Dwarf Cichlids

[Thedoctor]

The tank is 18inch deep which is enough for the angel.

Though I am considering re homing it pending the Cichlids being too aggressive with it. As it stands, I've had the Angel a couple of months having bought it as a baby being no bigger than a 20p piece. It is fine, growing at a good rate in hindsight.

I will see how it goes when the Rams are added. Also looking for a 125tank below 3ft though, they are hard to come by but hopefully I will find one soon.

 

[kaivalagi]

You adding rams then? What kind? Bolivian or GBR? How many? What sex (if you can sex them)?

Make sure when you introduce them they are acclimatised slowly, especially GBR as they are very sensitive! If there is a variation in pH from where they were (LFS) and where they are going (your tank) then you need to make sure they are acclimatised over 30-45 minutes to be on the safe side...put the bag in the tank and let the temp match over time as well as adding a little bit of tank water to the bag every few minutes aiming for more tank to LFS water in there before releasing.

 

[Thedoctor]

You adding rams then? What kind? Bolivian or GBR? How many? What sex (if you can sex them)?

Make sure when you introduce them they are acclimatised slowly, especially GBR as they are very sensitive! If there is a variation in pH from where they were (LFS) and where they are going (your tank) then you need to make sure they are acclimatised over 30-45 minutes to be on the safe side...put the bag in the tank and let the temp match over time as well as adding a little bit of tank water to the bag every few minutes aiming for more tank to LFS water in there before releasing.

Yeah I do that with all my fish.

I'm not sure yet. I'm going to have a shift about with my tanks and stock to accomodate some Dwarf Cichlids. Waiting for my Dad to get his 5ft set up so we can spring for decor and such together.

I went to Nottcuts next to Shirley aquatics (for those based in/around Birmingham) and their stock is 10X better than anything I've ever seen. It's a shame most people are going to go to Shirley (which has gone so far down hill since I was a child).

Nottcuts had some Dwarf Cichlids with amazing colour, I'll look at the stock they have there when they next go up and pretty much make a decision there and then I think.

 

[kaivalagi]

In that case I'd recommend steering clear of GBR just to make it a bit easier...I have seen a lot of GBR failures, me included, I started out with cichlids a long time back now with a "semi" matured 125L tank setup (i.e. well cycled but under 6 months old) and GBRs didn't work out well at all. Bolivian Rams and Apistos always seem to work out well however, even with new tank setups

Post back when you have something sorted

 

[Thedoctor]

In that case I'd recommend steering clear of GBR just to make it a bit easier...I have seen a lot of GBR failures, me included, I started out with cichlids a long time back now with a "semi" matured 125L tank setup (i.e. well cycled but under 6 months old) and GBRs didn't work out well at all. Bolivian Rams and Apistos always seem to work out well however, even with new tank setups

Post back when you have something sorted

Cheers for the heads up.

I was looking at the Golden Ram, Keyhole Cichlid, Bolivian and Apisto. Hadn't decided as the stock I've found all display amazing colour.

I'm thinking maybe the Golden Rams, Bolivian and Apisto rather than Keyhole and GBR as i'm sure someone mentioned the Keyhole getting a bit larger and now your advice on GBR.

Hopefully collecting a larger tank in the next couple of days so will keep all posted.

 

[kaivalagi]

GBR and Golden Rams are pretty much the same other than a slight colour variation so both sit in the same "sensitive" fish group really

I would go bolivian and apisto if it were me starting out with dwarf cichlids now. I say get more opinions, read some more on the subject too and make an educated decision for yourself, good luck

edit: Keyholes are larger than the others when adult, they can be close to 5" according to some species profiles online, including the details here: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/65964-keyhole-cichlid/

 

[Shovelman]

-kaivalagi i agree with pretty much everything your saying. GBR are a very picky species when it comes to water conditions and Bolivian rams would be better for someone that is just starting out with Dwarf cichlids.

-Thedoctor, I pressume that when you say its 18 inches tall (your current tank holding the angelfish) it was sold to you as a 20 gallon tall aquarium if so this is the same as what i have and is STILL unsuitable for angelfish. Even though it is taller it still restricts the amount of space the fish have to swim around and most likely 'IF' they get to their full 12 inches tall they will also be about 4 inches wide. Im not sure how many angelfish you have in there, but I would recommend moving them to that 3ft tank you mentioned, i hope this tank is within at least the 30 gallon region, as a 30 gallon is usually the minimum tank size most aquarium hobbyists keep angelfish in. This will not only provide the angels with more space so they can ACTUALLY move around (more than they can in the 20 gallon) but also enough to make sufficient territories. For now as a grow up tank they should be just 'Fine' as you mentioned, but dont be deceived by them being able to live in such a small tank as it will most likely shorten their lifespan or cause health issues which may cost you the fishes lives and money.

I hope I dont sound too hasty, but keeping angelfish in that small of a tank is simply not a good idea at all.

And also, I would start out with some bolivian rams first just to get a feel for dwarf cichlids.

 

[woody88]

You adding rams then? What kind? Bolivian or GBR? How many? What sex (if you can sex them)?

Make sure when you introduce them they are acclimatised slowly, especially GBR as they are very sensitive! If there is a variation in pH from where they were (LFS) and where they are going (your tank) then you need to make sure they are acclimatised over 30-45 minutes to be on the safe side...put the bag in the tank and let the temp match over time as well as adding a little bit of tank water to the bag every few minutes aiming for more tank to LFS water in there before releasing.

Yeah I do that with all my fish.

I'm not sure yet. I'm going to have a shift about with my tanks and stock to accomodate some Dwarf Cichlids. Waiting for my Dad to get his 5ft set up so we can spring for decor and such together.

I went to Nottcuts next to Shirley aquatics (for those based in/around Birmingham) and their stock is 10X better than anything I've ever seen. It's a shame most people are going to go to Shirley (which has gone so far down hill since I was a child).

Nottcuts had some Dwarf Cichlids with amazing colour, I'll look at the stock they have there when they next go up and pretty much make a decision there and then I think.

Hi, just thought i'd hijack this thread. Regarding Shirley Aquatics, I can't fault them. I live in Brum and have tried them all [A&D, Angel,Hollybush,C.D] as well as many others and IMO, Shirley are by far the best! They have a good variety and are very helpful and dont try and sell you things you don't want or need.

I use them mainly for my marine setup but I'm gonna try them for my freshwater setup from now on. [getting bored of A&D aquatics].

 

[Thedoctor]

Shirley's is very expensive. And compared to how it was when I was a kid, it is massively down hill. The place used to be what I would imagine a Willy Wonka would have created has he prefered fish to chocolate. lol.

Try nottcuts literally yards down the road, the stock is so much better and the place just looks nice, better kept.

Cheers for the advice ladies and Jellyspoons.

 

[Verminator89]

Hi, just thought i'd hijack this thread. Regarding Shirley Aquatics, I can't fault them. I live in Brum and have tried them all [A&D, Angel,Hollybush,C.D] as well as many others and IMO, Shirley are by far the best! They have a good variety and are very helpful and dont try and sell you things you don't want or need.

I use them mainly for my marine setup but I'm gonna try them for my freshwater setup from now on. [getting bored of A&D aquatics].

Lol, Shirley Aquatics is a joke IMO. Atleast the branch in Shirley on the outskirts of Brum is as far as i'm concerned. Their stock is, well...a joke. They just have common run of the mill stuff and expect people to pay their prices.

ROFL


Sorry, back on topic now...