Cichlids?

[Duz]

I have kept 2 Krib Cichlids, well saying that 1 of them died within a few months as the other krib kind of bullied it to death Anyway the bad news is I just found my second krib dead After she died I did a water test and the water is perfect, she had no fin rot and she still had her colour in her fins which means she couldn't of been dead long. She also wasn't being attack as she didn't have any bite marks (she owned my tank). Personally I reckon that when I changed my tank around she couldn't find a hiding place. Although I created some for her and the plec. The krib didn't seem to like it as much therefore stressing her out. She did look a bit the past few days but oh well, fish don't live forever.

So ... after I install some new hiding places and my new tank layout is finally complete I was thinking about getting another cichlid. But what type do I go for? I loved keeping the kribs but I'm up for a change so long as they are colourful Any ideas?

 

[minnnt]

Well seeing as you like the kribs so much, why not a relative of the kribensis such as the teaniatus (sp?) Nile red (I think!) Which are brilliant. Very colourful and just as easy to keep as kribs, but are more expensive. Failing that then what about another pair of kribensis pulcher? Can't beat them, I love em! You don't say what size your tank is so can't exactly suggest something that will get massive incase your tank is too small. Depending on tank mates that you already have you could get a pair of blood red jewels as their colour is hard to beat. But they can be very aggressive. Also look into apistogrammas which are an American dwarf cichlid. Also very colourful. I have a pair of honduran red points that are very intensely blue. A really great colour to have in your tank.

Cheers.

BTW, if you provide a bit more info on your tank and inhabitants then members can give you better advice.

 

[Duz]

I have a 120liter tank, and the fish are:

1. 6 Denison Barbs
2. 6 Pristella
3. 5 Cory
4. 2 Cherry Barbs (last 2)
5. 1 Neon (last 1)
6. 1 Zebra Otter (last 1)
7. 1 Plec

I don't have too much room left so small cichlids would be best, thanks for the advice though. Will look into all thoughs cichlids I love buying new fish

 

[minnnt]

I would stick with the kribs. Did they get chance to spawn? Their aggression can be an issue when they do so bare this in mind. if you want something different maybe go for the alpine kribensis?

 

[Duz]

Well I had 2 females so that would be interesting if they managed to breed na they were a good pair although the 1 which survived was quite aggressive to new fish. She always had to put them in there place but as soon as they got use to the tank she didn't mind too much. I like having some community fish and then a cichlid cause they just add the slight aggression if that makes sense. I like how they always have to own the tank.

 

[minnnt]

lol. Me personallly, i would get a pair, nothing better than watching a pair bring up a brood of fry.

Now i'm on the computer i will find out the proper name of the other variety...

Here you go... Pelvicachromis Taeniatus Nigerian Red (There is also a green and a yellow variety)

They do look brilliant in the flesh, i was amazed when i saw them. They were about £22 a pair though in my lfs compared to £12 for the normal Pulcher.

 

[Duz]

Thanks minnnt and yer sounds like a good idea. I would like to see them bring up loads of fry the only problem is I don't want to overstock my tank and because of only having 1 tank I would have no idea what to do with all the fry. If you could post the proper names that would be great thanks.

Ok they look good, not going to lie. Great looking fish.

 

[minnnt]

You can sell the babies when around 1" which would help pay for food etc and if you sell privately rather than to a LFS then you get cash in your pocket. I sell Kribs for £1.50 privately and if they have a group of around 10-15 it's not bad to flog on just to get yourself a few plants or a tub of food etc. Mine have never kept more than this amount even though their spawn is more around 100 eggs.

It's very rewarding to watch them grow up and the care offered by the parents. I'm thinking of investing in a pair of Albino Kribensis next.

 

[Duz]

Sounds like quite a good idea, might have to think about that. I did breed some rice fish but only by accident and are kribs easy to breed? Or do they need certain conditions like hidin places for all the fry?

 

[minnnt]

They're pretty easy to breed mate. As long as there is a cave of some sort that they can take ownership of then they will happily spawn from my experience. Mine have spawned in a ship and are now spawning in a home made coconut shell. Even a plant pot on it's side with a few rocks in from will keep them happy. The tank they are in has a few plants in which will help some of the fry hide, but the parents do take care of them very well. The parents can be aggressive though and chase most of the fish away, but they typically keep theselves to lower levels so this may not be a problem.

 

[Duz]

Ok, well I am creating new hiding places for my plec and hopefully my new form of cichlid so that should be quite interesting. I am currently restocking my plants so its going to be more planted, I just need to create these extra hiding places. As for them being aggressive, I have some denisons which like to take up most of the tank and although the kribs try to scare them off, they are a lot quicker and bigger so are normally fine. My problem is would they go after the corys to protect their fry? Because the corys are slightly slower and are more likely to get in the firing line so to speak.

 

[minnnt]

possibly yes as they occupy the same part of the tank. If you have enough hidey holes then i think you will be alright. Trial and error i'm affraid. Cory's don't tend to bother fry i dont think anyway. (Well, mine ever have)

 

[Duz]

My cory are peaceful and have never got in the way but, saying that the last krib I had was always a little bit aggressive towards them. I will create some more hiding places so they can shelter their fry. Thanks for the advice.

 

[minnnt]

No problem Duz. Let me know what you decide and how it turns out.

Cheers.

 

[Duz]

Ok thanks minnnt for all your help.