It is always a challenge to
introduce newly purchased fish into an established aquarium. In the case of
cichlids, the odds that the new fish will be bullied and harassed is very much
higher as cichlids are not community fishes. However, we all acknowledge
that at times it is impossible to avoid putting new fish into the established
aquarium. Sometimes, the
newly introduce fish can quickly established control and harass the existing
fishes.
However, there are some tips
that one can follow to minimise the possibility of losing any fish during the
process when we introduce any new fish.
Essentially, we need to
know fish have a short memory, fights for territory, food and mate. Therefore,
the tips will revolve around such factors to limit the fighting.
1.
Re-orientate.
Try introducing them during feeding time or during a water change. This
needs to be accompanied by a slight re-arrangement of existing
rocks/decoration. However, be warned that this will cause the existing
occupants to re-contest the territory and sometimes can result in loss of
not only the new fish.
2.
Blinded them.
Remember to turn off the lights to calm the new fish.
3.
Avoid similar
fish. Avoid introducing fishes with the same colour, shape and size. From my
experience, existing occupants seemed to ignore newly introduced fishes
if they are much smaller, maybe because they form no threat to them.
4.
Power balance.
Introducing bigger fish to a tank of smaller incumbents is also risky as
the new fish could quickly establish control. The challenge is to be able
to maintain some kind of balance between 2-3 large fishes in the tank to
maintain "harmony".
5.
Hungry fish is an
angry fish.
Make sure that there is adequate food for each fish. Often observe
aggressiveness in the fish after they first tasted their feed. The
dominant fish will chase any competitors that come within the feeding
zone. Therefore also establish a few different feeding zones instead
of always feeding at the same spot.
5
Important Tips
-
Do
water changes and slight aquascape re-arrangement
-
Switch-off
tank lights
-
Avoid
similar colour, shape and size of new fish
-
Maintain
balance, not too big new comer
-
Ensure
adequate feed after introducing new fish.
1.
Curing of Pop Eyes.
Pop Eyes
are caused by sudden change in water quality. A 50-75% water change will
normally resolve the problem.
2.
Managing old filter
hoses.
Soften old filter hoses with warm water to fix to
attachments. They can also bended easily after softening them with warm water.
3.
Reduce noise from canister
filters. To reduce noisy canister filters, periodic
replacement of the rubber pads are necessary.
4.
Over feeding.
To prevent
over-feeding, do not feed more than enough food that the fish can consume within
3 minutes.
