Cichild beginner.
McGKar
my 29 gallon tank. Right now it's completely empty, and I had a few questions
about what cichlids to get. First of all, I'd like to be able to put more than
one or two fish in the tank. Secondly, I'd really like to have something
colorful. I've looked up a few species, but the information on them was very
limited. Does anyone have any information on these: Orange Chromade (Etroplus
maculatus); African Purple Cichlid (Pelmatochromis pulcher); Egyptian
Mouthbrooder (Hemihaplochromis multicolor). Also, I like the blue rams (A.
ramirezi), but my book says they are sensitive to Ich. Is this true? Thanks
so very much for any advice. :) Also, any info regarding food would be
appreciated.
Karen M
The Leopard Woman
Hi Karen:
I started keeping cichlids almost 2 years ago and was hooked from the
start; I think you will enjoy them. You've got a lot of options
depending on what kind of fish are available to you locally and what
your water is like. Do you knwo if you have hard/soft water, high or low
ph? This is one way to narrow down your choices. MOst african cichlids
prefer hard, high ph water, and some of the species from Lake Tanginyika
(sp?) are really interesting to watch, plus you can keep a fair number
in the tank you have.
Most of the species from Lake Malawi get larger, and you can't keep as
many in a 30gal tank, but they are also relaly interesting and nicely
colored. I've kept a number of these species, and most are pretty hardy
and easy to breed, if you are interested in that.
If you have soft, low ph water, you could try some of the South American
cichlid species, though you should do research first and make sure your
choice doesn't outgrow your tank. The rams are nice, and they stay
small, but the do like very clean, soft water. I wouldn't reccomend them
unless you have kept other types of fish before as they can be a bit delicate.
There are also a number of dwarf cihclids that are nice for a 30 gal,
some liking sifter water, others a bit harder. Kribnesis are a nicely
colored african species that stays pretty small, and I think they are
easier to keep that the rams.
As you can see, I could go on and on as there are literally hundreds of
species out there. I have not personally kept the species you mentioned
above, though they are all african. Let us know what you water
parameters are and maybe we can narrow it down a bit. Feel free to email
me if you like...
--
柚eg (make sure there are no spots when you reply)
* * * * * * * * *
Believe those who are seeking the truth. Doubt those who find it.
- Andre Gide
ReEfEr MaDnEsS
i could email you a pic if you want one, also the rusties are very nice, you
should be able to house about 5 or 6 of the medium cichlids provided you are
ok with the maintenenace
McGKar
>parameters are and maybe we can narrow it down a bit. Feel free to email
>me if you like...
>--
>柚eg
The water straight out of the tap runs between 7.0 and 7.5. I've tested it for
hardness and gotten a reading of 40-50 ppm, which is soft. I think that makes
for an odd combination, doesn't it??
Karen
Fred Hamilton
and singled out a few of the smaller cichlids appropriate for your 29
gallon tank.
(1) Orange chromide: These are somewhat unusual, but not unheard-of
fish. With a little patience, you should be able to find orange
chromides in your local fish store, although they are seen less
frequently now due to their replacement with the easier-to-breed
mouthbrooding African cichlids. There are two species in this genus
(Etroplus maculatus and E. suratensis, if I'm not mistaken). They are
the only cichlids found in Asia (actually, they're from the vicinity of
India, occupying the "frontier" of the cichlid family in the old
world). They are a "brackish" water cichlid -- meaning they require a
little salt in their water for best results. They breed readily, in
typical substrate-spawning cichlid fashion and the fry receive a lot of
parental care during the first few weeks of life.
(2) African purple cichlid: This is an old standby fish, regarded by
many as probably the most attractive cichlid in the entire family.
Usually in stock in at least one pet store in any medium-sized American
city, The common name heard most often is simply "Kribensis." The
scientific name has undergone several revisions over that last twenty
years, with the current name being Pelvicachromis pulcher. Easy to
breed, and with the added bonus of not destroying plants and other
aquascaping as readily as most other cichlids. They are unusual in that
the females are more colorful than the males, although smaller. They are
egg-layers (as opposed to mouthbrooders), and have spawns in the range
of 20 to 30 eggs.
(3) Blue rams: A little less common than Kribensis, but nonetheless
generally avilable. There are several varieties (blue, gold, and
"jumbo"). These are tough fish to work with unless you have a supply of
soft water. They like warm temperatures and, like kribensis, are
relatively harmless to aquatic plants. If their tank temperature is
kept in an appropriate range, they're unlikely to develop ich. However,
unless they are provided with soft and slightly acid water, they're not
likely to do well, and various problems will result. I'd recommend
against them unless you are fortunate enough to live in an area where
the tap water is soft. Again, the name has been under revision... the
current name is either "Papiliochromis ramirezi," or "Microgeophagus
ramirezi" (I can't remember which is the most current). Also an
egg-layer.
