Cichlids In A Community Tank?

[andybside]

I spoke to my local aquatics centre today and they told me if im going to have cichlids then i wouldn't be able to have any other species in the tank. Is this true?

I quite like the african and malawian cichlids but also want some tetras and maybe a checkerboard discus, elephant nose sharks or some barbs.... Im really confused?

I don't want to mix the wrong fish and end up with a killing spree on my hands?

 

[minxfishy]

If your going down the malawi route, then they are right, with a few exceptions, its best, as they are aggressive species with their own structures, things like tetras etc wouldnt stand much chance, if you have a group of malawis you have in mind, it may be best to post in the african cichlid section asking for the best mixes of fish and what, if anything else, can be kept with them.

 

[shaz-killie]

Hi and welcome, well partly the local shop is correct. most cichlids can get aggressive especially at breeding times and won't go in a tank with calmer tankmates. however there are a few cichlids you can have, mainly dwarf cichlids (I'm sure someone will add more) but I've kept rams and kribs in my tanks and I think keyhole cichlid is also ok. I've never kept some of the larger cichlids just for the very fact you can't keep certain ones together. Also what size of tank are you going to keep them in as things like a jack dempsey requires at least a 55g tank? also I'd avoid keeping just one discus as they should be kept in groups of five plus and they are very peaceful fish and would struggle to beat most cichlids to the food.