Cockatoo Cichlid And Neon Tetras

[Crossfire]

I'm planning on getting two cockatoo cichlids, but I'm also getting neon tetras. Would the cichlids eat the neon tetras?

 

[minnnt]

Hi crossfire, welcome to the forum. I think the neons will be a little too big to be eaten by the apisto's. (I'm assuming that's what you mean when you say cockatoo cichlids?) And they would probably be quick enough to avoid any aggression if the cichlids decide to breed. They're probably smart enough to stop out of the way too... what size tank is it and your ph should be slightly acidic.

 

[Crossfire]

Hi crossfire, welcome to the forum. I think the neons will be a little too big to be eaten by the apisto's. (I'm assuming that's what you mean when you say cockatoo cichlids?) And they would probably be quick enough to avoid any aggression if the cichlids decide to breed. They're probably smart enough to stop out of the way too... what size tank is it and your ph should be slightly acidic.

Its a 20 gal. I was going to have my pH between 6-7 and yes, Cockatoo Cichids are apistogrammas. I'm planning to stock it with these fish

4-8 Neon Tetras
2 Cockatoo Cichlids
2-3 Sparkling Gouramis
6 GloFish (Zebra Danios)
1 Bristlenose or Starry Bristlenose or Clown Plec
3 Otocinclus

 

[minnnt]

I think you maybe pushing it a little with your numbers for the size of tank... maybe lose the zebra danios?

 

[Crossfire]

i can always lose the cichlids...the only reason im gettong glofish is because i currently own a 5 gallon glofish tank with 2 glofish and an otto cat....just wanted them to feel secure with there own kind and shoal when i move them to the larger tank. Or i can lose the pleco and just stay with the ottos. I just wanted a bridtlenose because i read that ottos dont eat all kinds of algae, only green and brown algae but not other types.

 

[minnnt]

Although they eat algae, the best way to keep it at bay is by keeping lights on to a minimum, 7-8 hours a day maximum. Also make sure you have plenty if circulation in your tank. Don't upset the substrate too much either as this encourages algae growth too. ZD's need a fair bit of space as they're very active and can swim very fast. Make sure you have enough filtration as plecs produce a lot of waste. No reason you shouldn't have the fish you mention, just ensure your tank maintenance is frequent. Are you dead set on the gouramis?

6 neons
6 zebra danios
2 apisto's (consider veija species too)
4 otto's
1 BN

You could always add the gourami at a later date if you think your tank and filtration can handle it.

 

[Crossfire]

Although they eat algae, the best way to keep it at bay is by keeping lights on to a minimum, 7-8 hours a day maximum. Also make sure you have plenty if circulation in your tank. Don't upset the substrate too much either as this encourages algae growth too. ZD's need a fair bit of space as they're very active and can swim very fast. Make sure you have enough filtration as plecs produce a lot of waste. No reason you shouldn't have the fish you mention, just ensure your tank maintenance is frequent. Are you dead set on the gouramis?

6 neons
6 zebra danios
2 apisto's (consider veija species too)
4 otto's
1 BN

You could always add the gourami at a later date if you think your tank and filtration can handle it.

Yeah, i think i'll have trouble even finding the sparklers as my LFS doesn't have them...but depending on which fish i find first i'll put them in. Don't cichlids have to added lastly to a tank or else they think the whole tank is their territory?

 

[GShorty1981]

(consider veija species too)

not sure if serious ,Viejas are massive aggressive cichlids that need big tanks!

By the way, aren't GloFish illegal? or is that just in the UK?

 

[minnnt]

Viejita. Obviously knew what I meant considering I was talking about apistos.

 

[GShorty1981]

Thought it was a joke

 

[minnnt]

Lol.