my dead ciclids

[Ashlee]

My boyfriend boght me a 10 gallon tank starter kit and four ciclids and one suckerfish, he set it up when we got home, we waited until the tempurture was at 27digree c then put our ciclids in. We also did'nt wash the rocks for the bottom of the tank. We used water conditiner to clean the tap water.

They seemed fine when we first put them in they were swimming around checking eachother, then the next day in the afternoon all four of them died, but my suckerfish is fine and still swimming, because it's a new tank I've been feeding my suckerfish cuccumbers and lettuce till we get some new fish. I also do not know the ph of the water in my apartment building.

If anybody can give me some feedback on why my ciclds died, and give me more of an understanding on how I can takecare of my ciclids next time that would be great.

[Jacko]

What type of cichlids were they?
Your tank probably wasn't cycled (unless you used other bacteria from another tank) and adding too many fish at once in an uncycled tank leads to high amount of toxics quickly, probably what killed your cichlids.

Also, is your suckermouth a common plecostomus? They tend to get rather large and I'd recomend rehoming it, cycling the tank and while the tank is cycling, do some research as to what fish would fit better in your tank. There are alot of other algae eaters suitable to a 10 gallon (Bristlenose pleco, otocinclus, amano shrimp etc.)

]This is a great article to read. ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.)
I'd also suggest you go though the other articles, they are great sources of information.thumbs2:

[Gemini]

Welcome to the AC!
Your cichlids I imagine died because your tank wasn't cycled. On the left hand side in the menu there is a free aquarium e book. Have a read through that as it explains the whole nitrogen cycle well.
Do you know what type of cichlids they are? Or suckerfish? Or do you have pics?
Also did you happen to buy any test kits while you got your tank? PH? Nitrates? Ammonia? Nitrite?
The questions are to help us figure out what happened so we can help you avoid it in future.

[Ashlee]

we are going to read for a bit

Thanks for the quick reply thumbs2:

should we keep the sucker fish in the tank?

[Lady Hobbs]

Also read the red stickies in the cycling thread. I would not recommend any of the fish you have for a 10 gallon. Many cichlids get 4-5 inches and common pleco's get a foot long.

Little tank=Little fish

Cichlids are aggressive fish. They will not get along in a 10 gallon at all.

[Gemini]

Research is your friend when setting up an aquarium.
Read a lot through here in the Beginners section.
Honestly - I'm guessing your "suckerfish" is probably a pleco. In which case yes it needs to go back.
As Lady Hobbs said - small tank = small fish.

[Ashlee]

Also read the red stickies in the cycling thread. I would not recommend any of the fish you have for a 10 gallon. Many cichlids get 4-5 inches and common pleco's get a foot long.

Little tank=Little fish

Cichlids are aggressive fish. They will not get along in a 10 gallon at all.


Ha ha i just was reading your cycling thread 2 mins ago

yeah we kinda jump the gun with the fish and the all but we knew we'd have to get a bigger tank

Thanks for the reply!

:22:

[Ashlee]

Research is your friend when setting up an aquarium.
Read a lot through here in the Beginners section.
Honestly - I'm guessing your "suckerfish" is probably a pleco. In which case yes it needs to go back.
As Lady Hobbs said - small tank = small fish.

Ok so we should bring back the sucker? and cycle the tank? and read.

[Gemini]

Ok so we should bring back the sucker? and cycle the tank? and read.
Honestly - yes. It will make it much easier for you and your fish.
Buy some plain old ammonia and cycle it without fish and then we could help you stock it with happy fish that you will love.

[Ashlee]

Ok

Thanks all we'll post back if we have quick ? or somthing

[Gemini]

Ok so we should bring back the sucker? and cycle the tank? and read.
Honestly - yes. It will make it much easier for you and your fish.
And while your fishless cycling we can helpo you plan a 10G tank that will start your love of fish and will be the first tank of many!
*Disclaimer - I am a mTS enabler
MTS - multiple tank syndrome...

[toddnbecka]

If you can get some used filter media from an established tank that will speed up the process considerably.

[Ashlee]

When I boght the tank I did'nt reserch any of this info up, my mistake. I will be buying an 20 gallon tank, do you think that size tank would be ok for the type of fish I want? I also did'nt buy a test kit for the ph levels and ammonia ect.

I am going to keep the suckerfish in another 10 gallon tank while I cycle my new fish tank. My suckerfish seems to be doing ok for now but I deffintly want to keep him around, Ive already grown attached to my suckerfish Jake.

I am planning on buying a bigger tank for my Jake. But while there are no fish what is the best thing to feed him. I read somewere they eat vegtables like lettuce and cuccumber ect. Also am going to buy some pellets for my suckerfish.

[*Sarah*]

The pleco that you've become so attached to is going to suffer from high ammonia content while your tank cycles. If you care about him as much as you say you do, the best thing for him is to go into an already cycled tank.

