Minnow

My bio teacher recently rescued a cichlid, a pleco, and a bumblebee catfish from relatives who were going to flush the fish. She put them in her 20 gallon tank. I adopted the catfish, so right now the tank holds:

2 large mollies
2 white skirt tetras
3 guppies
1 pleco
1 cichlid

I've told her the pleco will need a larger tank, but I'm not sure about the cichlid. I don't know very much about cichlids, so I don't know what kind it is. I've tried looking online, but I haven't made any progress. I brought my camera in today to take pictures, because I figured someone on here would know what it is. Any ideas?

Attached Images

	Cichlid.JPG (53.7 KB, 39 views)
	Cichlid 2.JPG (80.6 KB, 38 views)
	Cichlid 3.JPG (41.3 KB, 34 views)
	Cichlid 4.JPG (47.3 KB, 37 views)

Amanda

It's African. That's all I know. lol.

Shawnie

looks like a lake malawi african ..but im new to the africans so not 100% sure ..but deffinately an african cichlid

cerianthus

Looks like pretty old M. auratus and shouldnt be w/ mollies, tetras, guppies.

Angela_96

It is def a Mel aurartus, and it is true it has no business being with the other fish, malawi mbunas only. Its an extremly aggressive species of mbuna. Its a male btw.

Minnow

Thanks, you two! I'll let my teacher know. The only issue now is rehoming it (and the pleco). I don't know anyone who can take them, and the only pet store I trust doesn't take fish. Would Craigslist be a good option?

My teacher likes both of them, and is reluctant to let them go. I think if I came to her with a plan for rehoming them, or offered to find homes for them myself, she would be more willing to give them up. I know the current situation can't last long, and I want to get it sorted out as soon as possible.

Oh, and I have one more question. Sometimes when I look at the cichlid, its coloring is reversed-- white with two black stripes. Then it will switch back, right before my eyes. Is this normal? I thought it might have something to do with stress.

Angela_96

the color change is typical of malawi mbuna, they are like "mood fish" its aggression most likely.

Minnow

Ah, that makes sense. I was a bit confused when I looked over and the fish looked entirely different, I'm glad it's normal.

Minnow

Ugh, this is so frustrating. I told my teacher what species it is, and that it won't get along with others. I told her there was a good chance it would kill them, and she shrugged and said she likes the cichlid better anyways.

I don't know how to persuade her to get rid of it. I suppose I could tell her to get a bigger tank (she told me she might). What size tank would it need? Could the pleco go in there with it? Can it even have tankmates?

Of course, that would mean either leaving them in their current tank while she sets up and cycles a new one, or putting them in before it's cycled.

What should I do? I think she's getting sick of my constant advice (and reprimands), she doesn't really think it's that important to have fish that are compatible and won't outgrow the tank.

Angela_96

Get a print out of a profile on malawi mbuna, that should help.

They need at least a 55g tank, and you overstock them (as in 15 cichlids to a tank) to help lower aggression.
cichlid forums website has a lot of info (just do a google for that forum) it has profiles, and search for a cookie cutter that will help with stocking.

Personally imo it depends on the size of tank for the pleco and what type it is. If its a common they need a 75g tank+.

Minnow

Thanks! The pleco is a common.

So if I understand correctly, she can either:

1. Get a 75g tank for the cichlid and pleco and get more malawi mbunas

or

2. Find new homes for both fish.

The issue with #1 is that I don't know if she could handle a large cichlid tank. From what I've read, you need specific conditions and extra equipment, and I'm not sure if she could provide that. She has enough trouble with the 20g, is getting another tank really a good option? She has a baby daughter, along with working as a teacher, so I don't know how much free time she has.

Then again, she's mentioned wanting to get a bigger tank, and she seems interested in larger fish. She certainly likes her cichlid, and maybe having a tank with fish she's really interested in would be motivation to care for the fish. She's done a lot of work in marine biology, and certainly likes aquatic life.

The issue with #2 is stated above: I don't know how to find new homes for these two fish, and my teacher isn't motivated to. I don't think Craigslist is a good option, and that's the only thing I can think of at the moment.

Any thoughts?

Angela_96

Honestly I think a larger tank is a lot easier to take care of than a 20g. Malawi cichlids are pretty easy to care for, just a good strong filitration system, a lot of hiding spots (just limestone is fine), crushed coral and or sand substrate, heater, lights and they are set.
They like hard water and high pH, which is very easy to maintain with most city water, crushed coral and limestone. Feeding is easy as well, spirulla flakes, and a good cichlid flake rotated with fresh veggies...

You can let the algae grow all it wants on the rocks and back wall for them to eat.

It might well help her get involved more with fish. She c an also involve her kids at school, and her daughter in the care. I say if I can be pregnant, have a dog, cat and 2 kids one 7 and one 3, work and take care of 10 tanks.... anyone can.... lol

Minnow

Okay, thanks for the input. I see what you mean about a larger tank being easier-- the main problem she was having with the 20g was water quality, so having more volume would help there. I'll tell her the two choices, and I think she'll probably decide to get a larger tank. Hopefully she will become a more responsible fish owner.

((I just realized how silly it is that I'm the one trying to teach my biology teacher... about biology! Aquariums count as bio, right? You have to have the right environment, and know about the species...))