Dwarf Cichlid For Community Tank

[Cú Mhara]

I'm trying to decide on a group of dwarf cichlids to add to my tank, and I'm a bit stuck.

The set-up is:

36 x 18 x 19 (200 litres)
Aquamanta EX 300 external filter
Quite a lot of bogwood (with plenty of Java Moss, Java Ferns, and Anubias tied on)

Current occupants:

6 juvenile Angelfish (looking for a pair and will re-home the rest)
14 Diamond Tetra
1 Bristlenose Pleco

I am considering the following:

Apistogramma Cacatuoides
Apistogramma Borelli
Bolivian Ram
Laetacara Curviceps

I am open to others, these are just the ones that I know for sure are readily available to me. Oh, and my PH is about 7.6.

The Bolivian Rams seem like a safe bet because I know that they don't need soft, acidic water to thrive, and I reckon I there should be space for a group of them (I hear they do better in groups).

Which of the above would you recommend given the listed tank-mates, why, and how many?

Also, once I'm only left with two Angels do you reckon I could get away with adding another group of Tetras? I'd quite like to get some Lemon Tetras, you see.

Thanks in advance for any and all advice offered!

 

[Crossfire]

All of the cichlids you've mentioned should do fine with the stock
Personally, I'd go with a harem of cockatoo cichlids due to their amazing colors
But, the Bolivian is much more relaxed and do in fact like larger groups, which will look very interesting

 

[magpie]

I've had Apistos (different ones than your list), Rams, and a different type of Laetacara. I'll leave it to others to comment on the pH - mine is in the slightly acidic range so I've never had to research that, however I know that the Bolivians are more tolerant than some other dwarves when it comes to these things..

What do you like? I really like fish that interact. I think that my Laetacara and Rams have been more owner interactive. They're not as flashy, although I will say that when my Laetacara were spawning they were absolutely gorgeous. And I also like the subtle pinks and sparkly yellows of the Bolivians (and the mohawks), and they color up nicely when they're happy and comfortable. I think you could have a larger group of the Bolivians, so that's also something to think about. The Apistos are definitely more beautiful but for me, personally, I would choose one of the other two. But we all like different things.

The Laetacara and Bolivians are a bit bigger, and chunkier. My Apistos were definitely more bottom dwellers, while my Bolivians and Laetacara would explore more tank space (particularly the Laetacara). All were/are pigs. The Laetacara were snail assassins! The Apistos are fun to watch because they sift the substrate a lot.

Do you have plants in the substrate too, or just on the bogwood? Any of them would be happy with floating plants.

And I do think you could have another school of tetras once you get an angel pair, too.

 

[Cú Mhara]

One of the main issues putting me off Apistos is that I've read their lifespan is only a couple of years, while Bolivian Rams, for example, can live for up to five years. How many Bolivian Rams do you guys reckon I could squeeze in?

I don't have any plants that aren't tied to bogwood, at the moment. But I do have loads, and I am planning on upgrading my lights and getting some Vallis, Swords, Crypts, etc.

 

[Tizer]

Being only 3 foot long the footprint isn't huge, i have Bolivians and i would say a trio would be ample, they push each other around quite a lot, so they do need their own space to hide if it gets a little heavy.

 

[magpie]

The more plants and cover, the happier any of the dwarves you've mentioned will be!

 

[Cú Mhara]

Does anyone have anything to say about the Apistogramma Borelli? They look great but I'm unsure about how many I could get, and ratios, etc. It's most likely going to be between them and the Bolivian Rams.

 

[Tizer]

Borelli and many other Apistos do take some looking after. They are not really what i would call "fish for the novice". You've really got to put some effort into providing the right environment for them. They appreciate a well planted tank with leaf litter on the bottom with plenty of places to hide in. water requirements are a little more strict than the Bolivians will need. Basically Bolivians are far easier to care for and much more hardy.