i was wondering what kind of "oddball fish" if any could be compatible with cichlids(yellow labs, red zebras). i have a 55 gal tank. i seen at petco that they had a "elephant fish" (if thats the right name im using) and a eel of somesort (i dont remember the corect name they used) in with some of the bigger cichlids. but cant find anything on here to say if that would realy be o.k. would any eels, loaches, dragon fish, elephant fish, or any other "oddballs" work out for me?
compatibility
- Thread starter ratts
- Start date
Pufferpack
Fish Herder
Hi ratts...the Elephant Nose is actually a type of Cichlid I believe 
and depending on the type of eel they should be good tankmates for yellow labs (I find our labs totally non-aggressive). I wouldn't think the Dragon goby would do well as they have very poor eyesight and would probably noe get much of the food. Check with Graeam about the clowns, I know they get large and should have no trouble holding their own in with mbunas
and depending on the type of eel they should be good tankmates for yellow labs (I find our labs totally non-aggressive). I wouldn't think the Dragon goby would do well as they have very poor eyesight and would probably noe get much of the food. Check with Graeam about the clowns, I know they get large and should have no trouble holding their own in with mbunas
The elephant nose are mormyrids which can be quite delicate and require perfect water quality at all times so i wouldnt really recomend keeping them with AC's,they also can get to 10" so need a large tank.Pufferpack is correct about the dragon gobie,they are indead almost blind and would quickliy starve in a cichlid community.
Loaches require totally differnt water chemistry to AC (loaches like soft water and AC like hard) so shouldnt be mixed,also most Botia species (loaches) are easily frightened by active aggressive tankmates and would soon come down with ich which the are very prone to.
If you can find one of the Afromastacembleus species of spiney eel you could add one of them as they are often found in the same lakes as cichlids,just dont expect to raise any fry as all eels are extreme predators also remember that they can attain lengths of 18" or more so require large tanks.
The only fish i would recomend to keep with african cichlids would be a synodontis species of catfish or one of the polypterus species (bichirs),just remember that the bichirs are predators which need to kept with fish large enough to not be eaten and the synos will eat eggs and fry if given the chance.
Loaches require totally differnt water chemistry to AC (loaches like soft water and AC like hard) so shouldnt be mixed,also most Botia species (loaches) are easily frightened by active aggressive tankmates and would soon come down with ich which the are very prone to.
If you can find one of the Afromastacembleus species of spiney eel you could add one of them as they are often found in the same lakes as cichlids,just dont expect to raise any fry as all eels are extreme predators also remember that they can attain lengths of 18" or more so require large tanks.
The only fish i would recomend to keep with african cichlids would be a synodontis species of catfish or one of the polypterus species (bichirs),just remember that the bichirs are predators which need to kept with fish large enough to not be eaten and the synos will eat eggs and fry if given the chance.
thank you, that answed all my questions( kinda disappointing, but you cant have everthing!)
would the dragon gobi be ok with gourami's?
do the eels have a tendency to "escape", or better asked does the top need to be completly covered? mine is but wondering out of curisity as a precation durring cleaning and stuff.
also what would i feed the eel?
loaches would be totaly out for me i have a higher ph. and i dont want to mess with trying to make the water suitable.
would the dragon gobi be ok with gourami's?
do the eels have a tendency to "escape", or better asked does the top need to be completly covered? mine is but wondering out of curisity as a precation durring cleaning and stuff.
also what would i feed the eel?
loaches would be totaly out for me i have a higher ph. and i dont want to mess with trying to make the water suitable.
A dragon gobie would be ok in a tank with gouramis as they would feed a different levels of the tank,it is other bottom feeders that dragons have problems with.If you get a dragon gobie the most important thing to remember is that although they have a huge mouth with fearsome looking teeth they are actually filter feeders which feed on tiny organisms by taking in big gulps of water,i have found the best foods to be daphnia brinshrimp and bloodworm,they cannot be fed on flake or pellet foods.
Eels are predatory by nature so are best fed on meaty foods,worms of all kinds will be taken as well as small fish (alive or dead) and shrimps,with time you may be able to get them to take carnivor pellets.
The tank needs to be well sealed when keeping either species as both are natural escape artists,our dragon has ended up on the carpet on more than one occassion whilst doing water changes.
Eels are predatory by nature so are best fed on meaty foods,worms of all kinds will be taken as well as small fish (alive or dead) and shrimps,with time you may be able to get them to take carnivor pellets.
The tank needs to be well sealed when keeping either species as both are natural escape artists,our dragon has ended up on the carpet on more than one occassion whilst doing water changes.
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