best way to add cichlids to an existing tank

[fishtankmaster5]

i have heard of two ways, one, add the cichlids at night while the lights are off, and i also heard, that if you rearrange a little then that would be okay, are these good ways or are there better, anyone please help

 

[Orion]

Both are good methods of introduction. Rearangeing the tank breaks up any pre-existing teritories held by the fish, and when the new fish are introduced this allows them to be on a more equal playing field when they volley for new teritory with the fish that are already in there.

Having the lights off allows new fish to be introduced while the other fish are resting. This keeps the new ones from being imeadiate targets.

 

[fishtankmaster5]

ok so i should do both or just one?

 

[Orion]

Never hurts to do both. But I doubt you will be able to find a LFS open that late. And we don't want to keep you new fish in the bag untill night time do we?

I would rearange, turn the lights off, then add the new fish into the tank. This is still gaurantee that everything will go perfect, but at least help keep the aggression down.

 

[Kuroshio]

Whenever I add new fish I feed the tank, and then when their mouths are full I add the fish. Deafenately keep the lights off (did I spell that right?). Depending on how many fish you plan on adding, the more at once the better, instead of adding one at a time, all at once (up to say 9) then the inhabitants can't focus in on one particular fish. That's just what I do....