All of these cichlids will do well on a diet of high-quality flake food
(I use TetraMin staple food or cichlid food), supplemented with an
occasional feeding of live or frozen brine shrimp.
As a final thought, I wouldn't mix species. Your best bet of seeing
reproduction and maximum coloration in these fishes is to keep them in a
species-ony setup. In order to ensure a happy community, it's also best
to start with 6 or so small fish and to raise them together to
adulthood.
Fred
McGKar wrote:
>
> Hi everyone. I'm new to the group, and I'm interested in getting cichlids for
> my 29 gallon tank. Right now it's completely empty, and I had a few questions
> about what cichlids to get. First of all, I'd like to be able to put more than
> one or two fish in the tank. Secondly, I'd really like to have something
> colorful. I've looked up a few species, but the information on them was very
> limited. Does anyone have any information on these: Orange Chromade (Etroplus
> maculatus); African Purple Cichlid (Pelmatochromis pulcher); Egyptian
> Mouthbrooder (Hemihaplochromis multicolor). Also, I like the blue rams (A.
> ramirezi), but my book says they are sensitive to Ich. Is this true? Thanks
> so very much for any advice. :) Also, any info regarding food would be
> appreciated.
>
> Karen M
The Leopard Woman
Not really. Check out Fred's very informative post, particularly on the
Kribs. I was thinking that purple cichlids was referring to Ps aceis or
Rustys. The soft water would be good for rams, and they are beautiful
fish! A good friend of mine has them in a community tank along with
congo tetras and some other soft water species...very striking!
McGKar
>congo tetras and some other soft water species...very striking!
>--
I LOVE congo tetras. So beautifully colored!! :)
Karen
Chena 16 C
Sorry, I'm kinda new to cichlids and am not too familiar with Latin names, what
fish is this? I'm trying to get ideas. I'm thinking about getting another tank
when I get the money. Thank you.
Ronald M. Coleman
Orange chromides are wonderful little fish. They aren't too hard to breed and
do well in a small tank -- I've bred them in 10 gallon tanks. They will lay their
eggs on the outside of a small flowerpot lying on its side.
The African purple cichlid is commonly called the kribensis and its scientific
name is now Pelvicachromis pulcher. They are also a great cichlid to start with.
In both cases, you can start with more than a pair, but unless your tank has lots
of hiding places, eg. wood, rocks, plants, when a pair forms and starts breeding
they will claim most or all of the tank as their territory and will chase and
possibly kill other fish in there.
-- Ron
rcol...@cichlidresearch.com
The Leopard Woman
I know a fair number of the scientific names, but my closest guess as to
what the poster *meant* was Haplochromis ahli. a search by that name
should turn up some info for you...
McGKar
>and
>do well in a small tank
Hi Ron, Thanks for your response. Are the orange chromides hard to find?
Also, can I mix them with the kribensis, or say maybe angelfish? Thanks again!
Karen
Beverly Erlebacher
Fred Hamilton <fredha...@fuse.net> wrote:
>Welsome to the world of cichlids! You've evidently done some research,
>and singled out a few of the smaller cichlids appropriate for your 29
>gallon tank.
>
>(1) Orange chromide: These are somewhat unusual, but not unheard-of
>fish. With a little patience, you should be able to find orange
>chromides in your local fish store, although they are seen less
>frequently now due to their replacement with the easier-to-breed
>mouthbrooding African cichlids. There are two species in this genus
>(Etroplus maculatus and E. suratensis, if I'm not mistaken). They are
>the only cichlids found in Asia (actually, they're from the vicinity of
>India, occupying the "frontier" of the cichlid family in the old
>world). They are a "brackish" water cichlid -- meaning they require a
>little salt in their water for best results. They breed readily, in
>typical substrate-spawning cichlid fashion and the fry receive a lot of
>parental care during the first few weeks of life.
Nitpick alert!! There are several tilapiine cichlids in Asia, including
the tilapias in the Sea of Galilee in Israel, most likely the fish that
Jesus allegedly multiplied (Go thou and do likewise). The furthest east
is Iranocichla hormuzensis, from the Straits of Hormuz area of southern Iran.
