ive had cichlids for almost two years now and none have died but...?

Question

i started a second tank because i want to have some different types of fish (and you cant really mix cichlids with other fish) anyway i just bought some really common little guys, a couple mollys a couple neons and two other little guys, 5 of them have already died, the tank is cycled (with the cichlids water even) so i dint understand ,are regular tropical fish harder to keep then my cichlids?

Answer 1

Both are fairly easy, but mollies like some salt added to their water (neons don't), and neons are fairly sensitive to water quality.

You say you cycled the second tank, but are you saying this because you added water from the cichlid tank? The bacteria you want for cycling are in the substrate and filter media, not in the water. Unless you tested after adding an ammonia source and had the ammonia and nitrite converted to nitrate, I couldn't say with any certainty that your tank did cycle.

If you want to try this again, I'd suggest testing the water for the three products I mentioned above (if you aren't already), or having the pet store test a sample for you. Start with just 1-2 fish and try danios - they're hardy and can be put with just about anything (eventually you should have them in a group of 6 or so). Or look through the list here and find an alternatte species you like - ones rated "A" or "AA" are the easiest to keep.

Answer 2

Funny you say that because recently I went through the exact same thing. I switch a 30g over to a peaceful community tank. I bought some barbs, neons, cardinals, and some rainbows. Within the first two weeks I had lost about 6-7 fish. I didn't need to cycle the tank, since it had convicts in it previously, so I knew it wasn't the cycle. I tested the water anyway, and the nitrate read <10 ppm. I've since tried to add cardinals and rummy nose tetras, but usually the majority of them die.

I think for hobbyists like us, who start out with cichlids, and then switch to tropical freshwater community tanks, the transition is deceiving. We think that because we have a grasp on cichlids that these other little fish will be much easier to care for, but in my opinion, they aren't nearly as hardy. I think that they stress easier, and are much more suceptible to injury and disease.

If you are up for suggestions, I have found that Gold Barbs are hardy little fellers and I have been extremely happy with them. When they are settled in, their dorsal, caudal, and anal fins will take on a red coloration which looks awesome.

Answer 3

Sell the larger cichilds back to the fish store.
I am one of those folks that buy them Good luck

Those Cichlids are SUPER easy to keep, the are very durable types. So I would test the water and clean out the rocks as well.

Mine are larger than a man's hand one is 8, the other is only 3 but huge too and I can only put BIG fish with him or "munch munch" yummy, thanks mom.

Over the last few years, I have actually purchased those large 5 gallon waters to put in fresh water tanks, since the city water has too much chlorine.

Answer 4

No they're not normally, OK i always have trouble keeping Molly's but then I tend to run Amazon type tanks, Neon's while I've the right set up I now find them very difficult to get past the first week before they start curling the tootsies, generally Neon disease, so I stick to Cardinal's.

But beside that you cycled the tank with water from your other tank, while i don't want to teach you too suck eggs one assumes your filter was cycled and you didn't throw too many fish in at once, possibility, you don't mention which Ciclids your keeping, could be any number of things in the water.

AJ

Answer 5

mollies are really better in brackish tanks -- most livebearers (platies, guppies, swordtails) do better with at least a tablespoon of salt per 5 gallons. this keeps bacteria down.

small fish like tetras do better in large groups -- 5 or 6 minimum -- the bigger the better. this is their defense system. the stress and fall into bad health without it. your local water conditions can make a big difference too. water conditions for american cichlids should be about the same as tetras but africans do better in entirely different conditions.

Answer 6

I'm sure you know what your doing, you have done a good job with your other tank, but if your temp, ammonia, nitrites and you added water conditioner the problem might be that the fish you have purchased were all ready sick or have diseases! Mollies are pretty hardy fish and neon are too, they are not harder to keep. Good luck!

Answer 7

Cichlids are wonderful fish for beginners, they live easy and well and survive some amazing things.

Bet the fish you got were sick when you got them, thats a common problem from big box retailers.

Answer 8

The water of the cichlids isn't good for the mollys, etc. because the water might have completely different ph, and nitrate levels from the one your fish need. I recommend you to change the water with what this fish need. check this website, it has compact information to help you know what your fish needs.

Answer 9

Since you mixed different types of fishies in the same tank....maybe they killed each other while you were sleeping.

Years ago, when I had fishies, I mixed different types of fish in the same tank and I remember seeing one of them picking on the other one. So I'm not sure if it's probably happening to yours. Good luck!

Answer 10

Regular fish are easier to take care of, Cichlids take more maintenance.