Dwarf Cichlid For My Tank?

[ChilliPepper]

I have a 190L tank currently being cycled, so am researching what fish I'm going to put in.

I already have Black Phantom Tetras (5), Columbian Red Fins (5), Opaline Gouramis (2) and a bulldog pleco.

I definitely want to add some angelfish (was thinking 2) and some Pygmy Corydoras (6).

Do I have room for something else? I really like the rainbow fish but also like the Rams/Bolivians and smaller community cichlids around.

Can anyone recommend a pair of small ones to go with the other fish I have/want?

Oh BTW it will be a planted tank and it has a sand substrate

Thanks

 

[ChilliPepper]

Any opinions on Bolivians/Germans/Blue Acaras would be great thanks

 

[Colin_T]

if you want angelfish then get rid of the Columbian red fin tetras because they are fin nippers.
Bolivian ram or normal rams are fine as are some of the Apistogramma dwarf cichlids, in particular Apistogramma cacatuaoides.

 

[ChilliPepper]

Yeah I am seriously thinking about swapping my tetras at my LFS.

If so I'd just have my two Opaline Gouramis who are a decent size - about 4-5cm and my Bulldog Pleco.

I'd like some Angels for definite - maybe 4? Also definitely getting some Corydoras - probably Pygmy unless any other fish I get would be likely to eat them, in which case I'd get some bigger ones.

I am quite drawn to the Acara and the Bolivians - could I have two of each?

The Apistogramma cacatuoides that you recommended look really nice - maybe a pair of them? Though would they be OK in my water PH 7.5?

 

[Colin_T]

Although blue acaras are pretty peaceful, I would be careful putting a pr of them in the tank with a pr of Bolivian rams. They might be ok if there is heaps of cover, (plants, wood, rock, etc). But if there isn't much shelter the Bolivian rams could get bashed.

If you want to keep the blue gouramis with tetras try to get female gouramis as they are less agro than males. Females have a shorter more rounded dorsal (top) fin, and the males will be longer and pointed. Both sexes grow to a similar size and have the same colour.

Pygmy cories are usually fine as long as no one tries to eat them. I don't know how big a bullnose pleco gets but it shouldn't worry them. Big angelfish might try to eat them, but if the angels are purchased when young and grown up with the cories, they should be fine together.

A. cacatuoides are fine in alkaline water as long as they aren't wild caught. In fact if you breed them in alkaline water you get more male offspring. This is good because they have more colour and the shops like them better than females. A pr of A. cacatuoides and a pr of Bolivian rams would be fine together in your tank.

 

[ChilliPepper]

Thanks Colin. Been discussing my options in Tropical Discussion as well.

Think I'm going to swap my Tetras, which will leave me with the 2 Opalines (both male unfortch!) and the Bulldog Pleco (won't get bigger than 6").

Undecided on whether I should get 2 or 4 Angelfish, but definitely get some Angels. Want 6 Corys too, maybe the bigger variety just to be sure, but they would be bought around the same time as the Angels.

Pretty sure I want one Blue Acara and a pair of either Bolivian or German Rams, but leaning more towards the Bolivian at the moment as they are a little hardier.

What else could I get? If I got a pair of Cockatoos as well would I have any room for anything else?

 

[Colin_T]

if you want a breeding pr of angelfish then get 6-10 small ones and grow them up together. then they will pair off and you can keep the pr/s you like and sell the rest.

Bolivian rams get bigger than German/ blue rams so would be a better choice if you plan on keeping a blue acara.
Having a pr of A. cacatoides and rams, and a blue acara might be pushing the territories a bit. Lots of hiding places would help but 2 is company and 3 might be a crowd. If you do want the 3 types of cichlid then get them all at the same time and try to get them similar sized. Then they can grow up together and hopefully they will be all right.

 

[ChilliPepper]

I'm definitely going to get a pair of Bolivians and an Acara as well as the Angelfish... Might get 4 small ones and see if I get a pair...

How would I sex the Bolivians? I've read Angels are hard to sex if they aren't breeding.

Does it matter whether I get a male or female Acara?

My tank has quite a few plants in it (though still immature), bogwood, rocks and 2 coconut caves. Would this be enough to establish territories do you think?

What about 4 Bolivians to try and get a pair?

Think 3 types of cichlid is enough in this size tank so will leave the cockatoos.... Just for future reference, if I wanted to get more than 3 types of cichlid (maybe a Texas or JD) what sort of size tank would you need?

Sorry - millions of questions!

 

[ALW]

First 3-5 spiny rays of male’s dorsal fine are elongated, and his tail is slightly lyre shaped. Being smaller than the male, the female lacks these features. Ask for a male and female ram when purchasing.

Shouldnt matter if the Acara is male or female, should have enought decoratives. I wouldnt add any more large Cichlids to the tank if i were you. Angels are extremely hard to sex so you would be best buying say 4-6 and then let a pair form the either sell or take them back to the LFS.

 

[ChilliPepper]

Thanks Andy

I'm not getting any more cichlids... Just wondered 'for the future'....

 

[ALW]

Happy to help