Cichlid Rams, Rainbows, Angels And Siamese Fighters

[gazza76]

Just wondering whether it is a good idea to mix all of these beautifull fish together in the same community tank.

Rams Cichlid, Rainbows Cichlid, Angels and a Siamese Fighter (only one, obviously)

I already have 6 Zebra danio's, 6 Black phantom Tetra's, 2 Golden Sucking Loaches, 1 Plec and 2 cory's?!?

 

[jayjay]

tank size?

and the golden algae eater will be aggressive when older you know?

 

[KathyM]

I wouldn't get the angels if you're keeping the danios and the black widows - we had all 3 in our tank and both the danios and the black widows pestered the angels (and the angels pestered the widows back!), despite the danios and black widows being in large groups.

Edited to add: It's also worth knowing that common plecs (if that's what yours is) will outgrow all but the most massive tanks.

 

[gazza76]

Hi Again,
I have a 1m x 50cm x 50cm tank, or 180 litres.

I already have the Angels (4) in my tank and the Danio's and black phantom tetra's (I thought black widow tetras where different) are mixed, quite fine. It may be worth mentioning that I have 4 mollies too!

The golden loaches do chase each other quite a bit, but only bother each other!!!

My Plec is not standard, but cant find his name anywhere (red eyed something or other). But I do know, that the standard grow to 50cm ish!!!

 

[KathyM]

Yeah commons grow to up to 2ft+. Red eyed one? Erm....albino? Or Royal? Got a pic?

You're right, I misread you on the tetras, sorry. No experience with Phantoms.

 

[gazza76]

I do have photos, but it hasnt gfot the option on the reply page to post it!?! any ideas???

 

[SamUK]

you need to upload the image.


i use photobucket.com

 

[sylvia]

Big, big no to the siamese fighter (betta) - it'll get nipped and conflict with the angels.

With the rams, you may have problems if your angels breed and they might chase the cories around if they (the rams) breed. I'd personaly skip them. They may also be pestered by the territorial gold loaches and blue/german rams don't usualy react well to that kind of thing.

I'd take a similar view on the rainbow cichlids (I assume you mean Herotilapia multispinosa?) and avoid them as well.

Because your tank's 45 gallons though, you might be able to choose either one of the afformentioned cichlid species and get a pair to put in with your angels - but I wouldn't do both and I'd add some more cories beforehand.

The gold sucking loaches will grow to 10". They are notorious for nipping and bullying other fish but, somewhat more macabre, is their tendency to suck on fish' slime coats or remove their eyes. They'll also eat smaller fish once grown - and are fast enough to catch things like danios. The fish most at risk from them are tall, laterally compressed fish - like your angels. I'd realy, realy urge you to re-home them.

 

[Dwarfs]

If its between rams and rainbows, get rams.

IME, rainbows are like convicts, except not as common and a bit less aggressive (Just a little bit less ) These fish will breed when you get a pair, and life for your other fish will become a bit like hell under water

Look for bolivian rams, they are hardier than blue rams and aren't quite as shy (IME)

 

[gazza76]

Thanks for the advice guys, I didnt realise that the Golden loaches where such nasty lil buggers!!!

Also, I was told the same thing with the Beta and angels, but a local supplier has them mixed and has no problems, as long as they are young enough and grow up together

I see your point with the Cichlids (Rainbow and Rams). It's always the way when you see beuatifull fish.... I want that one!!!

I know Angel's are very territorial, suppose same race is bound to be too!!!

As far as uploading images, I managed to do it on another forum ( this site), but just didnt give me the option on this one. I'll try uploading to a site in a minute...

 

[gazza76]

http/i83.photobucket.com/albums/j305/gaz...06087-small.jpg

Not very good pic, but Its best I can get, as I cant find the lil bugger today!?!

Hiding under a rock, no doubt.

Just found him, but impossible to take a photo of the lil @$*>£$%

 

[KathyM]

He looks like an albino liposarcus pardalis (albino common plec), but it's hard to tell. Definitely an albino. You often find albino liposarcus in LFS (and especially in Pets At Home), then there are less frequently albino bristlenoses (which that definitely isnt) and albino gibbies.

Both gibbies and liposarcus reach 18" and over, with liposarcus sometimes attaining 2ft+. Gibbies need a minimum of 5ft x 2ft x 2ft as adults, liposarcus need even bigger.

Such a shame, because it's LFS to blame as usual - they sell these without thinking twice about their potential size.

 

[gazza76]

No matter, I'll probally have a second tank by the time he's quarter that size.

I'll make sure its a big one too!!!

If I can get a better pic, I'll post it.

Thanks for your help

 

[jayjay]

will you have the tank within the next 12 months? they can easily grow 1" a month and more.

 

[gazza76]

Not sure at the moment. Although 1" a month means he will be about 16" in a years time



Did think it would be so quick!!!