[bluenapG]

I am very new to keeping Cichlids.

I just got a 3.5" female Black Belt and a 3" male Red Devil and I think I made a huge mistake. I thought the smaller Red Devil - which is supposed to be highly aggressive would be able to hold it's own with a slightly larger Black Belt that is supposed to be Aggressive. But, the Black Belt is on the hunt and is constantly attacking the Red Devil, which is very passive. I think the Black Belt may have killed my 4" one-eyed African Cichlid, and don't want her to kill the Red Devil. Should I take one of them back to the LFS? For now, I'm putting the Black Belt in the quarantine tank.

Any advice is helpful.

 

[CMN]

Vieja are usually only extremely aggressive to other Vieja and can usually tolerate other tankmates. However each fish is different and will have a different personality/temperament.

I believe the problem you're having is that you don't have enough tank to have both of these fish together.

 

[bluenapG]

Seriously? I have a 55 long - though part is separated for my huge JD, which I inherited. The JD chases to Black Belt around - would it be crazy to open the tank up with all three together? I don't know if the LFS will take the Red Devil back.

 

[CMN]

Seriously? I have a 55 long - though part is separated for my huge JD, which I inherited. The JD chases to Black Belt around - would it be crazy to open the tank up with all three together? I don't know if the LFS will take the Red Devil back.

Seriously.

That 55 would be able to house one of those but not all three and would still be a tight fit for a single RD/BB. Could get by with a pair of JD's in it though if you want to go that route.

 

[SinisterKisses]

Personally, I wouldn't even keep one RD or one Vieja in a 55gal tank. Too small IMO.

 

[CMN]

Personally, I wouldn't even keep one RD or one Vieja in a 55gal tank. Too small IMO.

Well a 55 long has the same length and width of a 75, it's just short. I just wouldn't feel comfortable putting a 12+" fish in a tank that only has a height of 13".

 

[sjwrx]

Personally, I wouldn't even keep one RD or one Vieja in a 55gal tank. Too small IMO.

Well a 55 long has the same length and width of a 75, it's just short. I just wouldn't feel comfortable putting a 12+" fish in a tank that only has a height of 13".

a 55g is 48" x 13" x 21"
a 75g is 48" x 18" x 21"

The depth makes a diff.

 

[CMN]

Personally, I wouldn't even keep one RD or one Vieja in a 55gal tank. Too small IMO.

Well a 55 long has the same length and width of a 75, it's just short. I just wouldn't feel comfortable putting a 12+" fish in a tank that only has a height of 13".

a 55g is 48" x 13" x 21"
a 75g is 48" x 18" x 21"

The depth makes a diff.

OP said he has a 55 long which is 48" x 18" x 13" aka a short 75g

 

[SinisterKisses]

Either way, too small IMO.

 

[oldcatfish]

In my experience BB's are every bit as aggressive as RD's. RD's just are better known among non-cichlid keepers.

In any event..I agree with the others, not enough room. Any tank less than 6 feet long has a very slim chance of being successful with both species.

 

[bluenapG]

Thanks very much. You guys have taught me a lot.

I've decided to give up the two new fish - I posted them on MFK - and get peaceful cichlids I can keep in the half of the tank walled off from the JD.

 

[phishes]

Either way, too small IMO.

I agree. These fish need a 6' tank to give them enough territorial space.