My babies are growing up...

[Auratus]

I have a 29 gallon with 2 jewel cichlids, which I am pretty sure are a male and female. One is super red and the other is a greyish color. And two auratus cichlids. After they hit maturity one started changing colors so I have a male and a female. The male is chasing the female around like crazy but I can't add more females for him because the tank is so small. I also noticed the male jewel has a nipped tail. Maybe it's from the male auratus? He's harrasing everything else. So, here is my question: What do I get rid of, add, or separate? I have considered my options and here are some of the ones I came up with:

1. get rid of male auratus and see if everyone gets along and maybe add another female auratus later making the tank have two female auratus and a male and female jewel.

2. Get rid of both auratus and have and buy a few more jewels. Have a species tank. But what if the older jewels pick on the new ones?

3. Get rid of both of the jewels and have an all auratus tank. Buy my male a few more females. But it's hard to tell sex in the lfs because they are so small.

So, all of my options have advantages and disadvantages... Can you guys help?

The auratus are bigger than the jewels, almost 3 inches. The jewels are more like 2.5. but I am attached to all of them and don't want to part but I have to do something.

 

[MAM]

oo,oo, perfect excuse to get a new tank!!!!!!
sorry, wish i had real advice to give. i'd personally be partial to keeping them all so maybe you should look into getting a new tank for one species and have two species tanks......................

 

[Aulonochromis]

#2 is your best bet. Auratus are just too mean and need a bigger tank. Female cichlids can still be very agressive.

 

[FishBazzar]

I suffer from short term memory loss..it runs in the family...or I think it does....hmmm where are they? -Dory

I love Finding Nemo too