Afircan Cichlids And A Indian Dwarf Puffer

[lamonsas]

hey all my friend has 2 red zebra cichlids in his 10 gallon tank, he has a great filter and all, he wants to add a indian dwarf puffer in the tank, i know 10 gallon is too small, dont comment on that, i just wanted to ask if there will be conficlt between the african cichlids and the puffer as in killing each other? the puffer is young, so are the cichlids, again, do not say 10 gallon is too small pleasei just want to know a general question , will there be a conflict as in killing each other or they will just be fighting to settle territory ?

 

[dthoffsett]

The zebras will kill the puffer, and NOTHING should be added to the tank. And, as a responsible fish keeper, I have to say that m.estherae should not be kept in anything smaller than a 4-ft tank.

However, if he returned the cichlids, he could have a couple of dwarf puffers in the tank, as long as he plants it well.

 

[lamonsas]

why will the zebras kill the puffer? i mean whats the reason for that? i actually heared the puffer might be the one hurting the zebras. btw , the zebras dont get along with corys right? such as albino corys or panda corys, they will eat corries or they get along with corys? but then again the africans live in PH of 8.2 , corys are supposed to be in 7.0 at max so i guess thats not such a good idea, there are no kind of bottom dwellers that are compatible with the african cichlids? other than plecos.

 

[dthoffsett]

As I said in the PM I sent you, mbuna are far more aggressive than dwarf puffers, and putting them in an undersized tank will only increase their aggression. I wouldn't be surprised if one zebra kills the other one once they reach sexual maturity.

Corys won't work with mbuna because they'll almost certainly be stressed to death by the mbuna. Most plecos will work as they have armoured bodies. Catfish from the syndontis family work well, but again, no fish should be added to the 10 gallon.

 

[lamonsas]

what kind of pleco doesnt get too big? they only have panda and albino corys at his LFS last time we checed.

 

[Davo86]

what kind of pleco doesnt get too big? they only have panda and albino corys at his LFS last time we checed.

firstly no plec is small enough to live in a 10G, secondly as you've already been told, any none cichlid you put in that tank is most likely going to get killed, not to mention one of your friends current fish when they get a little older.