Dear Monsterfishkeepers, I seek your advise. My 185liters/50gal currently holds:
1 pair Herotilapia Multispinosa
1 female Salvini
5 Mollies
3 tiny ancistrus
The thing is that the cichlids are all very skittish and mostly hide and the tank feels empty and lifeless most of the time. I added the mollies as dithers but they didn't have much of an effect. I have added more natural decor in hope of more lively activity but it doesn't do the trick. The mollies do add a little bit of life to the tank but only a little bit, plus their coloration kind of blends in with the environment (note, I am not looking for more color, just more activity).
The salvini is the most skittish and hides the most but the rainbows are almost as bad.
The water quality is always good, I measure weekly. Ammonia never been above 0, nitrites never been above 0 and nitrates never been above 10 and usually are 0.
I do weekly waterchanges (about 30% usually).
My water is very soft, 6-6.5 usually in the tank, I know the fish prefer it harder but I am fairly certain that they were bred in the same waterparameters, possibly for generations even.
Bright lights are also not the problem, my lighting is very moderate.
Are there any suggestions on how to bring more life to the tank? I am open for all suggestions, decor, added fish, removing fish, complete change of stock, anything.
Thanks in advance for all suggestions
Here is a pic of the tank now.
