Cichlid aggression and Stocking help

[duanes]

Because both your cichlids are mbuna type it'd be best to get other mbuna, if instead you'd get peacock types, the mbuna will probably tear them to shreds.
Mbuna need the company of the mbuna and are generally considered quite aggressive, especially in small tanks.
A 20 gal is OK as a temporary aquarium for mbuna when they are small, but the tank is much too small for them long term, no matter how many gallons the filter is rated for.
A 75 gal tank would be more appropriate.

 

[james99]

A 20 gal is OK as a temporary aquarium for mbuna when they are small, but the tank is much too small for them long term, no matter how many gallons the filter is rated for.
A 75 gal tank would be more appropriate.

As said above, a 20 long should just be temporary. A single mbuna can easily take over the whole tank and kill everyone else. I would look for atleast a 4ft 55 gallon or a different type of fish to keep.

 

[Dennis Kraemer]

Because both your cichlids are mbuna type it'd be best to get other mbuna, if instead you'd get peacock types, the mbuna will probably tear them to shreds.
Mbuna need the company of the mbuna and are generally considered quite aggressive, especially in small tanks.
A 20 gal is OK as a temporary aquarium for mbuna when they are small, but the tank is much too small for them long term, no matter how many gallons the filter is rated for.
A 75 gal tank would be more appropriate.

Yep I have a 75 that will be used soon

 

[Dennis Kraemer]

Put two cichlids in seemed to calm them all down a lot even though they are babies

 

[Dennis Kraemer]

View attachment 1329141 Put two cichlids in seemed to calm them all down a lot even though they are babies

Because both your cichlids are mbuna type it'd be best to get other mbuna, if instead you'd get peacock types, the mbuna will probably tear them to shreds.
Mbuna need the company of the mbuna and are generally considered quite aggressive, especially in small tanks.
A 20 gal is OK as a temporary aquarium for mbuna when they are small, but the tank is much too small for them long term, no matter how many gallons the filter is rated for.
A 75 gal tank would be more appropriate.

Hi the two fish I got where biting each other’s lips and just holding on while in the bag from petco. Do you know why?

 

[Gourami Swami]

Hi the two fish I got where biting each other’s lips and just holding on while in the bag from petco. Do you know why?

This is the way that cichlids fight, they are aggressive fish. Kept together in a small bag I guess they didn't like the tight quarters.
That picture is a convict cichlid, very mean cichlid, probably won't share a 20 gallon with other cichlids for long without killing them. The tank is too small for any of these fish IMO, especially with that big catfish as well.

 

[Dennis Kraemer]

This is the way that cichlids fight, they are aggressive fish. Kept together in a small bag I guess they didn't like the tight quarters.
That picture is a convict cichlid, very mean cichlid, probably won't share a 20 gallon with other cichlids for long without killing them.

Ok they are moving up to a 75 soon

 

[Gourami Swami]

Ok they are moving up to a 75 soon

that will be better, still might have a tough time getting the convict to live with yellow labs. I would get rid of the convict and get more yellow labs or other african cichlids for the 75

 

[Dennis Kraemer]

that will be better, still might have a tough time getting the convict to live with yellow labs. I would get rid of the convict and get more yellow labs or other african cichlids for the 75

Ok thanks for the help!

 

[Dennis Kraemer]

Ok thanks for the help!

that will be better, still might have a tough time getting the convict to live with yellow labs. I would get rid of the convict and get more yellow labs or other african cichlids for the 75

Also how do you think my catfish would do in a 75g Cichlid tank. He isn’t aggressive at all