jsho

How sensitive are the GBR's? The LFS says that they will not put a "guarantee" on them b/c they are so sensitive. I've just now started my tank over and these guys have caught my eye. So far ive got:

1 Geophagus
2 Demosoni
1 Vampire Pleco

I thought i would go ahead and add the GBR so he or she could get acclimated before i put anything else in the tank(I only plan on getting one GBR).

I plan on adding:

2 Cyprichromis Leptosoma "Bulu Point"
1 Aulonocara Firefish
1 Cyntilapia Afra "Cobue"
1 Otopharynx Lithobate


I know the GBR's like good water quality and that shouldnt be a problem but i didnt want them so picky that if i couldnt do a water change one week it would die on me. is there any info someone could give me about this?

cerianthus

Hi! jsho,
It seems you want more of African Cichlids.
If you have very hard and alkaline water, I would just stick to fish out of such water parameters. Geo and GBR are more adapted to softer and slightly acidic water and so is the Pleco.
I'm not saying you can not keep them as you planned. It is your tank after all. I used to try different things when I was young only to come to conclusion Why dont I just give them what they need, their natural conditions they evolved and adpted to.

afra, demasoni (mbuna; rock dwellers), lithobates and Alunocara (peacocks; free-swimmer) from Lake Malawi.
Cyprichromis leptosoma from Lake Tang (more sensitive than above).
Both Lake Malawi and Tang waters are very hard and alkaline.

Have few questions for you.
Is tank well established (cycled)?
What are pH, ammonia, nitrite readings from tests?
What kind of rocks and substrate?

I dont think GBR is sensitive when given what they need and well stablized at lfs after long trip being shipped from Far East (unless bred locally).

I know that some people will/have said that they have kept gbr in such hard and alkaline water and even spawned. Yes. I've seen it.

If one understand Renal Functions (kidney) of organisms, one may think otherwise, just like advantages of salt in F/w.
Although different fish will react differently to salt, adv far outweighs the disadvantages if done properly.
I read lots of disadv of salt in f/w from members. I have not responded to any yet but happens to read this article and wanted to bring it to our members.

If possible p/u a copy of Jan 2009 FAMA. There is an article by Paul Speice about salt in F/W.
I thnk this concept will convince why we should give fish what their physiological/anatomical needs are to see them live long and happy life in our care.

Pardon me for long post and hope this help you out a bit!

jsho

Yes the tank is established, i had it up and going for a while before i even put the first fish in it. Im not sure on the pH, its something I usually don't test. As far as the ammonia and nitrite they are both at 0. i have Holy rock and crushed coral as the substrate. i cant get rid of my geo and plec but maybe i should go in the direction you suggested. What other fish would you recommend with what i want (excluding the GBR)? Should I rule out the GBR?

Also, what would you suggest the pH be at if i got the other fish?