Compatible Cichlids

[da7thson]

Hi All,

Now i've got my 240L up and running and will be a dedicated South american tank, i'm thinking about what i can add to the stocking.

Currently i have 1m 1f apistogramma agassizi, 20 cardinal tetra, 7 panda corys and a clown pleco.

I would like to add another type of Cichlids to the tank as i think there behaviour is facinating.

Options i'm thinking about are:

1) a pair of type of Ram (bolivian / german / blue) but are worried that they will just hide all the time as the Apisto's can be moody from time to time and read Rams can be timmid.
2) angel fish. But worried that they will eat the tetra's
3) discus - tempted, but i prefer small fish as i like the impact of lots of fish in a big tank for scale.
4) any other surgestions?

Andy

 

[onidrase]

Hi All,

Now i've got my 240L up and running and will be a dedicated South american tank, i'm thinking about what i can add to the stocking.

Currently i have 1m 1f apistogramma agassizi, 20 cardinal tetra, 7 panda corys and a clown pleco.

I would like to add another type of Cichlids to the tank as i think there behaviour is facinating.

Options i'm thinking about are:

1) a pair of type of Ram (bolivian / german / blue) but are worried that they will just hide all the time as the Apisto's can be moody from time to time and read Rams can be timmid.
2) angel fish. But worried that they will eat the tetra's
3) discus - tempted, but i prefer small fish as i like the impact of lots of fish in a big tank for scale.
4) any other surgestions?

Andy

bolivians will be alright, they'd be able to hold their own against an apisto.

Angels should be fine too, as long as you get them small. Cardinals are less likely to get eaten than neons, and the big school of them will definitely turn an angel away.

I'm not so sure about discus, they like the water pretty warm (not to mention should be kept in a group of 6) I don't know how your apistos would like warmer water (mid 80's area) this would also put your cories in an uncomfortable position.

You could try for keyhole cichlids as well, though they're less flashy. Full of personality, though.

 

[lloyd]

You could look into gymnogeophagus. some of them are stunning

 

[dougie]

I agree with Onidrase, Keyholes are great. Not as dull as some make out, but not the showiest (if that's a real word) either. Bags of character & very compatable with others too.

 

[da7thson]

I agree with Onidrase, Keyholes are great. Not as dull as some make out, but not the showiest (if that's a real word) either. Bags of character & very compatable with others too.

Thanks for the info guys. I'll have a look into the Keyholes, and the Bolian Rams.

Thanks again

Andy

 

[magpie]

I'm a big fan of the Laetacara myself. I have a pair of the L. araguaiae, you could also go with the curviceps or dorsigera. I like their personalities - mine are curious, big eaters (grew pretty fast because they're such little pigs), will kill small snails like crazy, and are the type of fish that 'ask' you for food when you go by the tank. Mine seem to spend less time at the bottom like the Apisto, though they definitely hang out some down there, they spend a lot of time be-bopping around the plants and at higher levels looking for snails. So in that respect they seem pretty compatible with the Apisto, mine (Baenschi Inka) really stay mostly on the bottom.

My laetacara just spawned and their breeding colors are gorgeous, but they are definitely chasing the Apistos around... not hurting them so far, but chasing. I had it suggested to me to try and get two males so that they wouldn't spawn and would be less likely to get into this mode - it's a good suggestion, actually. When mine aren't in breeding mode they really only chase each other here and there. They always submitted to the Apisto, and never looked at any other fish until breeding time. Even then, they only chase the other fish when they come close to the fry. I have read that domestic-bred ones are more mellow than wild, also. (Mine are wild.)

I also have a 65-gallon. It would definitely be less stressful for me if no one bred - in that case I wouldn't worry about the 4 dwarves together, but I do worry sometimes now. Just something to think about. Not sure how aggressive your Apistos are or if they've bred at all....