I've recently added cichlids to my 165L tank (aprox. 40g) I think. It was an established tank that has only had a bristlenosed catfish in it for the last couple of years. I've never had cichlids before but bought the following on advice from the lady the shop. There are 12 cichlids in total 2 peacocks (one male & female), 2 electric yellows, 2 cobalt blues, 2 demasoni, 2 maingano, 2 pulu point red zebra & the bristlenose.
They've been in there for nearly two months without any problems. I've got quite a few pieces of rock in there with what I think is plenty of hiding holes. I'm not sure whether it's sick or just being picked on.
Today I've noticed that the smallest maingano has been swimming quite frequently at the surface behind the water inlet. Sometimes it looks like its almost floating on its side but when I take a closer look it swims away.
All of the other fish seem to be fine. The other day I saw the peacocks 'dancing' around each other which I assume was a mating ritual (this is my first time with cichlids) which I would assume they would only do if they were happy & healthy.
Could it be that it is just being picked on? Do I have too many fish in the tank?
I'm doing a 1/4 change each week and also adding salt equivalent to the water replaced.
I'm also unsure of the water parameters that I currently have but have been going on the info in the leaflet that came with the test strips.
Water parameters are
Gh ppm (mg/L) 180
Kh ppm (mg/L) 240
Ph 7.5
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 40
Would love any advice or thoughts especially on anything I'm dong wrong.
They've been in there for nearly two months without any problems. I've got quite a few pieces of rock in there with what I think is plenty of hiding holes. I'm not sure whether it's sick or just being picked on.
Today I've noticed that the smallest maingano has been swimming quite frequently at the surface behind the water inlet. Sometimes it looks like its almost floating on its side but when I take a closer look it swims away.
All of the other fish seem to be fine. The other day I saw the peacocks 'dancing' around each other which I assume was a mating ritual (this is my first time with cichlids) which I would assume they would only do if they were happy & healthy.
Could it be that it is just being picked on? Do I have too many fish in the tank?
I'm doing a 1/4 change each week and also adding salt equivalent to the water replaced.
I'm also unsure of the water parameters that I currently have but have been going on the info in the leaflet that came with the test strips.
Water parameters are
Gh ppm (mg/L) 180
Kh ppm (mg/L) 240
Ph 7.5
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 40
Would love any advice or thoughts especially on anything I'm dong wrong.