Unexpectedly new cichlid keeper

[redfisher1139]

So, my newest 55g had finally fished cycling a few days ago, and I was planning to go tomorrow and get a few tetras to get it going, but I was surprised by a friend of mine who thought it would be "nice" to give me 2 fish for my birthday. Well, as you can tell by the title, my up and coming tetra tank will no longer be intended for tetras, as I now am the proud?(we'll see) owner of 2 African Cichlids (that's all he could tell me about what they were). He also got them at Wal-mart, so I don't have much faith in their health, but I couldn't tell him that. Anyway, for right now they are by themselves, and if they do well, I may get a few more, and figure out what sex I have now so I can get the right ratio. Any tips on cichlid keeping would be great, because all I know so far is to keep the ph up, which it naturally is about 7.8 from our tap.

 

[mudraker]

Neat present, even if it was from Wallyworld.

Any photos yet?

 

[redfisher1139]

Here you go. I went ahead and moved my young Sydo from my 10g, but he eventually will end up in a 75g. And, please, nevermind the lack of background, I was going to get that tomorrow with the tetras (still am).

As you can see, they have already built a little cave in the back corner. I'm gonna have to keep an eye on that so the rock doesn't slip.

 

[mfdrookie516]

Are they both the same? I couldn't tell if that was the same fish, or two different ones. Looks to me like Kenyi. Those are pretty simple to sex. Once they start maturing, the males turn a yellow or brown color, sometimes almost orange. The females stay light blue with dark blue bars

 

[redfisher1139]

OK, cool. So, if that's the case, then I have 1 and 1, as one stays vibrant blue all the time and the other is yellow with flashes of blue from time to time. I can't tell if it is actually changing colors or if the light hits it just right for a blue tone to pop out some times, but it is definately yellowish most of the time.

 

[mfdrookie516]

OK, cool. So, if that's the case, then I have 1 and 1, ...

Not necessarily. You may have 2 males. They look pretty small to me. Give it a few months and you'll have a better idea. This is what my male looked like at about 8-10 months old...

 

[mudraker]

Nice, hope they work out for you.