[kwaynetwo]

I just started a 30 gallon tank I was wanting some colorfull fish. I was wanting something like bright yellow and blues. I have a oscar in the tank with 2 african ciclids and 2 convics do you have any suggestions. I also need a good algie eater that my oscar wont eat i made that mistake already.He got a snack of 3 of them. My oscar is about 3 inchs and the other about 2 inchs.

Thanks,
Kenneth

[SHUEZQ]

You're going to have to put the Oscar by himself. Not only will he eat algae eaters, but any smaller fish you add as well. Additionally, he is going to grow--quickly--and needs the 30 gallons to himself. I'm not sure, but I don't think the convicts are friendly tankmates to the other cichlids either.

The successful tank of African Cichlids we have right now are electric yellow labs (bright yellow with a black stripe in the dorsal fin) and demasonis (tiger striped black and bright blue). They really stand out against the rocks and crushed coral, and the pleco has enough barbels to fend them off. A slice of zuchinni doesn't last the night in this setup. These species don't grow as fast as other ones, so you don't have to worry about overcrowding right away. I would be careful with the numbers, though. Maybe one fish for every 2-3 gallons.

NO ONE CONFUSES ME--I DO IT MYSELF!

[kwaynetwo]

Thanks for your help SHUEZQ. So far they get along ok now I know that the oscar will have to go. but the convicts and the other fish get along ok for now. I just got a couple more for you or anyone else. How do you tell the males from the females and what kind of gravel or sand should i use right now i have blue and red gravel. Except for the algie eater which my oscar eat for lunch.

Thanks,
Kenneth

[SHUEZQ]

Any average size gravel is OK. These fish are diggers, so a medium size that they can collect in their mouths and spit back out is fine. Plain crushed coral is a good option. It is not as expensive as some specialty Cichlid blends, but will buffer the pH high enough for these fish. If you want to stay with regular gravel, I recommend putting some crushed coral in a filter bag and putting it in the filter or aquarium to keep the pH up without adding a lot of chemicals.

Rocks will also raise the pH. We use paradise rock. Stacking rock is also great because these fish need territories to hide in. Leave an open area somewhere because the fish breed in this spot. The bottom row of the rock should be pushed deep in the gravel so that when the fish dig, they do not create a landslide of rocks. Stack them 2-3 wide and then interlap the next layer to leave holes in a pyramid fashion.

Whenever you are introducing new fish, you should remove all the stacked rock and reset it to create new territories. This will cut back on aggression towards the newcomers as everyone sets out for a new home on "new" turf.

It is hard if not near impossible to tell males from females in the juvenile Cichlids. Some like the Auratus or Chipoke will be yellow, but the males will turn blue. With fish like the Yellow Labs and Demasonis, there is no color change, except that the males may be a little more boldly colored.

Some species have an obvious "egg-spot." These are yellow spots on the anal fin. Both the male and female can have them, but they are more prominent in the males. When breeding, the female lays the eggs and them collects them in her mouth. The male does a jiggle and the female is attracted to these egg spots. As she tries to suck them up as eggs, she is actually collecting sperm in her mouth to fertilize the eggs. Fascinating, but I'm glad I'm not a fish.

I you use your online search enging for African Cichlids, you will get plenty of pictures and breed information.

NO ONE CONFUSES ME--I DO IT MYSELF!

[kwaynetwo]

I think I got a convect ready to lay eggs but im not sure if i have a male the other one is darking in color and alittle more agressive. but will the she get prego if the other one is not a male. and I know that you have to have a male to have babys or fry.