Subj : Re: Cichlids To : All From : Anthony P Date : Sun Dec 08 2002 11:56 am Depending on how aggressive and territorial the fish are I find that removing all decorations from the tank and rearranging doesn't always work. I find that if I remove all decorations and rocks and add the new fish first, let them settle in for a couple of hours (no tank decorations yet) maybe as much as 12 hours (this depends on how many other tanks you have to house the original fish) so they can recover from being transported and get use to their new home, the last thing they need after being moved is being pushed around and stressed by the king pin. I had a jaguar cichlid that was a horror and any new tank mate added needed at least this amount of time to be confident enough to stand up to him before the introduction. Then add the original fish, observe them for a little while and make sure they are getting along, if they aren't try keeping the lights off for a while, they can get use to each other in a less confrontational environment. I find if cichlids can't see each others bright colours and aggressive body language then fights can be avoided. If the tank is not a display tank, you can also add refuges such as black floating pipes (or something similar) for fish to hide in to get away from the bully. You will soon see if they are happy being flatmates, and with the decorations out it is easier to remove one or both before any real harm is done, turn the lights on and throw in the decorations. You'll find that they will soon be claimed as you place them in the tank and all fish will have an equal opportunity to bid for the prized landmarks. You may not need to remove all the fish when adding new ones, just the bullies, you'll know who they are. There are a few other things to consider, placement of rocks is important when dealing with rock dwelling cichlids and you must be sure to provide enough homes for all or there will definitely be casualties as the royal rumble begins for the few homes available. Like I originally said this all depends on exactly which fish you are thinking of keeping. If it seems like a lot of trouble then growing them all up together is definitley easier, but not always an option. I have kept many aggressive cichlids and this works very well for me, I rarely have any casualties when adding adult fish to an established community. I'd be interested to know which type of fish you are considering. Once they look settled "Rev Jim" wrote in message news:aonlkd$q5l$1@ins22.netins.net... > > Moffatt family ... > > When buying Cichlids (african lake or Central american) > > should i buy them all together so they can establish territory without any > > new fish being torn to shreds or add a few at a time? > > You can add new fish anytime as long as you move the landmarks in the tank > so the territories have to be reestablished. > > > --- þ RIMEGate(tm)/RGXPost V1.14 at BBSWORLD * Info@bbsworld.com --- * RIMEGate(tm)V10.2áÿ* RelayNet(tm) NNTP Gateway * MoonDog BBS * RgateImp.MoonDog.BBS at 12/8/02 11:56:10 AM * Origin: MoonDog BBS, Brooklyn,NY, 718 692-2498, 1:278/230 (1:278/230) .