shawmutt
Aquarium Advice Addict
Against all odds, the sick cichlid is making a recovery and is now able to hide from the super-aggressive cichlid. I won't bore you with all the details once again, but here's the situation--the male kenyi has to go, into another tank or to the lfs. I have a 5 1/2 gallon tank and a 10 gallon tank, both with a full setup (filter, light, heater, etc.) , all I need is rocks and a bit of sand on the bottom. I use the 5 1/2 gallon for QT when needed, and use the 10 gallon to get my water ready for the main tank (add and dissolve salts, heat up, aerate). I really don't want to get rid of this cichlid, he's really a beautiful specimen but I can't have him killing all my other fish. With him gone, a yellow lab will most likely assume leadership, and they are definitely way less aggressive. I can also bump up the population a bit, probably getting 8-10 in total in the 30.
As usual, I am digressing.
My main question is this...which would be the better tank for the one cichlid, the 10 gallon or the 5? The max size of the fish is 5-6 inches, but I don't think he'll get that big, I don't feed them that often.
I want a balance of health for the fish, and aesthetic value. I don't want the tank to look empty. One idea I had was to make it a planted tank, but that would blow away the whole biotope ideal, and I have a feeling any plants would die in a tank with this cichlid. Whatever I do, I need to do it yesterday, for the benefit of my fish.
Any other ideas would definitely be appreciated. TIA!
As usual, I am digressing.
My main question is this...which would be the better tank for the one cichlid, the 10 gallon or the 5? The max size of the fish is 5-6 inches, but I don't think he'll get that big, I don't feed them that often.
I want a balance of health for the fish, and aesthetic value. I don't want the tank to look empty. One idea I had was to make it a planted tank, but that would blow away the whole biotope ideal, and I have a feeling any plants would die in a tank with this cichlid. Whatever I do, I need to do it yesterday, for the benefit of my fish.
Any other ideas would definitely be appreciated. TIA!
You could try making a really beautiful rock and wood arrangement with Anubias spp. plants. These are native to Africa, and seem to be some of the few species that survive cichlids decently.
