So it seems I have inherited an aquarium from my children. LOL.
The kids were bugging us for a fish tank so we caved in and bought a 35 gallon bow front tank from the local Petsmart. I have some experience with salt water tanks from college, never did fresh though. I bought a hang on the back filter which is rated for a 50 gallon tank.
Anyhow, the kids decorated it with neon pink/blue/green gravel, a plastic castle and a diver that blows bubbles. Long story short, we got the thing cycled with some mollies, tried a couple gouramis (which promptly died) and then they lost interest. So I have been taking care of the few lone survivor fish for the last few months.
Last week I decided if I was going to take care of the tank, I could at least get fish I liked. So, I did some research on the net and decided on Mbuna African Cichlids. I took out most of the neon gravel and all the plastic decor. I found a super honey hole of a place for rocks, there is a landscaper supply yard right around the corner and I rooted through their trash bin of broken pieces. Got about 18 good rocks for the princely sum of $2.81! What a score. Then I went to the store, bought a few freshwater plants (live ones) and 6 cichlids.
Just got everything situated today. Here is the tank as it sits now:
One without the flash to show the real colors, the fish are blurry though
And one with the flash to show the fish better, the back is mirrored as you can see.
Anyone with Cichlid experience have any suggestions? I am lucky in that we have hard, alkaline water here, the pH in the tank usually sits between 8.2-8.4.
Current stock:
2 Demasoni both about 2 inches long.
1 male Blue Zebra Cichlid 3 inches
1 Yellow Zebra (female?) 2 inches
2 Electric yellow Lab Cichlid 2 inches
5 Tiger barbs
one red molly (last of the mohicans) 1 inch
two ghost knife catfish
I am thinking of sitting as is for a couple weeks and seeing if everyone makes it. If so, I think I can safely add 4-5 more cichlids, the guy at the fish store (not petsmart this time, an actual fish store) suggested slightly crowding cichlids to cut down on aggression.
Any tips? How is my tank setup?