Saltwater cichlids

Brazzen1

Plecostomus
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Aug 18, 2013
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The SG was 1.018 & regarding the Mujeras, I thought that even the ones in Florida are found in saltwater. Thanks for the info guys, I'm not looking to be cruel are anything, I am just thinking that over the long run I could acclimate one to sw and if I find out that it wasn't for me then acclimate it back to fresh (over a long period of course).
 

Aw3s0m3

Piranha
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May 6, 2012
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I'm not bashing but I'm just curious to know why you wanna do sw if you're just gonna put cichlids in it? There's a whole lotta beautiful sw fish to choose from


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Brazzen1

Plecostomus
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Aug 18, 2013
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Oh, I didn't think you were bashing (no worries), I just wanted to explain why I was planning on trying cichlids. My main reason was that if it did work I was going to try to keep a Picasso trigger with it and since I haven't seen too many people keeping Mayans, as opposed to Festae, I was going for them. I figured that since they have been found in all different kinds of water that they would be the best long-term candidate for this. Like I said, I've heard of people using mollies for this, but they would just get eaten, so I figured that a cichlid would be the best thing. I know that there are plenty of beautiful sw fish, as there are in fw, I just didn't want to jump in and have something as small as damsels (I do love them though), nor did I want to get something larger (read more expensive) and it not work out for me. I hope that I'm explaining myself alright.
 

gamerpond1

Gambusia
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Jun 3, 2012
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I don't mean to burst you bubble but the main reason people acclimate fw to sw is and old grow out trick 3 months in salt then back to fresh and the idea of putting cichlids in with any other trigger other than a niger trigger is a death sentence for a cichlid all of the fish in that tank in the video are community saltwater fish triggers grind rocks crustaceans coral anything they want cichlids like to lock lips and nip fins and scales the attitude of a pissed off piccaso trigger wouldn't be something to combine plus did you see the amount of exertion it took for those cichlids to breath gasses transfer different in saltwater if you want to set up a saltwater right set up a reef tank and use cichlid relatives like anemone fish(clown) or damsels if you want cichlids that bad the initial set up is what will cost you but set up right can be a self sustained ecosystem besides feeding and well worth it watching the tank transform from day to night

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rmkblades

Piranha
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Nov 25, 2013
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You would have better luck teaching a cat to fetch like a dog. Maybe you can train a dog to use a litter box. I'm sure both the latter and former are possible...but why do it? If you want an animal that behaves like a cat...get a cat and if you want one that behaves like a dog...get a dog.

Do you see where I am going here? If you like cichlids...set up a freshwater tank. If you like SW fish...Well...duhh...set up a salt water tank.

"You can't have your cake and eat it too"

Not if you truly have the bestinterest of these fish in mind. Hope you decide (wisely) on one or the other...but not both...at least not at the same time in the same tank.

Good Luck
 

neutrino

Goliath Tigerfish
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Jan 22, 2013
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Setting aside any debate of why someone might want to, which is really up to you, the fact is there are a few cichlids that can and do live in marine conditions in the wild or, as mentioned, African soda lakes of even higher salinity. The list of species is small, you have to acclimate them carefully, and some species that can live in marine conditions grow more slowly than in freshwater, which for me would tell me it might be better to grow them out first.

In any case I've seen a few people do it successfully, you just need to do your research, either from science sources or guys that have actually done it. I wouldn't rely on the advice or speculations of someone without personal experience in this case, although comments on compatible marine species would be valuable. Here's a study that might help, has data on salt tolerance levels of several species, how to acclimate, etc.

Bottom line imo is if you do your research on which cichlids can truly handle marine conditions, what levels they're comfortable with, and how to properly acclimate them, it's your option, even if it's outside the box for most people.
 

Brazzen1

Plecostomus
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Aug 18, 2013
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Thanks neutrino, I have been looking for this article. BTW the other people that you mentioned, is there any way that I can look into how they did it or see pictures?
 
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