New to cichlids

[jwh0818]

I'm new to cichlids and I need some help. I have 1 small Oscar, 1 small jack, and 1 small red texas. They seem to be hiding a lot, is this normal and will they start coming out? What's an ideal temp for them to thrive?

Sent from my HTC_Amaze_4G

[jwh0818]

Anyone?

Sent from my HTC_Amaze_4G

[jwh0818]

::crickets::

Sent from my HTC_Amaze_4G

[DaiMasters]

I keep my Oscar tank at 80-82 Degrees and my Oscars are thriving.

[SunnyHouTX]

I keep my tanks around 82

[HERM]

How big is your tank ? How long have they been together ? Are they eating ?

[DaiMasters]

Also Oscars, and I'm sure other fish can take time to get used to you. Some only take a week or so, others can take a few months. Each fish is different.

How new are the fish? They may just be getting used to their new home and to you.

[jwh0818]

The fish are new, the tank is a 110g yes there will be an upgrade soon. Yes they are eating. I took the red Texas back because he was super mean. The Oscar ate a Rosie and seems like he ate one too big. Is it normal for them to take awhile eating other fish, like leaving their tail out of their mouth

Sent from my HTC_Amaze_4G

[DaiMasters]

Yeah it happens sometimes. Do you quarantine your rosies before you feed them?

[dblondfemme]

Lol I am thinking Your title should say "New to cichlids who get big and who are mean" lol

[jwh0818]

No, I didn't know I was suppose to, the petsmart guy was like, just throw em in the tank or sump, needless to say I was a dumba** and listened. How often do I feed them rosies and how often do I feed them period

Sent from my HTC_Amaze_4G

[CRUSHER]

give them time, feeding time they will come out and once they are used to you and each other they will start to come out more often. they will start to chase each other around and stuff eventually. the oscar will get bigger before the other fish will but since they are growing together you should not have any fighting.
I feed mine twice a day... and some times give them some freeze dried krill for a treat.
Quarintine the feeders fish for at least a week or two... they may have diseases... and may be under fed, feed them a high quality flake food, it will benefit the ones that will eat them.

[jwh0818]

Can I have 2 Oscars and 3 jacks and upgrade my tank soon, and how fast do they grow

Sent from my HTC_Amaze_4G

[DaiMasters]

I'd feed a Stable of either Omega One Cichlid Pellets, NLS Cichlid Pellets, or Hikari Cihlid Pellets.

If you want to feed live food, Feed Crickets every so often. Rosies like once a month or so, after quarantining them, If you had an extra tank I'd say breed Convicts and Feed the babies to the oscars instead of Rosies. That's what I want to do. If you want to give them an extra awesome special treat, get some mealworms and let them sit for a week and turn into mealworm Beetles. your oscar will adore you for it.

And be prepared oscars like to go on "pellet" Strikes. Mine are on one now, going on a week and a Half. What I do is just not offer them anything but pellets until they eat again. Fish can go like 3 weeks without eating, so it's more of a battle of the wills between you and the fish lol.

[jwh0818]

This is my tank right now, it only has a jack and an Oscar

Sent from my HTC_Amaze_4G