Community Cichlid

[New Boy]

Is there a community cichlid that can get on ok in hard water (rules out south american dwarfs)? I was thinking either kribs or african butterfly cichlid (aka Thomas' african butterfly cichlid) in a ratio of one male to three females - would that work? I'd also put in asian glass catfish, debauwi catfish, bristlenose, thick lipped gourami and cherry and bariloides barbs.

Any thoughts if that mix would work?

Cheers
Andy

 

[freddyk]

African riverine cichlids like kribs come from the same type of waters as new world cichlids, the hard water cichlids you're thinking of are specifically from the Rift lakes. Just how hard is your water? Also, is this for the 80g in your sig?

 

[New Boy]

Yep, all for the tank in my sig.

my water is around 13 degrees gH.

That help?

Cheers
Andy

 

[freddyk]

It is a little hard, but most cichlids will adapt to it, so I wouldn't worry much as long as you avoid the more delicate types. The size of the tank will help open up options, but to really say anything it would be good to know the types of fish you already have to choose a suitable cichlid to go with them. You might need something feisty like Kribs, or you might be better off with something mild like Keyholes.

 

[jpedersen024]

Hmm.. not to glom onto this post, (but I will anyways..) but does 100-120 ppm (total hardness) classify as hard water?

I'd consider it moderate, but wondering how much of a stretch it would be to keep healthy, happy rams in it...??

 

[New Boy]

Current fish;

Asian glass catfish
Cherry barbs
Bariloides barbs
Debauwi catfish
Bristlenose

All pretty tame and placid really. I'd like to get some smallish gourami's too (thick lipped or banded).

Cheers
Andy

 

[beechey]

firemouth everytime..

 

[freddyk]

All pretty tame and placid really. I'd like to get some smallish gourami's too

It would be wise to choose between the cichlids and the gourami's, they tend not to work well together. I'd consider Rams or Apistogramma as far as cichlids go.