Cichlid Tank

[emmasam]

Hi Sorry if I sound silly but I am new to fish.
We have Cichlids which I believe are African, they start as yellow females and change to blue males.
In the tank we have white pebbles and a few white rocks. (it looks boring)
Can someone please tell me what sorts of things can go in the tank. I have tried plants but they just eat them
Emmasam

[sharkybubba]

In the tank we have white pebbles and a few white rocks. (it looks boring)
Can someone please tell me what sorts of things can go in the tank. I have tried plants but they just eat them
Emmasam[/b]

hi emmasam,

if you like you can put in some big rocks and some driftwood and make a few little caves and hidey holes- most fish like that as its something exciting for them to swim into :biggrin: , other than thats theres your usual tank ornaments you can get from the aquarium and plastic plants (they wont eat them!). a few people on this forum have cichlid setups so have a browse through the showcase link and have a look what people have put into their tanks! let us know how you go and post pics!!!!

[emmasam]

hi emmasam,

if you like you can put in some big rocks and some driftwood and make a few little caves and hidey holes- most fish like that as its something exciting for them to swim into :biggrin: , other than thats theres your usual tank ornaments you can get from the aquarium and plastic plants (they wont eat them!). a few people on this forum have cichlid setups so have a browse through the showcase link and have a look what people have put into their tanks! let us know how you go and post pics!!!![/b]

[emmasam]

Thank you I will have a look and get some ideas and post pictures and see how I go.

[wombat1100]

Hey there emmasam,
if you want to keep plants , try a hardy plant like Java Fern or Anubis , I have both Java fern and Anubis in my cichlid tank and they don't eat it much, especially the Anubis, other wise like sharky said try rocks and driftwood, but be aware the driftwood will make you Ph drop.
Dazz

[matt_Frontosa]

Hi there,
If you are keeping african cichlids I would suggest using alot of white rocks in the tank with a mrable chip, coral sand or midnight black gravel as these substrate help buffer the water and you may also use some Pvc pipes which are great to use as caves in your tank and you would find your cichlids love to hide in them also or you can use Pots which can be turned on its side or upside down with a hole so they can hide in and retreat also if you have a lot of oxygen in the tank that is also good.

[stafo53]

Hey if you have cichlids, get some nice big rocks. I find with mine, they tend to sleep on these at night. Its really funny when u catch them by suprise

[vagga]

emmasam,


We have Cichlids which I believe are African, they start as yellow females and change to blue males.[/b]
i beleive that you have Pseudotropheus Saulosi. i breed these and they benefit, like most other mbuna with plenty of limestone rocks for them to hide in.

enjoy keeping them as they are one of my favourite

Nathan

[vagga]

o yeh and by the way, they love to chew up the plants in the tank. i use some fake plants, and they look really good in contrast with the limestone rocks and sand.

i have with filter sand, cost something like $15 for a 20Kg bag. you can get it from your LFS, or try CIM, who sometimes sell bulk to public, so go in with a few mates on the forum and get some bags between you for a little cheaper.