I was given a 35 gal hex set-up with appx 35 African cichlids is this OK?

Question

I was told to get rid of some but how many (adult max size will be 4-5 inches) 4 are 4in, 20 are 2-2.5 inc the rest smaller with 4small fry. I've had this for a week and have done 2 15 gal water changes and the ph and amonia levels are ok. Can I leave it like this?

Answer 1

A 35 gal hex is not big enough for african cichlids, I'm afraid, with few exceptions.
You didn't specify which cichlids you have - some tanganyikan cichlids are (like Brevis, Leleupi, Caudopunctatus, Ocelatus) very small, and would be fine in such a tank, but not 35 of them. More like 4 or 6 (2 or 3 pairs).

Kribensis would also be okay in that tank, but only one pair or trio.

If you're refering to Malawi cichlids (peacocks, Mbuna, etc) or anything else, they are just tooo big for that tank, and there are way way too many of them. A 35 gallon hex cannot support as many fish as a 35 gallon rectangular tank could, because the swimming area is greatly reduce (think, width of the tank), and the tank is so much taller than there is much less oxygen exchange, and much less gravel/ground area.

If you must keep the 35 gallon hex, you'll have to rethink your fish, and start with getting rid of ALL of your cichlids. If you want African cichlids, try Tanganyikans or Kribensis.

If you want to stick with your current cichlids, you'll have to get a larger tank. In a 50 gallon tank (rectangle) you could have 5 or 6 cichlids. In a 100 gallon, 12 to 15. If you want to keep all 35, you'll need more like 250-300 gallons.

Answer 2

If you figure an inch per gallon for 5 inch long fish, your max would be 7 fish. Cichlids might need more room than a gallon per inch, based on their temperament, but as I've never kept any cichlids, I wouldn't know. I suggest you do some research on them.

You could keep more while they're small, but be sure to give them more room than a gallon per inch (I'd give them each an extra inch) so they have room to grow, and be sure to cull your stock as they get bigger too.

So even if all the fish were an inch, I would say it's not wise to keep them all. You'd be able to, at most, keep 17 inch-long ones (since you do need to allow room to grow), and again, keeping in mind that you will have to get rid of at least 10 more over time.

Most fish stores will take unwanted fish, so long as they are healthy.

EDIT: After reading the replies, your first responder seems to have a good amount of knowledge about Cichlids. I would recommend following her advice.

Hex tanks really are too tall for most fish.
Most fish need horizontal space to swim in, and all that vertical space is really a waste.

Answer 3

It would help if we knew what types of cichlids are in there. Many cichlid hobbyists actually over-crowd their cichlid tank purposely so as to spread agression, but 30 agressive cichlids in a 35 gallon hex will definately not work. As the fish get older, and breeding comences, you will see many fish floating at the top of your water, since these fish get particularaly agressive during breeding, so I would recomend taking lots back.

Answer 4

I agree with everything that Zoe said, except for the recommended stocking levels if you opt for a larger tank.

With assumption you have lake malawi mbuna or peacocks and are opting to get a larger tank, 10-12 in a 55gal would be adequate and a 125gal would be sufficient to accommodate them all.

Answer 5

Bump it up to 4 15g a week, until I get my popcorn and beer. I wanna see this.J/K, your gonna have major problems in the NEAR future. Try to trade most of them in kiddo, and keep 4-5 of the same type(if you have that many of 1 type). Look at cichlid-forum.com, under profiles/malawi/mbuna, try to see what you got and get back to us. Otherwise sell some tickets. J/K again

Answer 6

No, that's way too many fish for that tank, to keep them, you'd need a 120 or so. I would get rid of all but 8-10 of them, if you want a properly stocked tank. The "rule" is 1 inch of fish per gallon of water, so 10 4 inch fish would be 40 gallons, but you could get away with it in a cichlid tank, so long as you over filter. I personally don't abide by that rule, I think tank size and shape, and fish shape really should dictate how many fish you keep. I prefer to understock and over filter my tanks, and I have only had one fish die, ever, and it was due to injury. I think you'd be pretty safe to keep 8-10 of them in what you have, or you could keep them all and buy a bigger tank!!

Answer 7

in case you paintings an inch according to gallon for 5 inch long fish, your max could be 7 fish. Cichlids ought to need extra area than a gallon according to inch, according to their temperament, yet as i've got under no circumstances stored any cichlids, i does no longer comprehend. I advise you do a splash study on them. you need to maintain greater together as they are small, yet ensure to furnish them extra area than a gallon according to inch (i could supply them each an further inch) so as that they have got room to develop, and ensure to cull your inventory as they get larger too. So whether all of the fish have been an inch, i could say it is not clever to maintain all of them. you would be waiting to, at maximum, shop 17 inch-long ones (because of the fact which you do ought to allow room to develop), and returned, keeping in techniques which you will ought to get rid of a minimum of 10 greater over the years. maximum fish shops will take undesirable fish, as long as they are healthful. EDIT: After interpreting the replies, your first responder looks to have a stable volume of information approximately Cichlids. i could advise following her suggestion. Hex tanks truly are too tall for many fish. maximum fish want horizontal area to swim in, and all that vertical area is easily a waste.

Answer 8

cichlids are very aggressive, territorial and get very large. i suggest maybe 5 in a 35 hex tank.

Answer 9

Zoe is one of our fish queen gurus on here. I would listen to her.

Answer 10

NO it is not ok. You are A Moe Ron.