Very Confused - Cichlids vs. Brackish Water

J

jjhgoodguy

John H.
Nov 23, 2007
16
0
0
Long Island, New York
:confused:
I've asked a couple of questions regarding the ID'ing of 3 fish and also regarding what would be compatible "alge eating" bottom feeders for several species of Lake Malawi fish. (Pseudotropheus "Acei" & "Keni" I think, and Melanochromis Johnanni and Labidochromis Caeruleus).

I've received several answers saying these fish were NOT brackish water fish. Admitidly, the salinity of the water is around 1.0003 to 1.0005. Is this not considered "brackish".

This leads me to ask some more questions.

Will these fish live just as well in pure fresh water (no salt added)?

I've been staying away from Oscars & Dempsys because I heard these are Freshwater cichlids. Do I need to be concerned if I purchase a Dempsey and put it into water that has some salt in it.?

Is there anyone out there that can give me a good lesson on fresh water vs. brackish water as they pertain to the cichlids? Looking forward to some good information.
 
do you add salt to the tank? how long have those fish been living in there? as I said, the only brackish cichlids I know of are green and orange chromides
 
how apt; i picked up my first african cichlids-- starting off easy with yellow labs-- and the fish store guy was like "be sure to add salt"-- i think he wanted me to put three CUPS of salt in to my 55g. i just nodded and took the bag home. they even have them marked down as "brackish water fish".
 
Thanks Nick - and NCHOE123.

Nick - I did read your message on the other thread I wrote which prompted this one. Assuming you and NCHOE123 are correct, when I do future water changes should I use any salt at all? Even like 1 teaspoon per 1 or 2 gallons to ween them off salt altogether or is there a good argument to continue to use some salt to prevent a disease like Ich?

Thanks for your previous comments.
 
The cichlids you have originate from a lake with high mineral content, which is not the same as brackish (which is high salt content). I recommend not replenishing the salt as you conduct your future water changes to reduce and ultimately eliminate the salinity of your tank water.

Adding baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) would have been more appropriate additives in attempts to replicate their native environment (the former increases alkalinity/KH pH while the latter increases general hardness/GH). However even those additives aren't a requirement with these cichlids (while ideal parameters would be nice, stable un-adjusted parameters are better, especially if your source water has a pH of 7.5 or more).
 
True, they don't need salt, but I put a few table spoons in with each water change and all the fish seem fine and healthy. In my opinion, adding baking soda to raise the ph is risky. It is hard to judge how much to put to get the desired ph, and it is a drastic change that can be fatal to your fish. If your tap water is close to 7.5 or so, and the fish seem happy, i wouldn't mess with it.
 
MiramichiMob said:
True, they don't need salt, but I put a few table spoons in with each water change and all the fish seem fine and healthy. In my opinion, adding baking soda to raise the ph is risky. It is hard to judge how much to put to get the desired ph, and it is a drastic change that can be fatal to your fish. If your tap water is close to 7.5 or so, and the fish seem happy, i wouldn't mess with it.
Click to expand...

You are thinking of aquarium salt. This person is talking about ocean salt.
 
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