Golden eyed dwarf cichlid- any information?

[Maroonostrich]

Hi everyone, apologies for the lack of intro, but I have spent the whole afternoon on the web looking for information on this fish and my searches must be off, not much coming up!!!


Basically, I have a small tropical tank (80cm long I think) due to arrive this Wednesday. I am looking forward to setting up and have been considering what fish to keep.

The fish I would really like to have are a pair of the fish in the title. They are really beautiful and being small I hoped at least two might do ok in my tank. I can't seem to find many on aquarist stock lists though.

What I really want to know is...

Is there a minimum tank size for these guys? How would they like their decor?!

Are they difficult? I've been led to believe not but if yes may need to reconsider, I had goldfish for years but this is my first tropical tank.

How much will I have to pay for them do you think? Are they hard to get hold of?

What tank mates could they have? I'm so besotted I want to sculpt their home around them and am not exactly 'emotionally' attached to any other fish as yet- but small cheap fish must of course, precede them to ensure all is well etc... and ideally I don't want guppies, swordtails or mollies, find them sorta boring- just from seeing them in so many neighbours tanks!

Please link ANYWHERE and to any threads I have not spotted yet.
Thanks so much everyone, am sure you can help!

 

[Peter Lovett]

Could i first off ask where you live?

Nanacara anomala are great little fish and are a good beginner fish as long as your water is not to hard and alkaline.

You tank size is fine and you could keep 1 male and 2 females in there. The tank should have a fine substrate with bogwood, rocks and well planted.

Almost all smaller tetras will make good tank mates.

If you would like to spawn this fish the Ph should be no more than 6.5 and a hardness of no more than 150ppm.

 

[Maroonostrich]

Thanks for the information!

I'm in North east England, Northumberland.

I was going to buy dechlorinator today- do you think I need a different water treatment?

 

[Peter Lovett]

What the water like up there?

 

[aloaring]

Lovely Fish i used to have a pair but really i think he needed a harem as the male haressed her a lot he once manged to rip the females tail off (luckily it grew back!! )
Could be hard to get hold of but a good LFS should be able to order a group of juvenilles in!
Put in lots of plants and little caves for them to use as they can be shy fish!!

 

[Maroonostrich]

Ummmm water ... I am honestly not sure you know... where can I find out?

Anyone else know? I just planned to treat for chlorine but I am not sure if it's dangerously hard or similar...

 

[Maroonostrich]

*brainwave* I'm visiting an aquarist atore about 10 mins drive from home on Thursday, presumably our water will be similar and he may be able to advise me?!

 

[Peter Lovett]

Yes he should be able to let you kniw what the water in your area is like and if you take a sample he may also be able to test it for you.

 

[Maroonostrich]

Fantastic! Thank you! Then hopefully he can recommend a treatment as approp...


I'm expecting a lot from this dude I have never met in his aquaria only shop on the high street!!! But I bet he'll be better than my other possible resources.. a high street pet shop full of dying platties and a garden centre!

 

[Peter Lovett]

One thing I would say don't buy anything untill you check back here there are many ways of getting the right water without it costing to much.

I will run though the best methods with you when you find out what your water is like.

 

[Maroonostrich]

I need to start getting decor anywhere so will definitely be spending in his shop, am sure he can help. Let you know as soon as I can, appreciate the help.

Tank is arriving tomorrow. Once I have that safely in the house I can begin the process of setting up.

 

[Peter Lovett]

http/www.nwl.co.uk/content/yourWater.asp...=36&collapse=91

have a look here should i hope have your water listed.

 

[Maroonostrich]

YES! There it is!!! Nice one!

Here we go, what does it say....

HARDNESS; 9

DESCRIPTION; Medium

Alkalinity to pH 4.5 (Total);
Min; 39
Average; 67
Max; 94
Count; 12

Calcium (Total);
Min; 36
Average; 45
Max; 50
Count; 4



A lot of that baffles me, is it helpful for yourself?

 

[Peter Lovett]

Yes it's help full to the point its not too hard which is good lets just put it this way down here we are at 26 on the Clarke scale. You should be able to get a some very nice water for your fish by filtering it though peat or by adding peat in the filter. Really just need peat. If you want me to run though the whole method let me know.

From the list given you have some pretty good water for South Americans

 

[Maroonostrich]

Wow, that's great news. Thank you!

Ok, what do I need to do with peat?! Do I stuff it in something or..?

Sorry, been a while since I handled a tank! Thanks again!