Ciclids In Comunity Tank.

[electropunk06]

hi im trying to find out if ciclids can go in community tanks?
the more i read the more confused i get. at my lfs they are all labeled as red (needs specal care) so not sure if they can go in with other fish?
thanks

 

[Verminator89]

Depends entirely on the cichlid, and just to add double confusion it depends on the individual fish's personality. I had an a Blue German Ram that would chase/nip/ and eventually subdue a tetra untill it gave up. I now have a Jack Dempsey who will swim alongside platy fry and not even be bothered. I also have two angels who couldnt have a care in the world about what fish it swims with, then another (not the alpha either) who chases anything smaller than it that moves.

What cichlids are you looking at potentially?

 

[karin]

It does depend on the individual fish but some are regulars in community tanks. My Bolivian ram pair are absolutely perfect community members. I have angelfish that are doing very well (although careful with angels and small community fish like neon tetras sometimes these just become angelfish food). I had a keyhole cichlid that did well in the community tank as well but had a tendency to mess with my plants. So just some ideas.

 

[PDSimon]

Loads of dwarf cichlids, bolivian rams are a great example... they will get on with most fish but you still have to be careful about what you choose just like with any fish though really.

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

It entirely depends upon what cichlid you have in mind and what "community" they are going into

For instance, my four Lionhead Cichlids have vastly reduced swim bladders, as they could from the Congo/Zaire River and live in set areas with their one mate for life. Given the enormous flow of the river, the reduced swim bladder reduces the odds of them being swept away by the current, so they "hop-swim" along the floor of the river and my tank. This means that they would be oblivious to any fish that swims in the mid and top levels of my tank and as long as the other community fish that use the floor at times (Panda Garras, Redline Torpedo Barbs, sometimes the "Giant Otos" Hypoptopoma inexspectatum) are zippy and savy (know when not to be near the Lionheads' cave homes), everyone "plays" nicely.

 

[BethK]

for the short while, my apistogrammas were rather peaceful, never bothered the bettas and vice versa.

I think, these days, it is down to the personality of the fish but always have a back up plan

 

[electropunk06]

im not sure which one i want, they all look similar to me just started taking an interest in them.
which one would be suited for a beginner? i may have a spare tank (60L) in a few months, because im looking at buying a 150-200L tank and am not sure what to do with my current set up so a cilid might be the way to go.
thanks

 

[BethK]

for a 60ltr, i would say apistogrammas

 

[electropunk06]

for a 60ltr, i would say apistogrammas

how many apistogrammas could go in a 60L and what else could i have with them?

 

[Verminator89]

I'd get a male and two female if your going down the Apistogramma route. They are good with most fish to be honest, so tetra's would be good and there are some stunning tetras out there. Too many to name here

Alternatively Dwarf Cichlids such as Bolivian Rams, German Blue Rams and Kribs are good small cihlids. Again keeping perhaps 1 male to two females is a safe bet with these fish. Also these do well with most fish.

As an interesting alternative to keep them with have you thought of Japonica shrimp, or Cherry shrimp even? They make fascinating companions to any community set-up.

As a side note i think Dwarf Gourami's make adoreable centre piece fish.

 

[electropunk06]

i was looking on the fish index and it says you would need 90L for apistogramma is that right?

i will have a look at dwarf cichlids i think they may be the way forward

i do like the look of shrimp but my tank is full at the minute but when i get a bigger tank (hopefully this weekend) then i may look at getting some.

i've never thought of my gourami as a center piece but they are indeed they seem to fit in well in my tank, i know it isn't ideal having two males but when the lay out of plants is right they get on very well with each other.
thanks