Light Temperment

[Kephren01]

How much light do african cichlids need? Mine should all be Malawian (I'm pretty sure). I had 7 in a 40 gallon tank. 2 mysteriously died. Another one now is hididng a lot and sitting on the ground. I've been at the pet store a million times, my water is great, and we can't figure out whats wrong. I was thinking maybe my lighting is no good... not giving them enough, or something. Were about a week away from breaking the whole thing down and starting over from scratch. Any thoughts? Thanks
Eric

 

[Cichlid-Man]

I've never heard of light being a problem. If i had to guess i'd say its either 2 things. The water or a bully. Both are very likely. When you say your water is fine what is fine? Do you happen to know the results?

 

[Kephren01]

I do not remember the results. I went to petsmart and they've tested my water like 7 times. The water as it stands now is "fine" meaning all the levels are normal for what cichlids should be.... and by normal I mean, that is what they tell me
bully... could be a problem

is there a good rule of thumb for lighting? The tank is in a dark place so when the lights are out its black... I have the lights go on for 3 hours in the morning and then 3 in the evening.

 

[Kephren01]

what would I do if a fish was a bully?

 

[JustOneMore20]

Any way you can post pictures and have your fish IDed? Some Malawians are alot more aggressive then others.

Also, do you know your pH? That probably didn't kill them because most fish can adjust, but it could be a factor in why they died.

If you have a bully, I'd take it to the LFS.

 

[Milo]

YEAH, POST SOME PICS OF YOUR CICHLIDS. It could posibly be that you might have some fish from different regions and this would probably answer all your questions about dead fish, and one who seems stressed.

 

[Kephren01]

what is LFS?

Lets see... I had a rafael (not cichlid but goes well with them)
Electric Yellow (Died)
Ice Blue Zebra (Died)
Acei
Red Zebra (the bright orange guys)
a regular (red) Jewel (currently hiding all the time and sitting on the bottom)
and a blue Jewel

I am not sure about any of my water quality numbers. I had it tested and then forgot what it all was, and I do not have any testing materials of my own.

 

[Kephren01]

if you guys still need pics let me know, i'll post them when I get home from work

 

[Milo]

HEY

LFS = Local Fish Store.

I would get your water tested again, bring some to your LFS and ask the to read you the readings.

Also, how often are you doing water changes? this could also point out poor water quality, which would and could explain some fish loss as well as stress.

lets get some pictures in here. not only to see what sorts of cichlids you have but aswell as to see your guys

Its odd that your yellow lab died, they are pretty hardy fish. Nevertheless, do not cancel out a bully, my sister bought a bunch of cichlids and put in a red devil and within 24 hours he killed all of them... he even killed a piranah, long story but to skip to the end our house smelled like burnt fish for a while. You do the math

 

[Fishckabibble]

it is your jewels... i can tell you right now they are not compatible with anything but very large agressive killer fish, they are nasty little demon spawn, and should not be kept with anything but their own kind if that, i would get rid of them asap, they also get very lage 6+ inches so they will dominate and kill everything in your tank if you dont watch them.

 

[Kephren01]

sorry the tank pic is crap... 50k limit..
that is the rafael, the red zebra, the elect yellow, the red jewel, the ice blue zebra, and i have to put up the blue jewel

 

[Kephren01]

*DRUMMER* (10 characters)

 

[Kephren01]

the jewels??? they are that crazy? Well it looks like I am going to be taking the rest back and redo'ing the tank from scratch with new fish so I'll watch for that. I know the worst of the 4 I have left is the red jewel, he swims and hides everytime I walk by.

 

[fibrechunk]

It is probably the mix of fish. But I have had some fish not do very well in poor lighting. Convicts I had just seemed disorganized and goofy when not in proper light.

 

[wayne]

Most fish prefer semi darkness, overcast lighting in my experience.

 

[silas313]

i got 1 red zebra and 2 yellow labs and 1 jeweled and no problems from jeweled? should i be concern and take it out still if no issues? my fish kinda hide in my tank in each territory and not much moving around.. any suggestions. because i got no fights that i see

 

[Hamburgler]

2 year bump?

it is your jewels... i can tell you right now they are not compatible with anything but very large agressive killer fish, they are nasty little demon spawn, and should not be kept with anything but their own kind if that, i would get rid of them asap, they also get very lage 6+ inches so they will dominate and kill everything in your tank if you dont watch them.

I take it you had a bad experience? Haha, jewels aren't bad unless you have a pair. 6+ is a stretch IMO.

 

[marvin]

2 year bump?



I take it you had a bad experience? Haha, jewels aren't bad unless you have a pair. 6+ is a stretch IMO.

agreed just take it as a learning experiance (call the spell poliece lol) pet smart may be your problem.

 

[brooklynfish]

It might be the jewels or it could be the water. Have petsmart give you the numbers next time.