still picking / cycling

Member Posts : 51 Age : 38

Hello, I am pretty much restarting my cycle because my ammonia was out of control due to me adding to much. Anyways I have been doing much research on cichlids and what I like and i have narrowed it down to 4 types.
I am looking to see how many of each fish would be good for a 55gallon tank and what will mix ok and what may not. Also if another type would work well a replacement fish list would be alot of help.

Acei Cichlid
Cobalt Blue Cichlid
Yellow Lab
Red Zebra Cichlid

Also suggestions for a bottom feeder that will work with these types would be much help. Thank you ahead of time.

55gallon / 8.2 ph / hard water / doing a "fishless cycle" currently ( 1 month in with no nitirites in sight >< )

Subject: Re: still picking / cycling Wed May 27, 2009 8:45 pm

for the cats i would suggest a syndontis cat i have one in my cichlid tank

Member Posts : 51 Age : 38

After reading the "cookie cutter" tips it seems like this would work

3 - red zebra -
3 - cobalt blue cichlid
3 - yellow labs
2 - Synodontis Catfish

or maybe just 2 different types of bottom feeders?

Subject: Re: still picking / cycling Wed May 27, 2009 9:40 pm

I have 2 Synodontis Catfish I'm looking to sell What a Face

Subject: Re: still picking / cycling Thu May 28, 2009 12:31 pm

that would work fine grays!

Subject: Re: still picking / cycling Thu May 28, 2009 1:33 pm

grays wrote:: After reading the "cookie cutter" tips it seems like this would work

3 - red zebra -
3 - cobalt blue cichlid
3 - yellow labs
2 - Synodontis Catfish

or maybe just 2 different types of bottom feeders?

The only thing I would change would be four of each and one syno cat.

Member Posts : 51 Age : 38

k done deal ill post pics when i get them

Member Posts : 51 Age : 38

So i was annoyed and got some fish. I got 3 labs and a Synodontis Catfish the labs are maybe 1 and a half inches and the catfish is maybe 2 and a half inches. Anyways the labs are being dicks to the catfish and nipping at him...

Question how do i stop this?
I added the labs first then the catfish a week later i guess

Subject: Re: still picking / cycling Wed Jun 03, 2009 6:38 pm

More hiding spots and give it some time they will leave him alone as soon as they don't see him as a threat. Keep an eye on parameters and don't let the ammonia or nitrite creep up on ya. Also what type of test are you using and what type of Synodontis did you get?

Member Posts : 51 Age : 38

im using the master api kit and the one i got was from petsmart and was just labeled Synodontis catfish IT LOOKS like this guy http://www.malawicichlidhomepage.com/greek/articlesgreek/pic0014ar.JPG

Subject: Re: still picking / cycling Wed Jun 03, 2009 8:16 pm

umm...those can get a foot or better and grow pretty fast.

Member Posts : 51 Age : 38

ummm it said 6-8 inches and everything i saw online said 6=8 inches.... why would someone tell me to get a foot long fish for a 55 gallon?

Subject: Re: still picking / cycling Wed Jun 03, 2009 11:38 pm

you would be surprised on what people buy from store recomendations but shouldnt actually be buying

Subject: Re: still picking / cycling Thu Jun 04, 2009 12:03 am

grays wrote:: ummm it said 6-8 inches and everything i saw online said 6=8 inches.... why would someone tell me to get a foot long fish for a 55 gallon?

A lot of times fish stores mis-label fish and requirements...The bad thing is Petsmart and a lot of the chain stores don't know much about what they order or keep in their stores...The pic you put up is a Synodontis longirostris which is commonly sold at Petsmart stores...The three most common synodontis sold at Petsmarts are Synodontis longirostris, Synodontis euptera (suitable for a 55g) and Synodontis nigriventris.

Unfortunately the one you posted a pic of is Synodontis longirostris gets up to 22 inches.
http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/species.php?species=synodontis+longirostris&species_id=547

The Turtle Whisperer Posts : 1930

On the plus side, Petsmart has that 14 day return anything policy. You could try and see if they have the other one and swap.

Member Posts : 51 Age : 38

It doesnt really look like the one i first posted. Here is a pick of it. Looks like a much shorter square nose and big fin on the back Free Image Hosting at <a href=

www.ImageShack.us" />

Quickpost this image to Myspace, Digg, Facebook, and others! Sorry about crappy pic he was moving alot

Subject: Re: still picking / cycling Thu Jun 04, 2009 3:58 pm

That is a Synodontis longirostris for sure...

Member Posts : 51 Age : 38

blah you guys are right im annoyed lol. What other bottom feeders would be good? the petsmart i go to had this and a bunch of other large catfish... but nothing smallish

Subject: Re: still picking / cycling Thu Jun 04, 2009 6:30 pm

Look and see if they have any Synodontis euptera they only get about 7-8 inches and would work for your 55g. Also, many would not recommend this but I have done it witth success, Pimelodus Pictus catfish would work in your setup.

Member Posts : 51 Age : 38

Yep they have that Synodontis eupterus at petsmart just fyi its labeled as featherfin catfish. doh

Subject: Re: still picking / cycling Sat Jun 06, 2009 6:59 pm

grays wrote:: Yep they have that Synodontis eupterus at petsmart just fyi its labeled as featherfin catfish. doh

Cool, the common name for the Synodontis eupterus is Featherfin Syno. Are you going to switch them out? The featherfins are really cool and scarf anything that hits the ground.

Member Posts : 51 Age : 38

Yea I took the other one back but had stuff to do today away from the house so didnt get the featherfin

Member Posts : 51 Age : 38

Just a funny comment about petsmart. I went back today to get my catfish and just being nice i asked the guy if that catfish and cichlids got along. The guy said "the cichlids will strip it to the bone" my response was "ill take it" i may be a nub but i think he may of been confused with a parana or something.

Subject: Re: still picking / cycling Mon Jun 08, 2009 8:20 pm

Cool, glad we could help you out....not sure what he was thinking of but...who knows , Petsmart employees. Glad you got your catfish and on that will be good size for that tank!

Subject: Re: still picking / cycling Mon Jun 08, 2009 8:58 pm

Glad to see you got your catfish.

» picking fish
» Cycling problem: no nitrite

still picking / cycling

* Aquarium Volume Calculator* Fahrenheit - Centigrade Conversion* Carbonate Hardness Unit Conversion* Liquid measurements

* Aquarium Volume Calculator
* Fahrenheit - Centigrade Conversion
* Carbonate Hardness Unit Conversion
* Liquid measurements