african chichlids

Question
QUESTION: hello i have a 45 Gallon tank with about 4 different african chichlid's and a parrot fish and one other the parrot fish and the other i believe he is a southern chichlid is doing fine. but all the african ones seem to be doing odd. i established the tank with some guppy type fish as the pet store said so it created an ecosystem then took those out 2 weeks later to add these fish listed above. i lost one chichlid within 8 hours the other 2 are hanging out around the top and wont really leave the parrot though is swimming around doing fine along with the green terror just the africans seem to be troubled. the PH is at 7.8 which is said to be ok and the water temp is 76 which is also said to be ok from the pet store. im just not sure what is wrong at this point. i have done tropical fish for a while this is my first exotic fish setup and im concerned with these african fish. is there anything i did wrong or need to check for?

ANSWER: Hi Jon,
Adding too many fish to a tank at once will kill your fish.  Before adding fish, you must make sure that your ammonia level is zero, nitrites zero, and nitrates should be low.  You must add two fish, wait one week, do a 25% water change, and test your water.  If your water chemistry is right, you add two more, wait one week, etc.  
Please keep African Cichlids with African Cichlids.  Parrot fish have no defense, and do not belong with African Cichlids.  (I'm hoping we are not talking about the South American Parrot fish)  He wouldn't stand a chance in an Afican tank.  Most South American Cichlids are less aggressive than the African Cichlids, and do not belong in African tanks.  They also need a much lower PH.  There is nothing we can do will change this.  Green terrors are true to their name, and are very aggressive.  Green Terrors grow to 12-14 inches, and need 50 gallons or more all to themselves.  One green terror to 50 gallons of water, no matter the size you bought him.
Make sure your water chemistry is perfect.  Ammonia, and Nitrites are the number one killer of fish.
I would also like to mention that fish need oxygen.  Make sure that your filter splashes water back into your tank, causing water movement.  Adding air stones will also help.
I hope this helps
Lynda

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QUESTION: i have moved the blue fish that was having sever problems to the tropical tank he seems to be doing better and breathing easier. as for the mixed typed it would be nice if the pet store had a clue of information to give me when asking. i will have to see what i can do about the current situation the i believe the parrot was called a red african parrot? and he is doing great swimming around the green terror is sometimes just sitting at the bottom and other times swimming so i think he is ok. is there a certain way to check the levels of nitrates and the other things you said? and if so is there a way to rectify that? or is it simple to say these fish will die and i will be starting from scratch?

ANSWER: Hi Jon,
You can buy ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and PH test kits at your Pet Store, and sometimes at Walmart.  They may be sold individually or in packets of three.  The PH test comes alone.  They are a "Must Have" when keeping fish.  I know of only one Red Parrot.  He is a man made fish between a Red Devil, and a Severum.  Although a cross breed between these two fish, the red parrot is timid.  This poor fish, is often dyed, has no defense, his mouth is very small, and he often has deformities.  He is NOT a fish to keep with African Cichlids, Green Terrors, or any other aggressive fish.  Sooner or later, he will be attacked.  He should also be in 6.5 - 7.0PH, which is too low for any African Cichlid.   With thousands of fish in lakes, and rivers to choose from, man is never happy with what he already has.  Some pet stores will say anything to sell a fish.  They are there to make a buck, and this is all that matters to them.  It just turns my stomach over.
If you plan on making an African tank, read up on every fish you want to put into your tank.  Some Africans are more aggressive than others.  Ask for the name of the fish, and if they tell you they don't know, they lied.  They order these fish, they know their names, whether common, or scientific.  Never put a fish into your tank, that you don't know where he comes from, or his character.  I have seen African tanks that looked like the valley of death!  You must change your decor every month, and always, when adding new fish.  They must have many many hiding places made out of rocks and overturned pots.  You must have three females to each male, which is sometimes hard to do, since some of these fish are very hard to sex.  Most are mouth brooders, and should be removed from the tank, since they will be hassled by the males.  This leaves you little choice in a 45 gallon tank.  When all the decorations are put in, a 45 gallon tank, easily goes down to 30 gallons.  You will be able to put in 6 fish... 6 fish that do not grow over 3 inches.
 If your PH is too low for them, add crushed coral, or sea shells to bring it up.  Do this slowly.  Add two handfuls of crushed coral, wait one day, check your water, and if it is still too low, keep adding, and checking after one day, to make sure you have the right PH.  Once you have the right PH, it will remain stable. African Cichlids must be in 7.6-8.0
The Green Terror like I mentioned to you before needs at least a 50 gallon tank, and more is better, all to himself.  He gets very aggressive when he reaches 3 inches.  He must be in a 6.5-7.0 PH.  If you plan on keeping him, then he would need a tank of his own.  The Red Parrot, I would return if you are going to keep African Cichlids.  If you change your mind and go with South American Cichlids, then this is a different story.
Beware of fish with names like Green Terrors, Jack Dempseys, Red Devils, etc.  These fish are true to there name, and will not hesitate to kill.  Most need big tanks, and big territories because they get so big.  When fish are kept in tanks too small for them, their growth is stunted, their internal organs have no place to grow, and they die a horrible death.
Do not buy chemicals to lower the PH, or anything they sell to lower ammonia, nitrites, or nitrates.  These never work, and often make things worse.  The only thing you can do is water changes everyday, until your water chemistry is right.  Do a major water change now of 50%, and 20% everyday, until you reach zero ammonia, zero nitrites, and nitrates are low.  Once your water chemistry is right, do 25% water changes every week.  
Try to return the fish you now have, and ask for a credit.  I'm quite sure your water chemistry is off.  They may make it, but the odds are against them.  One thing is sure, you cannot keep the Green Terror with a Red Parrot, and the Green Terror would eventually need a bigger home.
I sincerely hope this helps, and that all goes well.
Lynda
Lynda

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: hello i did all of what you said and the tank is doing great! all my fish made it out ok. and everything is back under control all the fish are doing great except one of my african cichlids has some red around his gills its a darker red and im not  sure what it is but im most certain it was not there when i bought him and iv just noticed it this last 2 days he still eats and seems to swim fine and still chases with the other fish his breathing is a little more then normal compared to the other fish but im just not sure if this is something to be concerned about

Answer
Wait and see if his condition gets worse.  If your water chemistry is good, there usually isn't anything to worry about, and this will go away on it's own.  Adding an air stone would help for oxygen, and always make sure your filter splashes the water back into the tank causing water movement.
Lynda