Loys of ?s and a few pics and vid. help please

[gmoses]

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/goinonbro/IMG_8834.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/goinonbro/IMG_8968.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/goinonbro/1a1.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4aFczyBOkM

So to begin My tank is small i know hopefully as soon as the budget and the girlfriend allow i will invest in a bigger tank. (it's a 4 ft 55 gallon) They are all from same wc kavala parents (possible different mothers) That being said at what point is the bigger guy just to big for the tank, he seems happy right now as he non stop digs his area ( i think that is normal) and eats well and has his area all set.
Amongst the group most of the time they hang out together and are chill...every once in a while a couple go at it mouth to mouth... and they chase each other but just more like hey respect my area chase... is that a concern?
The smallest one i noticed one fin looks like it has been nipped at is this permanent? Should i remove it? Also i noticed a couple of white spots on one of the fins...I did a good size water change added some salt and was wondering if i should treat for ich? or wait and see if it goes away or maybe its just my imagination? if it is ich do i treat them like other fish (had to do an ich treatment once for my goldfish).

Now i dont really plan on breeding as they are small and the tank is small but just in case it happens i was thinking maybe its best if i trade him( as much as i have quickly grown to love him) for another male kavala from a different group. Now as i dont know what sex the rest are if i get one his size which is bigger than the rest will a new guy take charge of the tank or does size matter when it comes to dominance...
If i cant find a direct trade..what would be a fair price to ask so i can use the money to buy a new guy? and lastly if i purchased a couple of juvies from another batch would that be dangerous as they would be small compared to the rest...i know they grow quick the first year...
if they scratch themselves do they heal or missing scales permanent?
sorry i know its a lot of questions but just to say how much i love these guys i have taken literally thousands of pics and videos of them and i only have them for a month..i want to do right by them..
thank you all. this site has been very helpful in my research over the last few months

[phillyofish]

Hi G,
I keep Fronts also, you will need a larger tank to keep Fronts. I keep my fronts in a 150. I have 7 Kapampa fronts. they can be agressive towards each other when claiming territory or during mating. Since youra are not of mating age I would say it is due to territorial. As far as medication I have used what many of the vets have recommended - increase water temp gradually and add salt.

[CJC]

G,

[CJC]

G,
The white spots are probably Fungus from the fin damage. I would keep up the water changes and as Pf said, add salt. I keep salt in my tanks, marine and Epsum salts. 1 tsp to 10 Gal. When I notice Fungus or Ich, I'll bump it up to 1 tsp to 5 gal. The fins will grow back in no time as long as they did not rip all the way back.

[gmoses]

they actually seem ok as far teh white dots not really seeing it..shoudl a put a few spoons of epson salt any way...i added a cichlid salt in a few days ago...
any thoughts on a fair price for the front male pics in the original thread...

[Heyguy74]

Epsom salts (MgSO4) will not treat ick. You need (NaCl) aquarium salt , kosher salt or table salt (without iodine). Marine salt also contains NaCl but also contains alot of other elements . Cichlid salts are also not only NaCl. Its the change in salinity that will kill ick.

[gmoses]

thanks for the new info i was unaware...i will give it a shot

[phillyofish]

you can also check online for DIY Salt mixtures ( Baking Soda, marine salt and epsom salt) in place of expensice cichlid salt.