Should I Rehome?

[Dieses Madchen]

So, as everyone who knows me knows, my pride and joy is my jewel cichlid. But here lately she has been getting harder and harder to keep. I have subjected her to Mbuna treatment as a last resort but she cannot stand up to them, but if I put her in my 75g, she may kill another. I just lost a Vieja to her craziness, not to mention the Green Terror I almost lost. I do not know what to do!! This fish seems unkeepable. What would ya'll do?

 

[fluttermoth]

I had a jewel cichlid once and ended up keeping her on her own; couldn't keep anything with her

 

[Dieses Madchen]

I moved her to my Malawi tank. Someone had suggested to me, and i researched as well, that keeping her with more aggressive fish will calm her down. She has gotten a few minor injuries from the lip lock battles, but nothing major. I was going to get her a tank for herself, but we had a financial emergency come up so my back up plan is no more. I don't want he to get trashed by the malawis, but I don't want her to kill my severums either. I am really at a loss as she is my utmost favorate fish. But the Severums are my husbands fave. I am seriously on the verge of tears right now.


Food for thought. Can she be temporarily in a 10g until I get paid next week?

 

[mike455555]

new tank time? pick one up cheep. or move her into a bucket? or something similar until you can fund a tank? sure you have a heater and filter laying about somewhere?

 

[Dieses Madchen]

All my heaters and filters are in use. Your forgetting mike, I have 5 tanks going, and I used my last spare filter for my betta tank that I just set up. Normally I have extra supplies but of course when i need it most, I dont. That is why I wwas asking if it is possible to rehome her to a 10g temporarily. She is full grown so she won't be stunted. And it will only be for a week. The 10 gallon is 19 inches long and she is only 4 inches.

 

[mike455555]

if its only for a week. i dont see her dying in it. she might not like it. but long if she can swim a little personally i dont see a problem with it.

if the fish can move about the tank a little. long if its only temporary but that's just my personal opinion. i wouldn't take it as advice

 

[Dieses Madchen]

She's not very active in the tank unless she is trying to kill something....

 

[mike455555]

the choice is down to you. i would feel bad if something happened to her from my lack of knowledge. i have never kept cichlids. and know nothing about them.

but in my opinion if the fish can swim around a little it will be fine in the tank for a few days.

 

[Dieses Madchen]

I'm going to have to do something soon. I may leave her where she is at for the time being. She doesnt seem to be in danger, but I am worried that is she irks my Socolofi, there are going to be Jewel piece all over my 55g tank.

 

[Tolak]

Park her in the 10 for a while. If it were a medical situation you wouldn't think twice of keeping that size fish in that size tank for a couple weeks.

 

[Dieses Madchen]

I think i am going to do that. Me an my husband have been discussing. We have materials to make her comfy in the 10g for a brief moment. Next week on payday i am going to look into a 20-30g for her. They also have some jewels at petsmart so i may try to get her a mate, that way she isn't alone. I am in a terrible way over this situation as both my fave and my husbands fave fish have been in danger. Curse the day I bought that darn fish and let her steal my heart.

 

[Tolak]

If it doesn't have to be a new tank & you're up for a little drive there's an auction in Champaign this Saturday. Weather permitting I'll be heading down there with some friends, could probably round up a used tank around that size.

 

[Dieses Madchen]

I will have to look into that. I have also been checking craigslist and what not. Do you think, as she is full grown, that she would tolerate other jewels? I can get my hands on some males and females easily. I do not want her to be alone, as she is social with the right fish. Is it worth the risk?

And thank you everyone, for your replies and advice/opinions. I am really gutted that I am in this predicament, and it is good to see that I have options that do not require me to rehome. I am an animal fanatic, and fish are no different. I am attached to em all, from my livebearers, all the way to my cichlids. I really do value everyones input.

And to whomever voted, I will definately slap her a high fin

 

[FishFanatic04]

I won't be any help to you, but wanted to offer sympathy. Had to rehome my two cats last summer and it broke my heart. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. Hope you find a good solution!

 

[Dieses Madchen]

I won't be any help to you, but wanted to offer sympathy. Had to rehome my two cats last summer and it broke my heart. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. Hope you find a good solution!

Thank you. It is difficult for me to rehome pets, and bury them. I cry at every fish I lose, and rehome. Heck, I rehomed a bunch of babies out of neccessity, and it broke my heart, even though they were stressed from lack of room! I hate giving up my animals. Fish are no different than a dog or cat to me.