Help a Newbie Out

Hello,

I am very new to the forum and have really enjoyed learning from all of the fish lovers. I recently picked up some new african cichlids. all went to their new home together. Right now i have 2 cynotalpia's and I've carved out a burrow for them to get under some tank deco. they LOVE it and immediately claimed each side as their own. So true to their breed. I also have 2 Black Calvus - beautiful little guys but I'm still figuring them out. My 4 dolphins seem to be losing their color against the beige sand but are about the happiest and most free swimming. Then I have 4 Frontosa's. My Fronts are always hiding and they eat the least. Today I picked up some Omega One Cichlid Flakes, MYsis and Algea Marine Green Seaweed. It's been less than 2 weeks but I notice they prefer to eat from the bottom and rarely come to the top where the food floats but when the filter pushes it down to them it's a frenzy. None of them seem to care about the sea weed but I got for the cynotalpia's because i thought they are herbivores. Please give me some insight here.

Dam I'm jealous. Living 2 hours away, and about 2 centuries ago. I wish my LFS had such a selection.
You have a mix of herbivores and carnivore from my understanding of your mix. I have a young Capodichromis Verginalis (one of my favourites in my tank) which will never go to the surface to feed, so I hold some flake between my fingers and crush it, then dip my fingers in the water so the food sinks. I do this at both ends of the tank, having sat and watched, he then gets his fair share, as the floating food attracts the "top feeders".

Any other suggestions?

ps now I want some Dolphins

Try feeding them some sinking pellets.

LadyAqua wrote:

Hello,

I am very new to the forum and have really enjoyed learning from all of the fish lovers. I recently picked up some new african cichlids. all went to their new home together. Right now i have 2 cynotalpia's and I've carved out a burrow for them to get under some tank deco. they LOVE it and immediately claimed each side as their own. So true to their breed. I also have 2 Black Calvus - beautiful little guys but I'm still figuring them out. My 4 dolphins seem to be losing their color against the beige sand but are about the happiest and most free swimming. Then I have 4 Frontosa's. My Fronts are always hiding and they eat the least. Today I picked up some Omega One Cichlid Flakes, MYsis and Algea Marine Green Seaweed. It's been less than 2 weeks but I notice they prefer to eat from the bottom and rarely come to the top where the food floats but when the filter pushes it down to them it's a frenzy. None of them seem to care about the sea weed but I got for the cynotalpia's because i thought they are herbivores. Please give me some insight here.

One thing you have to know about Frontosa is where they come from. VERY VERY deep parts of the lake. Once they get use to there habitat they will more then likley come to the top to feed, but until then they are more of a patience eater. Some of the Mbuna and Haps will jump out of the watter to get a flake. LOL

I agree with Mark Try a few sinking pellets until you can get them use to the flake. Although I was feeding them flake so they should be fine.
May just not be comfy yet.

Yeti wrote:

Dam I'm jealous. Living 2 hours away, and about 2 centuries ago. I wish my LFS had such a selection.
You have a mix of herbivores and carnivore from my understanding of your mix. I have a young Capodichromis Verginalis (one of my favourites in my tank) which will never go to the surface to feed, so I hold some flake between my fingers and crush it, then dip my fingers in the water so the food sinks. I do this at both ends of the tank, having sat and watched, he then gets his fair share, as the floating food attracts the "top feeders".

Any other suggestions?

ps now I want some Dolphins

No Local fish store has that selection. Those are all from me.

I have plenty more if you ever want to make the drive from Tyler I will be sure to hook it up. Or I can ship for super cheap over night.

MarkM wrote:

Try feeding them some sinking pellets.

You can always soak you flake in your tank water so it sinks. As well as in some cases if you leave your lights off during the busy hours around your tank they will be able to get use to all the comotion around your tank and feel a little safer with the lights off. If this works just slowly shorten how long the lights are off during the day.

Thanks guys, I almost bought sinking pellets since I notice really it takes all of them quite a while to come to the TOP to feed. Later after this post, I noticed the Frontosa's happily swimming around so you're right. It's funny too because my son has 2 tanks in his room but he sits and watches my lil guys all day!!! FUHN KNEE.