I’m trying to get a tank of African Cichlids up and running for my husband. I have very little experience with fish, but have done a little bit of research. I have a 29 gallon tank with a heater (It’s 79 degrees). The ph of my water is about 8.2, and I have gravel, some artificial plants, and a lot of large rock for them to hide in. I had the tank up and running with no fish in it for about 3 weeks before I got the fish. Last week I got 11 small africans and put them in the tank after acclimating them, and they all died in the last 2 days. They didn’t appear to be ill, looked healthy, and were eating some flake food and brine shrimp. I’m going to take a water sample and a couple of the fish back to the pet shop to have them checked, but would like some input. My husband has had cichlids in the past (lost them in his divorce), and I’m trying to get a new tank up and running as a surprise for him. I’m getting pretty frustrated with it, though.
First, that’s way too many for that size tank. Some will say it’s ok to slightly overstock a tank with Africans, but I wouldn’t have more then 4 or 5 tops in your tank, and that may be pushing it. Depending on what types of AFricans you’re getting, they usually grow to at least 6 inches.
Another thing, you should research the care requriements for the fish. A lot of Africans should have a mostly vegetable diet, like spirulina flakes, veggie crisps, algae wafers, and no more then once a week or two brine shrimp or other protein source. I believe it’s the Malawi cichlids-could be wrong, but too much protein can cause bloat/dropsy in them.
You’re fish most likely died from ammonia poisoning, especially since all of them died. You need to cycle your tank first. Here’s a link that explains what that is, it’s the first article. The second article talks about ammonia poisoning, read that one over and check the symptoms:
http://freshaquarium.about.com/od/startupcycle/Step_5_The_Cycle.htm
Your ph is great for them, they’ll love it. Temp is good. Just need to get yourself a test kit so you can monitor the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels.
And, I have a question….how are you setting up a tank without your husband seeing it lol?
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It sounds like your tank wasn’t cycled properly, so you fish died of ammonia poisoning.
Here’s a site to get you through the cycling process.
http://www.firsttankguide.net/cycle.php
BTW, if you can, find a fish store, not a pet store. They tend to be more knowledgeable, and have healthier fish.
Good luck.
Oh, and that’s way too many fish for your tank size.
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The tank is too small for that many fish! Those fish can get pretty big and unless you plan on upsizing the tank I wouldn’t get more than 2. Your amonia level is probably to high. Do a few water changes and you should be good to go!
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Did you use any ammonia in the tank during those 3 weeks? If not, nothing was accomplished during this time. A tank running empty for 3 weeks is the same as a tank running empty for a day. Research “Fishless cycling” and it will show you how to properly prepare the tank for adding the fish. as this is doubtlessly what killed yours.
But you really should consider something more suitable to your tank. If you cycle properly and try cramming 11 random cichlids into the tank again, the deaths will be further down the road from now, won’t be all at once, and will be much more violent – but they will happen.
African cichlids are very active and aggressive fish and a 29 gallon tank is considered very small. You need to be very, very careful with your species selection and how many you cram into the tank.
“African Cichlids” is a fairly vague term that covers 3 different lakes and many rivers, fish from an inch long to two feet long, and includes all sorts of diets, behaviours, breeding habits… What types are you trying?
When it comes to the popular “Malawi” cichlids, your tank is just too small to work with. You can squeeze a group of 4 Electric Yellows, or a group of P. Saulosi, or a trio of an Aulonocara. But 11 of any fish from this lake in this tank will not work – way too much fish. I would never even consider these fish in less then a 36″ long tank, and a 48″ long tank is ideal. I don’t recommend getting into these fish unless you can provide a proper tank size.
Additional “African Cichlids” you can do in this tank is a pair of Tanganyikan rock dwellers like Leleupi, some Julidochomis, Brichardi, or Caudopunctatus. You can also set it up different and get yourself several shell dwellers. But there isn’t room for more then one Tanganyikan species in the tank. You also have the option of removing some rocks, adding more plants, and trying out Kribensis.
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Well you should have about half of what you did have and the ph could go a little lower about 7.8 might do better, I have 3 55 gallon tanks full of cichlids that I have had for 2 years and they all have lived so try that and if you have anymore problems you can email me from my profile, good luck!!!
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all said is true, plus you may want to get a few or just one hardy fish to start a cycle…Did you let the fish sit in the bags for water adjustment before letting them lose, 78 is a bit high at first, sometimes store water is a bit cooler, and hot water will burn their gills.bring a water sample to the pet store and let them test it. If they told you 11 fish were good for you tank, they need to be fired, they are just trying to sell the fish..remember 1 gallon for every inch of fish. I have Africans and they are very Territorial, i have had many death,s all from fighting,,,five to six is max that i would put in there, get some Cory’s to clean the bottom, but that’s about it..
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