zebra cichlid

[newtofish]

My husband just bought a zebra cichlid last night (female) - she is the only fish in a 75 gallon tank. We bought the pellets and flakes that the fish store recommended but she doesn't seem to be eating. Do you just think she is getting used to the new environment??? Or do you suggest something else to fee her?? It was an existing tank in which we had bala sharks in which we moved to another tank because we were told that she had to be alone .. is that also true? Sorry for so many questions - thank you in advance for any help
kelly:FS

[vjvl51]

Hi Kelly

There appears to be 2 cichlids that are commonly called Zebra Cichlids - "Cichlasoma" nigrofasciatum, sometimes also called Convict Cichlid - and Pseudotropheus Zebra, sometimes also called Nyassa Blue Cichlid. I know that this is confusing but many fish are sold using a common name which varies from area to area.

I will quote Baensch's Aquarium Atlas concerning each.

"Cichlasoma" nigrofasciatum -
Social Behaviour - "The fish pair readily, are intolerent and bite. They eat plants. Couples form a patriarch/matriarch family and both care for the young. Not recommended for a community tank."
Maintenance - "Needs a tank with a gravel bottom and hiding places in rocks or inverted pots. Suggest a cover of floating plants."
Food - "Omnivore; live food; freeze dried; flakes; tablets. Supplimental vegetables are important; lettuce, algae, Tetra conditioning foods."
Temp 68 to 73 F - max length 6 inch - minimum aquarium length 23 inches - region of tank middle and bottom - difficulty 3

Pseudotropheus zebra -
Social Behaviour - "The species is territorial, aggressive toward their own and other species, matriarchal and very lively. Male is polygamous and needs several female in the tank. The female often swim in groups."
Maintenance - "The tank should be at least 31 inches long to house one male and several females. Needs pyramids of rocks with nooks for hiding and you should add hardy plants to help define territories."
Food - "Limnivore, omnivore; flakes; all types of live food; algae; lettuce; spinach; even duckweed"
Temp 72 to 82 F - Max length 5.5 inches - minimum aquarium length 31 inches - region of tank middle and bottom - difficulty 1-2

Limnivore is "mud-eaters feed on such vegetable matter as algae and detritus and on the micro-organisms which live in them. The fishes will also take an occasional worm from the bottom as well as other food found there. The fish continually investigate the bottom including plants, rocks and roots, in a day-long search for food. In an aquarium them may have to be fed a special diet if sufficient food is not available naturally. Food tablets are their best substitute. The species generally have a small stomach and a long intestine and prefer to eat their foods leisurely. This is an advantage for the tablet."


I hope this gives you some ideas. The Pseudotropheus zebra (per the picture) has a blue background with dark stripes while the "Cichlasoma" nigrofasciatum has a grey/tan background with dark stripes. Your tank is big enough for either species. I would agree with your fish store, these fish do not appear to like other kinds of fish sharing thier tank. Following the recommendations above, you should be able to put more of the same species in this tank. They should start eating in a couple of days. Fish, under stress, quite often quit eating or eat very little.

Vickie