Cichlids-- help! (Viewer discretion advised)

I have two assorted african cichlids that are about 3 - 3.5 inches. At Water World (local fish store) they sell smaller assorted africans (not even an inch long). Can I pair the little guys with my current cichlids?

 

What size tank is this? Can you give us more info? Also, smaller cichlids tend to get pestered or attacked, so probably not.

 

LeoDiaz can help, and yes, we need more info.

 

It's a 20 gallon tank.

 

That's too small for mbuna. I'd upgrade to at least a 55.

 

It's a 20 gallon tank.

You will need more room for cichlids than 20 gal. Do you know what kind of Africans you have?

 

Yea we need to know what kind of Africans you have...?

 

Yes; I respectfully disagree. I have a dogtooth and a yellowfin Borleyi. Two more africans would be fine.

 

Yes; I respectfully disagree. I have a dogtooth and a yellowfin Borleyi. Two more africans would be fine.

Welcome to FishLore

I am not sure why you asked if you already felt adding them would be ok.

 

You asked the question already knowing the answer or just waiting til you heard the answer you wanted?

 

Haha, I see where the confusion came about. I was simply wondering if the smaller cichlids might be bullied or something, that's all. I meant to say thay I knew that 2 more REGULAR sized afticans would be okay, just needed to know if the small ones would work. I'll be more clear next time, thanks anyways!

 

In that small of a tank I would yes they will probably fight over territory, and be aggressive.

 

Thank you!

 

That makes sense.

 

None of those cichlids should be in a 20 gallon I would rehome them, they will end up killing each other...
A dogtooth is a mbuna not a good idea in a 20 gallon with a borleyi

 

Thanks for the feedback; could you explain why these two shouldn't be together?

 

If they are both females, the only problem you have is that the borleyI will get about 6 inches long, and needs swimming room. A long 20 is only 30 inches, not nearly enough.

At the moment that fish is not yet mature. If the Cynotilapia is a male, he may get very aggressive, and Mbuna have nastier teeth than the borleyi. Also, depending on the species/population, he may also get as large as 5 inches. If both fish turn out male, there could be territorial aggression between the two.

If you try to add more fish, any new fish will be killed quickly unless it is highly aggressive, in which case it will kill them. Long term, it has less than a 50/50 chance of working out as is. Add fish, and the odds get worse.

 

Not what I expected, thank you!

 

Those fish will be like 7 inches full grown. They will not thrive in a 20 gallon tank.



Sorry was mobile and didn't see other replies! Good luck with your fish babies.

 

I have two assorted african cichlids that are about 3 - 3.5 inches. At Water World (local fish store) they sell smaller assorted africans (not even an inch long). Can I pair the little guys with my current cichlids?

Looks like u didn't get a warm enough welcome to FishLore. Anyways WELCOME TO FISHLORE!!!!!! . That's cool, you have african cichlids, I have some too. I know everybody told you, you need a bigger tank and I mean it is small but can look in to getting a bigger tank. A good place to look for one is on Craigslist. You can find tanks for cheap with everything included. Like me I got a 55 gallon tank With gravel, ornaments... I believe I got a filter and heater with it all for like 70 bucks. So ya that's a place you can find tanks for cheap. Like everybody was BASICALLY saying is that your Africans would be happier if they had more water to roam in. Hope this help and I hope you check out Craigslist. If u want let me know what u plan to do and if u need help, we(FishLore people) can help u and give u recommendations to make ur fishkeeping experience great.

Oh and here r my African cichlids!

 

Thanks so much!!! I unfortunaltey don't have the money or the room for a bigger tank. Would getting rid of the cichlids be my only option?

 

Thanks so much!!! I unfortunaltey don't have the money or the room for a bigger tank. Would getting rid of the cichlids be my only option?

Well it would depend, you do have some time to save, they won't grow over nite. If you want to keep them I'd upgrade. The Craigslist post is a great idea. I had to upgrade my cichlids as well since the store I purchased them never said my 30 gallon wasn't large enough. I had them in there for 4 months before I upgraded. Hope this helps, and don't give up just yet!! Also welcome to the forum. It's a lovely place for fish info.

 

Just another idea I thought of is that u could start with baby cichlids( but not like fry just tiny cichlids) and watch them grow till they 2, 3 inches and then give them away and then u could get baby cichlids again that are different. This way u can enjoy them for a while and u get a variety of cichlids so you can see multiple types of cichlids.