Introducing small cichlids with big cichlids, CAN IT BE DONE?

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cichlidsickness

cichlidsickness

Candiru
MFK Member
Nov 25, 2011
371
96
46
Ceres, CA
I have some 1 inch grammodes that I'd like to introduce to my 135 gallon tank without getting eaten, the thing is the cichlids I currently have in there are pretty big. The tank holds the following cichlids:

3 festae - two 4 inchers, one 6 incher
2 mayans - both about 4 inches
3 convicts - all about 1 and half inches to 2 inches

I've heard if you have a sump you could put them in the sump for a couple weeks to get the cichlids adjusted to their smell, this way when you put them in the actual tank, they don't recognize the fish as a new fish. I've never done this, and I don't have a sump. I've thought of using a breeders net to introduce them for a couple weeks then let them out, but I've never done this either. I know the usual tips such as introducing when the lights are off and feeding the bigger cichlids until their stuffed before introducing, but this is still not always successful.

Is there a fool proof way to introduce these smaller cichlids to my 135 gallon?
 
All my experiences with cichlids have lead me to believe that the small fish will be torn apart...

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I've added 2.5" fish with 5" fish with no causalities. I wouldn't add anything under 2" with a 6" fish.

Grow em out some so you don't have to worry so much about losing em.
 
if they are the size of feeders they are toast! I would give it a month. Im in the same boat with my small rt and dovi. They will be food in my 55g
 
If your tank has a lot of hiding spots, some of the little ones may make it. I've had good bad experiences adding smaller guys. Do you feed live fish to your fish atm? If so, the lil guys will be looked as dinner for sure.
 
Thanks for the quick replies. I don't give them feeders because I don't want them to get a parasite, but they have eaten a couple convicts before without me wanting them too lol, this is why I ask about introducing these fish. I guess I'll just wait until they're bigger, its just that they grow sooooo slow in a 10 gallon and I don't have another tank.

Any other ideas, i'd love to hear them.
 
Do a good cleaning and water change, also rearrange the decor, the more the better, the bigger fish will be busy reestablishing their territories and the little ones can find small holes to hide in that way. IMO, but never know with cichlids. Good Luck
 
cichlidsickness said:
Thanks for the quick replies. I don't give them feeders because I don't want them to get a parasite, but they have eaten a couple convicts before without me wanting them too lol, this is why I ask about introducing these fish. I guess I'll just wait until they're bigger, its just that they grow sooooo slow in a 10 gallon and I don't have another tank.

Any other ideas, i'd love to hear them.
Click to expand...

When I have wanted fry to grow fast I did daily water changes and over fed them (NLS Grow is what I used). Pristine water + lots of food = fast growing little ones.
 
I find that smaller cichlids do well with larger ones in my tanks, as long as they are not small enough to be considered food. The larger fish seem to ignore them, I have more problems introducing a larger fish than smaller. The only problem is the smaller fish seem to grow slower when mixed with larger fish and grammodes grow extremly slow so that might be a problem for you.
 
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