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ok i have a tank with 1 jackdempsey,7 convicts,4 severums.

My water parameters are this
0 ammonia
0 nitrite
5 nitrate
pH 6.0
total alkalinity very low
exremly soft water


is the pH too low for these cichlids or should i try to raise it


Est solarus uth mithas,My honor is my life

A quick google search turned up the following.


Jack Dempsey ph range 7 to 8.5 Central American, solitary fish, violent to all tankmates.

Severums - 6 to 7.5 ph, South American, fairly peaceful cichlid.

Convicts - 6 to 7.5 ph - Central American, will hold their own with a Jack Dempsey. Maybe even kill it despite the size difference.

I'd leave the Severum out of the equation for 2 reasons, 1. peaceful and can be timid no match for the others
2. mixing cichlids (african, south american, central american, is not a good thing. I tried it, not good.

Aim for 7 to 7.5 ph for the other 2.


The Amazon Nut...

I would also try to raise the ph to 7.5, but remember to make it gradually, so not to shock the fish.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/corydoras/
Member of the Malta Aquarist Society - 1970.
http://www.maltaaquarist.com

If cichlids grow up together from baby to adult they will be way less hostile to each other, but not always.