A Community Cichlid?

[twodoctors]

Hi all,

I am new to the hobby and my setup is as follow:

AquaOne AR980 215L
In hood drip filter
12 tiger barbs (5 regular, 4 green, 3 albino) all about 1-1.5" currently
6 Cory trillieaus
3 boesamani rainbowfish (3 more very soon) 2-3" currently

pH 7.8, GH 9dH, Black sand, lots of plants, wood and rocks, a few cave-like hiding spot.

I want to get a medium or 2 dwarf cichlid for my tank to finish the setup. I have been looking at blue acara, T-bar cichlid and Firemouth cichlid, which I think are all compitable with the above. As I understand dwarf cichlids in general prefers acidic water. Would be grateful if you could offer any suggetion/opinion. Thanks.

Adrian

 

[Carlovel1]

What about a pair of Rainbow Cichlids?

 

[twodoctors]

What about a pair of Rainbow Cichlids?

They do look nice but none of the LFS stock them...

 

[snowflake311]

Keyhole cichlids are always great. The blue acara can not be trusted with smaller fish. Cory cats would be ok but tetras or other small fish will be gone. I keep my Blue acara with my big boys and she gets along great with them. When She was with smaller fish she was a jerk.

Festivums, angles, Rams, Dwarf flag cichlids, and a pair of Apisto would be nice. There are lots of options because there are so many SA cichlids that come in all size and temperament.

 

[twodoctors]

Keyhole cichlids are always great. The blue acara can not be trusted with smaller fish. Cory cats would be ok but tetras or other small fish will be gone. I keep my Blue acara with my big boys and she gets along great with them. When She was with smaller fish she was a jerk.

Festivums, angles, Rams, Dwarf flag cichlids, and a pair of Apisto would be nice. There are lots of options because there are so many SA cichlids that come in all size and temperament.

Am I not limited by my pH with regards to dwarf? I thought my barbs would rip angel fishes apart, esp when I have 12 of them.

I am quite drawn to the T-bar cichlid. Firemouth would be a second choice. I have kind of given up on blue acara as the stocks in my LFS are fairly big. Same with the t-bar (3" I think) and I am worried it would eat my barbs. The firemouth stock are a lot smaller at about 2" max. Would I have a problem with terratority if I get a pair of keyhole?

Thanks.

Adrian

 

[snowflake311]

I think the keyhole would be your best bet. Even if you buy a fish small it will still grow.