Adding New Cichlids to an Established Tank (7 Easy Steps)
Adding new cichlids to an established tank can be daunting – especially if you’ve never done it before! Oh, and don’t forget about the fact that African cichlids are feisty which can make the process more difficult.
Introducing new fish to an established tank is a stressful process, both for the fish and the fishkeeper. In this article, we have # easy steps to ensure all your fish are healthy and safe (and to calm your nerves).
1) But First, Quarantine
First and foremost, before you get too excited and add your new cichlids to the tank, they need to be quarantined in their own separate tank! Why? A quarantine tank helps prevent diseases from spreading and lower the fish’s stress levels.
Ultimately, quarantining your new friend fish will help them feel a little more comfortable with their new home. If you’re not sure how to get started, we have a simple guide on how to quarantine fish.
2) Medication Time
Quarantine and medication are inextricably linked. However, if you don’t notice any signs or symptoms of diseases or parasites, you should let the new African cichlids go through the quarantine period before introducing them into the established tank.
If you notice any signs of diseases or parasites, it’s time to medicate! Introducing the “Quarantine Couple” (QC): Seachem ParaGuard and Seachem Metroplex. One treats the new fish externally and the other internally.
Learn more about aquarium medications and the different types of fish diseases.
3) Do a Water Change
Get your water change equipment ready! Now is the perfect time to do a water change right before adding your new African cichlids. Of course, doing a water change will stress your old fish out. So, why do it now?
By performing a water change in your established tank, you distribute stress evenly among all of your fish, which may reduce their aggression.
Water changes can do more than just help with the addition of new fish; we have an article explaining why water changes are necessary as well as when to do them (specifically for African cichlids).
Here’s a video on how to do a water change (watch and follow).
