Very Small New Cichlids

chmielio54

chmielio54

Small Fish
#1
Jan 13, 2008
24
0
0
#1
okay so i made a big mistake and i understand it, i bough 5 new half-1/4 inch long new mbuna cichlids, well the current cichlids i have a 4 inches or so, one new one got killed but that was my own stupidity, but im worried for the others. I do have a fry net for the tank should i put the four little ones in there until their over an inch, or because they made it through the night let them stay with the adults?

Thank you so much for your reply
 

F

FishGeek

Elite Fish
#3
May 13, 2005
4,294
5
0
38
South Carolina
#3
Your best bet is to seperate them. You want to give them a decent amount of space so that they can grow. If you cram them into a breeder net they are going to grow much slower. The other option is to return them. If you leave them in your tank they will die. They are too small to fight for food against your other fish and your other fish may see them as a food source. Next time I wouldnt buy any fish unless its that same size as your current fishor there abouts.
 

Hamburgler

Hamburgler

Large Fish
#4
Jan 8, 2007
186
0
0
corrupt lfs
#4
If your tank is setup with lots of rocks (ideally), and even plants. Small fish that like should do fine. Anyone who has had mbuna spawn knows that when females spit fry quite a few of them may end up surviving. With enough hiding spots and some time to realize whats going on they should be fine. At least in my experience. Leaving the lights off for a while might give them time to get a hiding spot.

Post a pic of your tank...maybe we can give you some tips.
 

Last edited:
Kephren01

Kephren01

Large Fish
#5
Aug 29, 2006
134
0
0
New Jersey
#5
hiding spots that only the small guys can fit in, could work. Another idea depending on how big your tank is, they sell "separators" basically a big wall net, to split your tank into 2 sections, keeping the water quality the same. You could try that for a while.
 

Hamburgler

Hamburgler

Large Fish
#7
Jan 8, 2007
186
0
0
corrupt lfs
#7
Looks like a good start...adding more rocks and working with it helps. It takes a while to get something that you like and that works best. By the looks of it you have some pretty big looking ones in there, so any small spots will obviously help. You could try the divider as well...
 

marvin

marvin

Large Fish
#10
Jul 7, 2007
264
0
0
florida
#10
chmielio54 said:
okay so i made a big mistake and i understand it, i bough 5 new half-1/4 inch long new mbuna cichlids, well the current cichlids i have a 4 inches or so, one new one got killed but that was my own stupidity, but im worried for the others. I do have a fry net for the tank should i put the four little ones in there until their over an inch, or because they made it through the night let them stay with the adults?

Thank you so much for your reply
Click to expand...
............cichlids will make room for them self's in a over crowded tank some one said mbuna dont get large "The mbunas are elongated fishes with a notably blunt head. They range in maximum size from four to six inches. Their coloration is their main appeal to most people. Their colors vary from solid orange-reds, yellows, blues, white and others to patterns including orange-blotched (OB), vertical black bars, horizontal black lines, and many others. Many people choose them because to the untrained eye they are mistakable for saltwater fish, but do not require the extra expense or effort of a marine aquarium." another article said 8 inches. mbunas are herbavores and will not eat a fish over one inch.. i have several mbuna over 6 inches.. i would send pics but even that 1,000 words would not convince you i can see that
 

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