Can I Add More?

[jameshiggins]

i have a 48x18x18 tank which currently holds 1 jd, 1gt a blue acara and 2 firemouts. jack dempsey being the largest at around 4.5 inch and smallest are firemouths around 1inch. looking ad adding more possibly a few small shoaling fish if possible. wot do you guys fink??

please note i will be upgrading tank size to around 6 foot withing 3/4 months.

many thanks
james

 

[Dan81192]

i have a 48x18x18 tank which currently holds 1 jd, 1gt a blue acara and 2 firemouts. jack dempsey being the largest at around 4.5 inch and smallest are firemouths around 1inch. looking ad adding more possibly a few small shoaling fish if possible. wot do you guys fink??

please note i will be upgrading tank size to around 6 foot withing 3/4 months.

many thanks
james

id say yes, but only small fish,

 

[jameshiggins]

any suggestions on wot would mix ok?

 

[Colin_T]

nothing that will fit in the jack dempsey's mouth when it is bigger.
you could look at rainbowfish (Melanotaenia or Glossolepis sp), rosy barbs and other big danios/barbs. Congo & African longfin tetras or other big tetra sp.

check out the link for rainbowfish pics
http/members.optushome.com.au/chelmon/Melano.htm

 

[jameshiggins]

put 5 large tiger barbs ion yesterday, now theres only 2 left

 

[shroob]

Personally I wouldn't add another cichlid, maybe some dithers but they risk being killed (either eaten or aggression).

 

[Davo86]

I use good sized Giant Danios as Dithers, They tend to stay near the top of the tank and are too quick to be bothered by the cichlids,
I have 5 which were previosuly in with a pair of convicts and a blue acara, and are now in with my Nicaraguence and few medium sized catfish.

 

[andyourblueblood]

try silver dollars. they are usually the best for cichlids. get a small shoal of about 5-6. tinfoil barbs also work really well, as do red tail chalceus. you could even try leporinus.

 

[jameshiggins]

dont silver dollars eat plants tho?

 

[Davo86]

Yes, but adult cichlids will also usually destroy them.

 

[andyourblueblood]

Yes, but adult cichlids will also usually destroy them.

yeah, either way the plants will be demolished at some point.

 

[Colin_T]

You can use artificial plants and floating plants. And if the cichlids are fed vegetable pellets and flakes, or peas, beans, etc, then they should not do as much damage to the real plants.

 

[jameshiggins]

o rite any maybe give sum silver dollars a go any idea where i can get some decent realistic silk plants from? my lfs dont sell many