killer African cichlids??

Question

I have 7 cichlids and i tried to add 2 more to my tank. i changed my decorations around and added new ones but sure enough they killed them by morning. how do i add new cichlids with out the killing them

its a 65g tank and im not sure what type of african cichlids they are.

Answer 1

African Cichlids are extremely territorial. Your only real chance at this is to try a Tank Divider and slowly introduce each one of your established Cichlids one at a time . Your other choice is to start up a 2nd tank and do the same thing.

Answer 2

With african cichlids it's best to add newcomers in groups of 4 or more. Adding one or two at a time can spell doom since they will attract the attention of nearly every established african cichlid in the tank.

Adding four or more at a time divides the amount of attention/aggression each fish receives. But even this method won't work all the time (example, you add 3 yellow labs and a red zebra, and your other red zebra's single out the 1 you added and ignore the yellows).

What I typically do in conjuction to adding them in groups is add them in the darkness (after all lights have been off for a while). The main tank won't realize the new fish have been added to the tank until morning. Most of the time their presence is barely noticed and I never have to worry about rearranging the tank.

Answer: Add in groups of 4 or more and whenever possible add them SUBTLY in the dark and not SUDDENLY in 'broad daylight'.

In a 65gal you could potentially double your current population depending on the species you have.

Answer 3

Depending on which africans you already have, and what your trying to add... Some africans are just really aggressive. I have one at the store that will actually chase your finger against the glass and if you stick your hand in the tank to clean it, he will bite you. Sometimes they just wont get along. Usually if your tank is large enough, and your moving rocks and hiding areas around for new territory, then they might allow a new comer. Im thinking you either need a larger tank, or maybe you could trade in the real aggressive one for a less aggressive one, or smaller one. I spent more time chasing my africans away from each other then I did enjoying the tank..lol. Good luck..

Answer 4

how big is your tank? i wouldn't try to keep nine cichlids in anything less than a 55 gallon. cichlids are extremely territorial.. i have a few who chase my finger along the glass and bite me when my hand is in the tank.. bigger ones will be especially mean to smaller ones. in my experience, solid colored cichlids seem to be the most aggressive, but i'm sure thats more of a generalization than fact. cichlids are so tight and it's tempting to pack your tank with them, but best thing to do is just keep a small population, even with a large tank

Answer 5

I'm certainly not an expert yet, but I do know a lot about fish. Your problem may be that your tank is crowded w/ more fish, or maybe your are putting a less agressive species w/ very agressive species. What size is your tank and what species of cichlids do you have in there, also are they full grown? With more info, I would be able to help more.
Hope This Helps!!!!!!!!

Answer 6

What size tank is it? For 9 africans you need about 55 gallons. Maybe the tank is too small for 2 more?

Answer 7

www.cichlid-forum.com, look under profiles,look under malawi/mbuna, and find what you have. Then we can see what will survive. African cichlids rule, you just need to research first. Your 65 prolly needs more than you have now (species pending?????).

Answer 8

you have enough fish in the tank now. Do Not over crowd.