Need Basic Cichlid Info

[augustaranger]

Rescued a cichlid from a tank at a doctor's office. It had fin rot so severe that it's tail fin was completely gone. It's color was bad and it had a spot on it's flank. Five weeks in a warm salt bath with Stress Coat and it looks like a different fish, with it's scales back to the proper color, the spot gone and the tail fin about half way grown back. I now have it in a 10g with an Aquaclear 30 filter and an ornament with holes to hide in. I've been feeding it color flakes and tropical granules. I don't know what type of cichlid it is, but I suspect it's a common variety. It's completely an orange/gold color with no markings and is about 3 inches long.

Is a 10g OK for a single cichlid? Should I get another cichlid to keep it company? Do I need to buy cichlid pellets or is tropical food OK?

 

[Hollymolly4]

Don't have any info for you, just wanted to congratulate you on a job well done! Sounds like you've got the knack! Good luck!

 

[billy0510]

good job on the rescue first of all

I have kept cichlids for the last 7 years (wonderful fish), i would recommend getting some cichlid sticks (small or med that fish)or mine love frozen red worms and brine shrimp. A ten gallon tank is probably a little small for a cichlid and two in that tank might cause aggression issues especially if one is quite a bit smaller. A larger tank would be the way to go.

 

[dthoffsett]

Congrats on the successful rescue. Before determining the ideal tank size/mates/food, we'll need to id it. Is there any chance of you posting a picture?

Based on your description, my best guess would be metriaclima estherae with the most popular common name of Red Zebra. Check out the link and see if that's what you have.
[URL="http/www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1730"]http/www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1730[/URL]

 

[BigC]

It's completely an orange/gold color with no markings and is about 3 inches long.

Could be anything (adult, juvenile) any chance of a photo.
Regards
BigC

 

[augustaranger]

Yes, it is a metriaclima estherae or Red Zebra! I have searched for weeks and could not figure out what it was. I still don't know if it's male or female. The 10g is the only tank I can keep it in. Is there any other fish that I can put in with it? I really hate to keep the tank running just for 1 fish. I would appreciate any information specific to Red Zebras. Thanks!!!

 

[SJ2K]

Yes, it is a metriaclima estherae or Red Zebra! I have searched for weeks and could not figure out what it was. I still don't know if it's male or female. The 10g is the only tank I can keep it in. Is there any other fish that I can put in with it? I really hate to keep the tank running just for 1 fish. I would appreciate any information specific to Red Zebras. Thanks!!!

Best bet would be to get it back to fill health then sell/trade it at your LFS If you cant house it propperly in the long run may aswell take a chance that somone else will

Well Done!

 

[augustaranger]

Don't know if I would have much luck rehoming the Red Zebra. Would it be Ok with something like a tinfoil barb, German blue ram or an oto maybe?

 

[SJ2K]

Thats the thing, 1) 10g is a bit small for a 5" cichlid and 2) Malawi's cant really be kept with anything other then malawis.

Id check with your LFS, there pritty popular and easy to sell onto malawi keepers

 

[dthoffsett]

SJ2K is right, m.estherae one of the mbuna from Lake Malawi, should be kept with other mbuna with a minimum tank size of 4ft (55gal). While you could probably keep him/her in the 10gal, you wouldn't be able to add any other fish as he/she will consider the entire tank its territory. I would try to re-home it or trade it in if you won't be able to upgrade tanks.

Also, try to find some spirulina flakes or a fish food specific to African cichlids as your fish is an herbivore, and to much meaty protein can lead to bloat. You can also supplement with blanched zucchini (courgette), shelled peas, and leaf lettuce (avoid iceberg as it has little nutritional value).

 

[ryguy]

ok well first off Congrats on the rescue. second, if you are planning to give it away or if you are lucky sell it to a LFS, i wouldnt say it is a certain species. because you never bought it under a specific breed, and dont know where it came from like which store, it would be a bad idea for it to be sold as a red zebra. the reason behind that is that the buyer may breed it with other red zebras. if he does that and it turns out that it isnt a true red zebra then there would be a hybrid which if then brought out to other people would help the growing rate of destroying true breed cichlids. if you are to sell it make sure that it goes in a specific section that says assorted cichlids which usually means they are hybrids, or that they dont know what they are.