The Cichlid Room Companion Ask Pam

Hi Howieb4, I am not a filtration expert by any means, but I think it is best to run your new filter say a month or so, to insure that it is seeded properly. I don't have any of these larger canister filters running so I can't give you any personal experience, but I have heard good things about them...

Dipanjan, Sorry, they are really too small to be able to sex. But the good news is... They grow pretty fast, and if you watch them everyday, sometimes you can tell who the males are. Once a male starts to show their color, remove them to another tank. Then the next male will come forward, and you ca...

Hi Tropical Tropheus, I don't really dwell on the ratio, especially if you have a group of 20+ fish and you have them in a big enough tank. My goal is to get a cohesive group and I like the Tropheus to figure out who is in and who is out. I don't like to remove any members of the group unless they a...

I agree, I love all cichlids! I am just stuck in a rift right now.

Yes I do Like Tanganyikan Fish myself.

I like Tanganyika fish, this is a test.

Luis,

Hard to say, but likely it is two females.

Cichlid Power!
Pam

Hi hiplecoman, Chaetobranchus flavescens sounds like a fun one to work with. They do get fairly large, 7+ inches or so, and as you have probably noticed they have a large mouth. The good news is they are a filter feeder and by providing plankton type foods it will increase your success with this spe...

Hi Paul, It don't think that the Xeno's; flavipinnis & spilopterus, pair up for life in the wild. When they are spawning there are many pairs spawning in the same area, and they are not sure if they spawn seasonaly; or year round, because, in these off times, they can school up in large groups a...

Hi Haibane, Unfortunately I do not know my algae eaters. But I do know if I cut the back light, and feed lighter, that less algae will appear. And cleaning your glass should be part of your regular maintenance chores, only take a little extra to wipe your glass down, when you do your water change, s...

Hi Zachary, Right here on Cichlid Room Companion you can look up a species, and there is a tab for location, and click on that and then there is a tab for species found at this location. But, keep in mind, just because these fish are found all at one site, does not mean they would be compatible. The...

Hi Adrian,

It so hard to diagnose fish, it certainly appears to be bloated up, but if it has had this condition for awhile and it is still alive, it hard to say.

I wish I could be more specific, but it is just really difficult to say.

Cichlid Power!
Pam

Hi Haibane, I am not very good with plants at all. I looked around a little and I found this article link below, for a biotope of Rio Tapajos. https://www.reef2rainforest.com/page/2/?s=biotope Right now biotope tanks are very popular and there are several world wide contests. check out the links bel...

Hi Randy,

Sorry I don't see a picture, please try to upload again.

Thanks,
Cichlid Power!
Pam

Hi Ad Johnson, I do think larger tanks are easier to maintain, smaller tanks can be more tedious, but it is the life of a fishkeeper. With a tank that size you do have a lot of options, and the issue with all male tanks is getting the fish to color up. You could have multiple males of the same speci...