So I Got Fish......(pics)

[Slufa111]

Sorry for the blurry pics but I am a noobs with cameras...

can you idenitify......

 

[Slufa111]

anyone?

 

[-SPB-]

Can't really tell, pics to blurry, sorry.

 

[dthoffsett]

I can't be 100% certain without better pictures, but I'm pretty sure the first two pics are of
metriaclima callainos http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=183020.

The third pic I believe is on the the cichlids from Lake Tanganikya, I'm not too good with Tang ID's, you might check out this link and have a look through the profiles. http/www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/

What size tank do you have them in? Here's a really good article to check out on mbuna (rock-dwellers of Lake Malawi). http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=27706

 

[invader]

I agree with the ID of Metriaclima Callainos and the one in the third pic is a Tilapia buttikoferi.

 

[Slufa111]

I agree with the ID of Metriaclima Callainos and the one in the third pic is a Tilapia buttikoferi.

Thanks. I am feeding them Cichlids Small Pellets. They dont seem to be eating except one fish. SHould I feed them flakes?

 

[invader]

As long as the food you are feeding the callainos a diet of mainly veggies, then I think it would be ok. The profile that dthoffsett posted explains the care for the callainos , so I would recommend looking there first. The buttikoferi will eat pretty much anything, as far as I know. How large is your tank? All of these fish will need a fairly large tank as they grow and the buttikoferi probably will need a tank of its own, because of aggression.

Hope this helps!

Also, I would recommend posting in the Old World Cichlid part of the forum. There are people more experienced with these types of cichlids there.

 

[Slufa111]

As long as the food you are feeding the callainos a diet of mainly veggies, then I think it would be ok. The profile that dthoffsett posted explains the care for the callainos , so I would recommend looking there first. The buttikoferi will eat pretty much anything, as far as I know. How large is your tank? All of these fish will need a fairly large tank as they grow and the buttikoferi probably will need a tank of its own, because of aggression.

Hope this helps!

They are just in there at the moment to be raised seeing how they are very young at the moment. They are getting a long fine. There are a lot of hiding spots so I think terrority is fine.

I was told they dont get very big. Assuming that I identify them correctly.

 

[invader]

They do get pretty big, I'm afraid. The buttikoferi gets up to a foot long and the callainos gets 6". I'm telling you now, though, that there will be an aggression issue as they grow larger.

 

[Slufa111]

They do get pretty big, I'm afraid. The buttikoferi gets up to a foot long and the callainos gets 6". I'm telling you now, though, that there will be an aggression issue as they grow larger.

Well what will be better to get rid of(take back to the fish store)? I really like the buttikoferi and he has pretty colors What will the buttikoferi get along with?

 

[invader]

What size is your tank?

 

[Slufa111]

What size is your tank?

just over 33gallons, see how its a little higher than normal? I should of known better to listen to the guy at one of the well known pet stores...well i might just keep the buttikoferi because he has the most personality. Later on, ill get a big and long tank for him or her.......to swim in but he is just a baby now. I have a good 6 months.


I cycled the tank beforehand though!

 

[dthoffsett]

The m.callainos need a tank of at least 55gal. I have 6 of them in a 75gal (with other mbuna), and they definately rule the tank. The t.buttikoferi need a minimum of 125 gallons, both of these species will change from happy docile little juveniles to territorial aggressive adults, so getting along now doesn't mean anything in the long run.

Here's a link to a profile of the t.buttifkoferi http/www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1442

You'll need to upgrade within 4months at the most as t.buttikoferi are HIGHLY territorial and aggressive. Good luck with them.

Edit: Forgot you asked about tankmates. From what I could find tankmates tend to be hit a miss with t.buttikoferi, some people luck out and never have problems, but with others, every tankmate that's been added is quickly decimated. The key seems to be a very large tank with tankmates much larger than them. Otherwise they should be kept in a species tank with only 1 male. M.callainos can be kept with other mbuna.