During the ice ages, north Africa and the near east were much wetter, and all
these tilapiines are probably relicts of that period. The Etroplus spp of
India, however, got there by floating along with the Indian subcontinent when
it broke off from Gondwanaland 100-150 million years ago, and may have been
much more widespread before cyprinids from Asia moved in after India collided,
and pushed the cichlids back into brackish environments barbs can't handle.
The tilapiines came from Africa much later.
>(2) African purple cichlid: This is an old standby fish, regarded by
>many as probably the most attractive cichlid in the entire family.
>Usually in stock in at least one pet store in any medium-sized American
>city, The common name heard most often is simply "Kribensis." The
>scientific name has undergone several revisions over that last twenty
>years, with the current name being Pelvicachromis pulcher. Easy to
>breed, and with the added bonus of not destroying plants and other
>aquascaping as readily as most other cichlids. They are unusual in that
>the females are more colorful than the males, although smaller. They are
>egg-layers (as opposed to mouthbrooders), and have spawns in the range
>of 20 to 30 eggs.
More like 50-150 eggs, in my experience. Excellent choice for a first
cichlid, they aren't picky about pH or hardness, eat anything, good parents
who can protect their fry without doing any real damage to other fish.
>(3) Blue rams: A little less common than Kribensis, but nonetheless
>generally avilable. There are several varieties (blue, gold, and
>"jumbo"). These are tough fish to work with unless you have a supply of
>soft water. They like warm temperatures and, like kribensis, are
>relatively harmless to aquatic plants. If their tank temperature is
>kept in an appropriate range, they're unlikely to develop ich. However,
>unless they are provided with soft and slightly acid water, they're not
>likely to do well, and various problems will result. I'd recommend
>against them unless you are fortunate enough to live in an area where
>the tap water is soft. Again, the name has been under revision... the
>current name is either "Papiliochromis ramirezi," or "Microgeophagus
>ramirezi" (I can't remember which is the most current). Also an
>egg-layer.
These fish seem to be very easily stressed, and shipping (or perhaps the
heavily medicated diets they are raised on in SE Asian hatcheries) make
them very susceptible to mysterious death within a week or two of purchase.
If you do want to try them, get experience with hardier fish first, and
try to obtain stock from local breeders. Healthy, feisty individuals
are almost as rare in shops as they are beautiful.
>All of these cichlids will do well on a diet of high-quality flake food
>(I use TetraMin staple food or cichlid food), supplemented with an
>occasional feeding of live or frozen brine shrimp.
Kribs will eat surprisingly large earthworms, and this will get them into
spawning condition rapidly. Krib fry will eat zucchini, although the adults
seem unimpressed.
>As a final thought, I wouldn't mix species. Your best bet of seeing
>reproduction and maximum coloration in these fishes is to keep them in a
>species-ony setup. In order to ensure a happy community, it's also best
>to start with 6 or so small fish and to raise them together to
>adulthood.
Kribs will spawn at 6-8 months, and they are fairly easy to sex (the discerning
eye can do it at 6-8 weeks), so you can start with a young pair. The six
young fish advice is good for most cichlids, especially those that are hard
to sex when young.
I would recommend some dither/target fish in a 29 with a pair of kribs,
and heavy planting. Since kribs stay near the bottom most of the time,
you might want to have some peaceful gouramis (e.g. pearls), and algae
eating catfish, e.g. a couple of Otocinclus or a small Ancistrus pleco.
Provide some caves made of coconut shell or flowerpots.
>> Egyptian Mouthbrooder (Hemihaplochromis multicolor).
These are now Pseudocrenilabrus multicolor. Although they are small,
the males are pretty aggressive and will hassle the females while they
are mouthbrooding. Like all haplochromines, they don't pair bond. Kribs
have strong pair bonds even between spawning sessions, and their behaviour
towards each other is charming and amusing, sort of like a sitcom.
If you haven't guessed yet, I'd recommend kribs. I think you'll enjoy
them a lot. Check dejanews for lots of articles about kribs by me and
other krib fans.
Fred Hamilton
>
> There are several tilapiine cichlids in Asia, including
> the tilapias in the Sea of Galilee in Israel, most likely the fish that
> Jesus allegedly multiplied (Go thou and do likewise).
I was always a bit skeptical of the loaves-and-fishes story until I
began to breed tilapiines. After one has seen a female mouthbrooding
Tilapia (Sarotherodon) brood 200-300 fry -- and then do it again 4 weeks
later -- it's quite plausible! :)
As another interesting aside on Tilapiines, the "Tilapia spot" present
on the dorsal fin of many species is identified in some stories as the
point on the fish's body at which the apostle Peter lifted the fish from
the water -- hence the name "St. Peter's spot" which one occasionally
hears.
Fred