[mommy1]

we would have to know exactly what kind of sucker fish you have in order to tell you what size tank he would be happy in. some get quite large, some stay small. its important to know how big it is gonna get when it is full grown. he needs enough room to move around and turn around. my guess is even though he might be ok in a 10 gallon tank for now he wont be for long. can you show us pictures. or tell us what type it is.

[btate617]

Also figure out what kind of cichlid you want, many will not do well in smaller tanks. Even the 20gal you plan on getting will be too small for most. Cichlids are aggressive and in tight spaces they will kill off the others if there is not enough room for them.

Brian

[KingFisher]

It would be best to research the type of fish you want to keep and then buy the appropriate size tank for that species, then make sure the tank is fully cycled before adding the fish. If your sucker fish is a common plecostomus, it will eventually need a large tank over 100 gallons. If this is your first tank, it is better to start with hearty species suitable for your tank size. When you are researching fish, remember that minimum tank size does not mean ideal tank size, as all fish do better with more space.

[Ashlee]

No I don't know what kind of ciclids they were, I got them from walmart. I will take some pic's some time today and post them for you guys. I also got my suckerfish there, they do not seem to tell you anything about the fish you buy, the man at walmart did'nt tell me how big the suckerfish gets. He told me also that the ciclids should only get as big as my tank would let them.


I also would like somemore info on how I can takecare of my suckerfish and what's best to feed him, like vegtables and how much I should put in the tank. Just until I buy him a bigger tank Iwould really like to keep my suckerfish Jake. Thanx for all the info, greatly appreciated.

[Ashlee]

The pleco that you've become so attached to is going to suffer from high ammonia content while your tank cycles. If you care about him as much as you say you do, the best thing for him is to go into an already cycled tank.


I am taking my suckerfish out of this tank put him in another one whila the new tank cycles.

[*Sarah*]

No I don't know what kind of ciclids they were, I got them from walmart. I will take some pic's some time today and post them for you guys. I also got my suckerfish there, they do not seem to tell you anything about the fish you buy, the man at walmart did'nt tell me how big the suckerfish gets. He told me also that the ciclids should only get as big as my tank would let them.


I also would like somemore info on how I can takecare of my suckerfish and what's best to feed him, like vegtables and how much I should put in the tank. Just until I buy him a bigger tank Iwould really like to keep my suckerfish Jake. Thanx for all the info, greatly appreciated.
ugh this is what I hate about Walmart. The people working in the various departments don't have a clue about anything.
Cichlids in general are very territorial and will fight and kill eachother if they are in cramped quarters. They also need lots of caves/rocks to claim and hide in.
Your plec will enjoy Algae Wafers, and prob even eat flake or sinking pellets.

[Ashlee]

Also if anybody can give me an idea on what kind of fish I should buy for my 10 gallon tank and how many fish I should buy, that would be great. Thanx

[Sharon]

Maybe a school of Neon Tetras, after it's cycled....:ssmile:

[btate617]

You should stay away from cichlids for the 10gal tank. Honestly any cichlids you put in there is going to cause you nothing but headaches. Whats going to happen is one fish is going to kill off the others in a 10gal tank, if you decide to put cichlids in the 10gal, hopefully the one you like the most is the last one standing.

Brian

[Gemini]

Plecos like algae wafers, but they also enjoy zucchini, cucumber, spinach, romaine lettuce, seaweed etc.
As for 10G suggestions - do you have gravel or sand in the bottom? Do you have access to anything other than a Walmart to buy fish from?
What colours do you like?

[*Sarah*]

Also if anybody can give me an idea on what kind of fish I should buy for my 10 gallon tank and how many fish I should buy, that would be great. Thanx

Hmm...you could do3 otocinclus catfish and 5 zebra danios, or 5 neon tetras, or 5 Endlers Livebearers, 5 Guppies...basically anything that stays about 1" or less when full grown. It's better to have 5 or 6 of the same kind of fish as opposed to 5 or 6 different kinds that way they can school. Most fish are happier and healthier when kept in a school.
I suggest the Oto cats since they're like plecos, only stay about 1" and are good clean uppers.

[Ashlee]

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[Ashlee]

Can anybody tell me what kind of suckerfish this is? Can someone also tell me what the temperture of the tank should be for my suckerfish? My tank right now is at 80 degrees I don't know how good that temperture is for him.

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[Ryuu]

I would lower the tank to 78 degrees, as for the breed of him, im not sure soryr

[gm72]

Looks like a common pleco to me. If so, return him. You'll need a very large tank sooner than you think.

[bushwhacker]

definatly common pleco, he'll outgrow your tank in a few months

[Demjor19]

Agreed...it's a common pleco. I have seen them 18+ inches in the hobby.

[Northernguy]

I had one that grew to 23" once.
It was a long time ago in a place far far away but it did get large!
Oh ya it was in 180!thumbs2:

[Lady Hobbs]

Do not let your boyfriend pick out your fish anymore? LOL

[bushwhacker]

Do not let your boyfriend pick out your fish anymore? LOL

as long as hes payin for em lol

[Wiggs]

Better yet, have your boyfriend make an account here and learn alongside you :)