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October 16th, 2009
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| | Fish Addict
| Otos vs africans
Do otos get along with african cichlids?
Thanks | 
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October 16th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| Quote:
Originally Posted by ilikefish  Do otos get along with african cichlids? | In my opinion, no.
Otos are very skittish fish (in my experience) that prefer softer, acidic waters; african cichlids, on the other hand, tend to be more aggrsesive and prefer harder alkaline waters. edit: finally found the thread I was looking for! Otocinclus Cats In My Mbuna Tank?
Last edited by mathas; October 16th, 2009 at 10:22 AM.
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October 16th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| I agree with mathas....total snack for the africans....africans are species only tanks...go out of that rule of thumb could be disaster  | |
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October 16th, 2009
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| | Fish Addict
| Alright thanks. Any ideas for helping keeping the algae down in a planted tank? | |
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October 16th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| Quote:
Originally Posted by ilikefish Alright thanks. Any ideas for helping keeping the algae down in a planted tank? | If you have mbuna african cichlids just feed them less, in the wild they eat algae being vegetarians.
Its fun to watch them graze off the rocks. If we were going away for the week we use to feed them more so they wouldn't eat the algae and then do a big water change just before we left and then when we came home the tank would be spotless with no algae!
Other than that i have tried BN's but they got eaten, the only fish i can keep alive in their tank is a common pleco we have thats 10" but he just hides and doesn't eat the algae. You could try a few pond snails but mine will even eat them!
Anna | |
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October 16th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| great advice anna!
and so very true..ive never seen any tanks of african cichlids with algae(other than diatoms)...most of them are herbivores and would tear it all up | |
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October 16th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| Quote:
Originally Posted by ilikefish Alright thanks. Any ideas for helping keeping the algae down in a planted tank? | Can you clarify what type of africans you either have or plan to have? A planted tank may not work out at all... as Anna and Shawnie pointed out, many africans are herbivorous.
If you do have non-vegetarian cichlids, eliminating the cause of the algae rather than treating the symptoms would solve the problem. Almost all algae in planted tanks is caused by an imbalance between lighting, nutrients, and available carbon. | |
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October 16th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| Quote:
Originally Posted by mathas Can you clarify what type of africans you either have or plan to have? A planted tank may not work out at all... as Anna and Shawnie pointed out, many africans are herbivorous.
If you do have non-vegetarian cichlids, eliminating the cause of the algae rather than treating the symptoms would solve the problem. Almost all algae in planted tanks is caused by an imbalance between lighting, nutrients, and available carbon. | he has the miracle africans! labs, acei's and a few others...wish I could get mine to not eat live plants!!!!!  | |
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October 16th, 2009
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| | Fish Addict
| Quote:
Originally Posted by mathas Can you clarify what type of africans you either have or plan to have? A planted tank may not work out at all... as Anna and Shawnie pointed out, many africans are herbivorous.
If you do have non-vegetarian cichlids, eliminating the cause of the algae rather than treating the symptoms would solve the problem. Almost all algae in planted tanks is caused by an imbalance between lighting, nutrients, and available carbon. | I'm not sure if my cichlids (acei, yellow labs, red shoulder peacocks) are vegetarians or not but they don't ever mess with the plants so i don't think they are... As far as lighting... I tried less lighting but my plants were beginning to brown and leaves were dying (which i took out). I increased the lighting and now the plants are doing well... But the algae is sprouting too and its the ugly diatom algae that makes the entire tank look gross. Quote:
Originally Posted by Shawnie he has the miracle africans! labs, acei's and a few others...wish I could get mine to not eat live plants!!!!! | Why are they "miracle africans?" and yours eat plants? That would be pretty cool if mine did... then i wouldn't worry so much about feeding them allll the time...
Last edited by Shawnie; October 16th, 2009 at 04:30 PM.
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October 16th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| Quote:
Originally Posted by ilikefish I'm not sure if my cichlids (acei, yellow labs, red shoulder peacocks) are vegetarians or not but they don't ever mess with the plants so i don't think they are... As far as lighting... I tried less lighting but my plants were beginning to brown and leaves were dying (which i took out). I increased the lighting and now the plants are doing well... But the algae is sprouting too and its the ugly diatom algae that makes the entire tank look gross. | yes they are vegie eaters...diatoms will go away on their own..your tank is so new, its expected....my africans dont mess with the diatoms ....just be patient and let the tank settle..in no time, the brown will be gone..count your blessings you can have ANY live plants with those fish LOL
EDIT: Quote: |
Why are they "miracle africans?" and yours eat plants? That would be pretty cool if mine did... then i wouldn't worry so much about feeding them allll the time...
| Miracle afrians are yours that dont eat your live plants....all africans eat plants and not sure why yours arent....and also, africans have to be fed all the time to keep them from killing each other. ...what are you feeding your tribe? and your babies are so new and the tank is also, that all that could change as they grow..I know mine did!
Last edited by Shawnie; October 16th, 2009 at 04:32 PM.
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October 16th, 2009
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| | Fish Addict
| Ok well ill definitely be ready for this now thanks for the heads up. I'm also glad diatoms isn't a permanent issue... whew... And ya my Africans are almost all pretty young. Im gonna get ready and get some plants growing in my grow out tank and if/when the day comes that they start eating the plants i'll put them in rehab and then add plants and just keep swapping.
Thanks again! | |
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October 16th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| your welcome!!!
see if your LFS has a veggie clip..and then buy some green leafy lettuce...put one big leaf in 3 times a week, and let them feed ...it might help keep the plants but I highly doubt it as they are just piggs with food....and as far as the diatoms, they can last up to a year or so..so dont get frustrated..if you can get a pic, that will help members see if its actually diatoms thats causing you the grief.. | |
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October 16th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Shawnie I agree with mathas....total snack for the africans....africans are species only tanks...go out of that rule of thumb could be disaster | there are exceptions lol like cons or the pictus lol | |
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