Shell Dwellers

[Loko17]

I might get a 10 gallon tank soon and have decided I'm going to put some Multi's in it. Seeing as I've never kept African Cichilids I would like to know everything I will need to keep these guys happy. Thanks for any help, and please help

 

[AndrewZ]

(Sorry, I know this is off-topic - I just get frustrated that petstores sell these to unsuspecting customers, and the animals suffer for it!)

Hi Loko17,

You may already know this, and it may not be my business, but the fruit loop tetras and painted glass cats are artificially injected with dye, which is painful, shortens their lifespans, and fades quickly. Here's an article I found Painted Glass Fish

I learned about issues of artificially altering fish when my aquarium was given to me with 2 "heart-shaped" Blood Parrot cichlids, and I discovered their tails had been painfully amputated as babies to give them the heart shape (sometimes they're dyed as well and called Jellybean Parrots). I was saddened every time I looked at them, I feel fish are extremely beautiful already as they were created by nature.

Enjoy your new aquarium!

 

[fish_r_great]

p.h. of 8-9
Lots of shells that they won't get stuck in
A sandysubstrate

 

[Loko17]

(I have gotten back to Andrew incase anyone was wondering)
As my PH in my tap water isnt at that rate, can i get a product to get the PH where it needs to be?

 

[demonmagus]

The shells should help, and maybe use aragonite or something for substrate, anything that leaches calcium would do

What pH is your water btw?

 

[fish_r_great]

Most pH things add phosphates add then u will get a bunch of Algae. Otherwise just do the best you can Cichlids can adapt to most anything and although you might not be able to get to ideal levels just getting it close should be fine.