Whats This Fish?

[jumblepod]

Ok i have this fish which i brought from the lfs. They said it would be fine in my tank as my tanks quite large 260L and all my fish are large silver sharks etc... The problem is i dont have a clue what it is so i was hoping someone on here might know The other problem i have with it is it wont eat flake food. does anyone know what i should be feeding it? Apart from it not eating the flake food it seems fairly happy however it keeps digging up stones and spitting them out with its mouth! Its made a massive pile of gravel in the middle of the tank lol.

sorry about the picture being upside down



I think its this fish click here

 

[Carlovel1]

Looks like some sort of cichlid but I can't tell. Hopefully someone who does know will come along
Its a nice fish

 

[newhobby]

Looks like a Buttikoferi (don't know if spelled correctly). Is it yellow and black? I used to have 2 but gave them away because they got too big.

 

[guppy_man]

Its a tilapia buttikoferi, grows to around 14inches... and are very aggressive.

 

[Jjsmith46]

Nice looking fish though.

 

[Davo86]

Its a tilapia buttikoferi, grows to around 14inches... and are very aggressive.

+1

 

[jumblepod]

What sorta fish could i keep him with and why does he wreck the tank by digging the gravel and putting it in huge heaps!

 

[the biffster]

looks like a tilapia of some
sort it might be Buttikofere
don't know if i have spelt it
right there a nice fish like
long time since i have seen one

 

[fluttermoth]

What sorta fish could i keep him with

TBH, nothing, apart from possibly another Buttikoferi, bearing in mind that if you got two males they'd probably fight to the death and they're impossible to sex. They are a very aggressive, territorial fish...I'd suggest keeping it on its own really.

and why does he wreck the tank by digging the gravel and putting it in huge heaps!

lol; that's just what they do! It would be unfair to the fish to try and stop it doing it; it's part of their natural behaviour.
You've certainly saddled yourself with that one Best of luck...

Oh, forgot to mention food; chiclid pellets, or meaty foods like prawn, cod, etc

 

[jumblepod]

Thanks for all the advice people.

Stupid lfs said it would be fine in my tank with silver sharks, clown loach, gouramis, severums, angel fish and a banded leprus.

I guess they just wanted to get rid of him! cost me 20 quid. To be fair hes not agressive at all until feeding time. I just feed him flake food.

Its just the digging that really the problem as it makes the tank look a mess.

 

[Athena]

So is your tank around 6ft? It's a good size but, even so, I think your stock is not entirely suitable and I think you have been mis-guided by your LFS.

Can I just ask, exactly how many silver sharks, severums, angels, gouramis, clown loaches etc you have in there? All of these species are very large fish, as you know. At juvenile sizes, yes, they may look to fit fine in a 6ft tank, but once they are all adult sized then your tank will be overcrowded, as many of these will grow to a foot long (or more!). Remember also that it's not a case of how many fish we can squeeze into a tank but it's all about giving them a good quality of life, giving them the territorial boundaries that they each require to avoid stress and aggression.

Just my opinion, of course, but maybe you could do a little research into each of the species you have and then you'll be able to make your own conscientious decision as to whether to leave things as they are or to return some to your LFS.

Regards - Athena

ps - as for the feeding of any cichlids, they need a varied diet consisting of live or frozen foods, such as bloodworms, daphnia, baby brine shrimp, occasional algae wafers, blanched veggies and a good quality flake/crisp/pellet food.

 

[Gill]

One of the most aggressive cichilds you can own.

They are VVV Tastie and make an excellent Curry or Pakora.

 

[jumblepod]

Yeh I know i have too many fish in there. In the pub where I work they have a fish tank so I am going to give them some to free up some space. There was never really any agression apart from feeding time. I have only ever fed my fish on tetraMin flake food, should i be feeding other stuff then? I have also took the tilapia buttikoferi back to the shop! I really didnt want to get rid of him because hes such a good looking fish. Whys all the best looking fish agressive lol

 

[onebto]

Can i recomend 2 things.

1 I think you have just learnt this lesson and that is do not take advice from LFS as gospal rather take it as a pinch af salt.

2 I recomend you do some research on a fish species before purchasing it and putting it in your tank, by your own emmition you did not know its species name so definatley did not know its requirments I think you done the wright thing by taking it back to the shop .

Sounds like by your comment about only using fish flake you do not know much about your other fish. Most I will not comment on but the Clown loach I will, fish flake is okay for loaches but its not enough !

They need a varied diet for example I feed mine Hikhari sinking wafers, crab food, Algae wafers, fresh muscles and prawns, cucumber and other varied fish foods, Also ocasionally they get frozen blood worm, Dafnia, brine shrimp it goes on I accept I go overboard finding a varied diet for my beloved Loaches but I really do think you need to do some research on your fish species in your tanks. If you need help please please ask.

How many Clown loaches do you have? They are an extremely social species of fish and really need to be in an absolute minimum group of 4 but the more the merrier IF YOU HAVE THE SPACE!

Are you aware of there water requirements and that they like to have plenty of caves and wholes to hide in?

There is a great section in this forum called the fish index theres lots of great information on most species

Regards onebto.

Regards onebto.

 

[jumblepod]

Yes i have 6 clown loaches and my tank has plenty of hiding spots under bogwood they seem very happy. For the 3 years i have had them i have only fed the flake food and they seem fine but i will try giving them more of a variety now.