Cichlids Compatibility

[Boston-Celtic]

Hey everybody. To start i would like to inform you guys about the fish in my tank. I have a 55 gallon tank that is home to 4 African Cichlids, 1 Blood Parrot, and 1 Pleco. Yeah i know ive got only a few fish for the size tank i own. I am in the process of acquiring new fish but i wasnt sure what kind fish are compatible the 4 African Cichlids, 1 Blood Parrot and Pleco that i own. Does anyone know? I had in mind getting a Rainbow Shark or Red Finned Shark however you may know that fish as, but i dont know if its compatible with the fish i have. I dont want to get a fish and then be eaten or beat up and nipped at. I had a Rope Fish before but it died for a strange reason i dont know why, so i wasnt ever with the Cichlids and i would want to get another one. The problem again is if it would be compatible with my fish. Can somebody help me out with their Compatibility? Or does anyone else own Cichlids that has them with other fish that can live in somewhat peace because they are an aggressive fish over all. Atleast where they can defend themselves? Please and thank you.

 

[Squidward]

What type of African Cichlids are they?

If they are Rift Lake, they are best kept in a community of their own kind. Either Malawis (Mbuna or Haps) or Tangs.

Long term this is best for them, due to water and diet requirements.

 

[Boston-Celtic]

What type of African Cichlids are they?

If they are Rift Lake, they are best kept in a community of their own kind. Either Malawis (Mbuna or Haps) or Tangs.

Long term this is best for them, due to water and diet requirements.

I believe i have 1 " Electric Blue Johannii, Blue Mbuna", 2 "Electric Yellow, Yellow Lab, Lemon Yellow" and 1 "Elongatus Mpanga, Elongate Mpanga, Mpanga elongatus" If im wrong and you know which kind they are can you correct me. Here are some pictures:

You can also see the sky blue Blood Parrot i have in this picture.

 

[SensesFail]

I love African cichlids and Synodontis! have 2 types of Synos they are adorable lol

 

[Boston-Celtic]

Can someone help me out in the matter as to what kind of african cichlids i exactly have? The pictures of the fish i have are the ones above.

 

[Squidward]

Can someone help me out in the matter as to what kind of african cichlids i exactly have? The pictures of the fish i have are the ones above.

You have Mbuna. These are rock dwelling cichlids from Lake Malawi.

Add a nice pile of rocks to your tank, they will be happiier.
Feed a vegetable based diet.
And keep the water on the alkaline & hard side.

For the above reasons, they are best kept in an Mbuna community.

 

[SensesFail]

Can someone help me out in the matter as to what kind of african cichlids i exactly have? The pictures of the fish i have are the ones above.

You have Mbuna. These are rock dwelling cichlids from Lake Malawi.

Add a nice pile of rocks to your tank, they will be happiier.
Feed a vegetable based diet.
And keep the water on the alkaline & hard side.

For the above reasons, they are best kept in an Mbuna community.

I'd second that having rocks with hiding holes and places to bolt around will make them happy and give them homes to call their own territories. Mine each have their place and when they are chasing each other they have places to hide in and dart around shaking off their aggressors. Then the aggressor gets bored and swims off haha.

As for food I feed mine in the mornings : tetra pro flakes and sera granured for cichlids. On an evening I give them spirulina flake and the sera granured. Tried them on cucumber but didn't seem interested l would like to know about the pea options.

 

[Boston-Celtic]

Can someone help me out in the matter as to what kind of african cichlids i exactly have? The pictures of the fish i have are the ones above.

You have Mbuna. These are rock dwelling cichlids from Lake Malawi.

Add a nice pile of rocks to your tank, they will be happiier.
Feed a vegetable based diet.
And keep the water on the alkaline & hard side.

For the above reasons, they are best kept in an Mbuna community.

Thank you for the help, I really appreciate it. Now i know what kind of cichlids i have. When i bought them all they said were "Assorted African Cichlids". My water is good, i just got it checked and their food has a vegetable diet as you said. The only thing i got to do is go by some rocks for them.

 

[Boston-Celtic]

Can someone help me out in the matter as to what kind of african cichlids i exactly have? The pictures of the fish i have are the ones above.

You have Mbuna. These are rock dwelling cichlids from Lake Malawi.

Add a nice pile of rocks to your tank, they will be happiier.
Feed a vegetable based diet.
And keep the water on the alkaline & hard side.

For the above reasons, they are best kept in an Mbuna community.

I'd second that having rocks with hiding holes and places to bolt around will make them happy and give them homes to call their own territories. Mine each have their place and when they are chasing each other they have places to hide in and dart around shaking off their aggressors. Then the aggressor gets bored and swims off haha.

As for food I feed mine in the mornings : tetra pro flakes and sera granured for cichlids. On an evening I give them spirulina flake and the sera granured. Tried them on cucumber but didn't seem interested l would like to know about the pea options.

I think i am definatly going to have to buy those rocks for my Mbuna, Cichlids then.

 

[bullit]

get them out the garden. slate, anything.

 

[SensesFail]

dobbies especially have loads but they are the same as any other garden centre

 

[GShorty1981]

I use pebbles heres my community http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZ6IS813_ak

I also mix SA and CA cichlids with Africans, but im selective, i go for the peaceful Labs, Blue Haps, Livingstoni and fish that share the same diet as the CA/SA's, i wouldnt advise mixing any old Mbuna with CA/SA.

 

[Boston-Celtic]

get them out the garden. slate, anything.

There arent many good rocks to put in my fish tank from my front or back yard. I went to Petco the other day so that they can take a look at my water and it was fine. I saw this tree trunk decor for my fish tank n i liked it alot so i bout it on the spot. It is pretty big and its hollow and has many holes for my finshes to swim in and out of. My fish just love it. I bet there happier.

I use pebbles heres my community http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZ6IS813_ak

I also mix SA and CA cichlids with Africans, but im selective, i go for the peaceful Labs, Blue Haps, Livingstoni and fish that share the same diet as the CA/SA's, i wouldnt advise mixing any old Mbuna with CA/SA.

I like your fish tank its very nice. Your Cichlids are way bigger than mines tho.