Newbie cichlids owner need some advice

**rookie** · 8th Dec 2011, 18:59

I notice that 2 of my poor cichlids are being constantly chased around. Their fins are now torn and tattered.

How can I help them?

**leoccl86** · 8th Dec 2011, 20:20

You can segregate them using dividers or breeding nets. Add some melafix to speed up the recovery

**rookie** · 8th Dec 2011, 23:03

Seriously no idea where to get those. Any LFS should have them or?

One of them died due to massive injuries.

I noticed some of them are really aggressive and are actually fighting with the others. And I mean REAL fighting!

Anything I can do to stop the madness?

Or do I need to give the aggressive ones away?

**leoccl86** · 9th Dec 2011, 01:15

LFS do sell them.

There are many reasons why they turn aggressive.
1. Grown mature to 'territorize'. This is one of their natural traits. This means they need more space.
2. Breeding started. The dad and mom will mark out their breeding "cave". Any fish comes near will be attacked. Reduce fish in the tank or remove the mom.
3. Both the attacked fish are mothers with eggs in their mouth. Meaning the moms tried to protect the eggs from the rest of the fishes. They should be segregated.

**Jhontan** · 14th Dec 2011, 12:28

Originally Posted by rookie

Hi all I recently set up a tank with 18 cichlids. I don't even know what species they are. Just thought they looked damn pretty so I bought it.

1) what species are they?

2) they can sure crap a lot! Not that I have any issues with it though. what kind of sucker fish (to finish up the crap) can I put in together with those fishes?

Any advice appreciated. Attached pic of tank. Sorry for lousy image.

Thanks in advance!

The colorful cichlids have always be the attraction for hobbyists. I always compare them with marine fishes. However as they are territorial in nature, you need to provide a lot of hideouts for them lest they brawl with one another.

**rookie** · 14th Dec 2011, 21:56

Many thanks for all your kind advices.

From 18 fishes now I'm left with 10.

I've re-arranged the rocks to provide more hiding space for the weaker ones. But I noticed the weak ones don't even want to hide in there and rather stay out in the open? How come?

Anyway the rocks are turning green with algae together with the sides of the tank.

I read about siamese algae eaters and am thinking of getting 2 of them. Can they co-exists with the cichlids? If so, where can I get them? I'm quite clueless on which LFS have what.

**Jhontan** · 15th Dec 2011, 09:59

Originally Posted by rookie

Many thanks for all your kind advices.

From 18 fishes now I'm left with 10.

I've re-arranged the rocks to provide more hiding space for the weaker ones. But I noticed the weak ones don't even want to hide in there and rather stay out in the open? How come?

Anyway the rocks are turning green with algae together with the sides of the tank.

I read about siamese algae eaters and am thinking of getting 2 of them. Can they co-exists with the cichlids? If so, where can I get them? I'm quite clueless on which LFS have what.

I do not know whether siamese algae eater will complement with your existing mixture of cichlids. I kept common kribs with tetras as well. I bought zebra snails from LFS recently and so far so good. My tank is clean paying tribute to the snails.

**sams** · 8th Jun 2012, 01:45

In reference to the very top picture you posted, Far left is a Peacock, blue is a Demasoni, spotted is a Venusts, yellow is Red Zebra. All the species are on this page with pictures: http://cichlidadvice.com/african-cichlid-species.htm