian

minnnt · Apr 10, 2011

If you want to fatten the females up then I would put them in without the barbs as they are greedy and will Hoover up all of the food you put in for them. Mine did anyway even though they were in with much bigger cichlids. If it is a confidence issue then having 12 tiger barbs buzzing around isn't going to help matters. I would get the new tank set up with some old filter media from your existing tank along with half old tank water and half new water then add them accordingly. Are they eating at all in the current tank? If not then I would be looking to do this ASAP.

twodoctors · Apr 10, 2011

minnnt said:
If you want to fatten the females up then I would put them in without the barbs as they are greedy and will Hoover up all of the food you put in for them. Mine did anyway even though they were in with much bigger cichlids. If it is a confidence issue then having 12 tiger barbs buzzing around isn't going to help matters. I would get the new tank set up with some old filter media from your existing tank along with half old tank water and half new water then add them accordingly. Are they eating at all in the current tank? If not then I would be looking to do this ASAP.

I haven't seen them eat for a while. They are still alive so I assume they are eating the (extra) sinking food I put in at night for my corys and catfish. My tank is nearly, just need the heater. I have put a new bag of ceramic noodle in the old tank, and going to swap it with some old ones from the old tank. With only the two small cichlids I think it should be ok. No, I wasn't going to put the barbs in yet. Going to let the two cichlids settle in first. I have found a buyer for the sajica so it's just courtesy to keep her as well as possible before sale. My firemouth female does need to get bigger first however because she kept being chased by the male. When the sajica is gone (Good Friday) I'll probably put the tiger barbs in then. Does that sound ok?

Adrian

minnnt · Apr 11, 2011

Yeah I would say so. Shame I haven't really got the space for the sajica, I was going to have them both off of you. I also have what I am hoping is a pair of firemouths so I would be no help there either really. I'm no expert Adrian but that is what I would do. I would ensure the firemouth enjoys a week or so of good quality food before adding the Barbs. A guy at wharf aquatics was telling me that firemouths don't handle bloodworm very well but love daphnia and myosotis... possibly worth baring that in mind also?

twodoctors · Apr 11, 2011

minnnt said:
Yeah I would say so. Shame I haven't really got the space for the sajica, I was going to have them both off of you. I also have what I am hoping is a pair of firemouths so I would be no help there either really. I'm no expert Adrian but that is what I would do. I would ensure the firemouth enjoys a week or so of good quality food before adding the Barbs. A guy at wharf aquatics was telling me that firemouths don't handle bloodworm very well but love daphnia and myosotis... possibly worth baring that in mind also?

Thanks. Was planning on feeding them (female sajica and firemouth) my frozen treat every other day. I'll skip the bloodworm for them then. Now I just have to wait for the heater to arrive...