New to Site - Starting tank again after failed

Hey all,

Dar is my name from North Dublin. I have a Jewel Vision 180 tank that I have had for about 2 years now. I initially set it up with Cichlids but it did not work out too well for me as I found the aggressive cichlids simply killed the weak and did not make the experience fun or very pleasant. So I decided to switch from Cichlids even though I think they are a nicer fish to the likes of Tiger barbs, angel fish, gurami etc. To be honest, got very bored of them, they lacked the excitement I got while watching the Cichlids so I am going back to Cichlids now.

I gutted the tank, taking out half of the water in the tank and replacing with fresher water (treated of course and have left it for a week or so). I’m happy with PH now to start stocking up with fish. Just so you know I have an external Fluval 305 filter installed, took the internal one out. In the tank I have small gravel with two petrified pieces of wood along with background plants (artificial – see pic attached but I will try to get a better one up soon).

I suppose I am looking for some advice for the following:

1. Going back to cichlids, how many fish (Jewel 180 Ltr) is enough to begin with?
2. I know cichlids can be aggressive so would anyone have an example of some good variations to use (breed / qty)?
3. Cleaning / general maintenance of tank – In the past I have been a bit lazy with the tank and let it go by the waist side so turning over a new leaf to try and get back into it. How often should water changes / gravel siphoning / filter clearing should be done?
4. For cichlids what type of water treatment should be used on water already in tank and how often? I use treatment on all new water going in but do I need to do anything on the existing water on a regular basis?

Any other helpful hints or tips for this Cichlid beginner are more than welcome!!! (I am calling myself a beginner seen as the first attempt failed miserably)

Thanks all !
Dar

What kind of cichlids are you thinking of african lakes? or new world?

What kind of cichlids are you thinking of african lakes? or new world?

by the way, welcome to the forum:laugh:

Hi there, thanks very much!

To be honest I am a bit of a beginner an went in head first when I initially got the tank not knowing too much about the difference between the breeds of fish. What is the diff between new work & african, apart from the obvious location difference

Hi Dar and welcome!

New world means America, in this case South and Central America where most American Cichlids are found. So you've basically 2 large groups to choose from, each divided into several smaller groups.

From Africa you have 3 Lakes, Malawi, Tanganyika and Victoria. Each has different groups of cichlids but many can be mixed from different lakes as they share similar water requirements. Mainly hard basey water and PH above 8.0. There are also Riverine and Madigascar cichlids with similar albeit not as extreme requirements. Generally African cichlids are medium sized, brightly coloured and Torpedo shaped with several exceptions.

In America you have an enormous landmass from Mexico to the tip of Chile where american cichlids are found. These are more variable in water parameter requirements from the very High PH semi marine Trimaculatum to the extremely low PH acidic blackwaters of the Amazon drainage where you will find Dwarf cichlids, angelfish (also cichlids) and discus. Throughout this range there are many species of larger more aggressive but highly colourful cichlids that can fall under the common trade genera of Cichlasoma and aequidens, although scientificly they have many more names! There is also the geophagus or Eartheater group.

Generally American cichlids are laterally compressed (tall disc shaped fish) but with many exceptions. The fish in my avatar pic is a green terror, a good example of a typical medium to large American cichlid. the dwarfs however are usually peaceful and can be considered community fish as can angels. Discus are specialised and require an experienced fish keeper to keep healthy.

Now the most common in petshops are Malawi cichlids which is probably what you had previously.

So as you can see there are a miriad of cichlids to choose from! The question is how?? where do you start? The best and easiest way is to test the PH and hardness of your tap water, this will narrow it down allot! So if you can do that and tell us the results we can help you make the right decision.
regards
Jim

Good post Trimax.

Thanks! Heres some pics to help. typical African cichlids from Lake Malawi;

Notice the torpedo shape.

Typical American cichlids;

Notice the Taller 'flatter' body

Also the way the fish show colour is different, African cichlids tend to be 'self' coloured, ie if you turn out the lights the yellow malawi cichlid is still yellow, Much like marine reef fish such as their marine relations the chromides.

American cichlids tend to show more reflective colours on a dull base, changing hews and intensity as they move about with the light hitting them from different angles .

There are exceptions of course, eg; The Jewel cichlid from Africa resembles American cichlids more closely than it resembles it's African cousins.

All cichlids can change colour and pattern depending on mood, sex, position in the tank heirachy, age, diet, environment and season. but always show tell tale signs of species so identification is usually straight forward regardless of colour. There is of course more groups of cichlids that I haven't mentioned as they are usually rarely available or extreme in their tank requirements and thus are suited to advanced keepers. Such as the predatory Cichla 'peacock bass', the Asian cichlids and the Crenicichla or 'Pike' cichlids.

Were did you come across the pic of the malawi cichlids, would love to have a closer look

Alan

alkiely wrote:

Were did you come across the pic of the malawi cichlids, would love to have a closer look

Alan

Hi Alan, I got it from a site called 'malawi cichlid mayhem' a long time ago, cant remember where exactly and didn't see a bigger version. I think it's a photo of a poster you can buy.

I was thinking it was a poster looks good dough, just wondering thinking of setting up something small with cichlids.

haha, you have it bad Al!!