Dwarf Cichlid Suggestions?

[Kuhni]

I have a 20G Community with: 5 serpae tetras, 5 cardinal tetras, 5 glowlight tetras a bristle nose and a Corydoras Trilineatus. I want to get a couple dwarf cichlids and bring back my serpaes to the LFS.
My Tank is 24" by 12" 18" I think(well 80L).

1.Any Suggestions for what cichlid I would be after?
2. Should I get a pair, a male, a female or 2 females or other?
3. Are there any problems that could arise between my fish with the introduction of a couple cichlids?

 

[kev_kb]

Personally I'd buy another 5 Corys instead as you shouldn't keep them singly.

As far as dwarfs goes Cockatoos would be good (Apistogrammas), they are other types of Apistos to consider also. If you got 1 male and 2 females and gave them 5 caves you could attempt to spawn them, they are a really interesting little fish.

 

[Kuhni]

I was planning to add 3-4 more Trilineatus first. then a week or so later. 2 Apistos or 2 rams?

 

[grayboy1]

you could have apistos or rams. id go with some apistos since they are a touch smaller

 

[Griz]

A pair or trio of Apistos would be a good choice. The species you get will or course depend on what's available to you. Of the more commonly found species, Cockatoos tend to do better in a trio and Borelli do well as a pair.

Dicrossus or Checkerboard cichlid is another interesting option. Can be difficult to find though.

 

[ox5477]

Im gonna be the one guy on every thread who says this and say, just hold off on the cichlids. Yes they're cool and would make a wonderful addition to your nice community tank, but I think your getting a little close to the tank's limit, and the cichlids would put you over or atleast put you closer to the limit than you want to be. You already have a pretty healthy stock, and with adding 3 or 4 more corys, your put more in. So, im just saying from my experience and seeing my beginner mistakes, I would prob leave the cichlids out, expecially when the pair goes to mate, as they might start terrorizing your community and maybe even hurt some other fish. I just have learned to not push the boundaries of tank limitations. But, maybe im just being a scared old lady about this, I dont know, take my advice how you will.

 

[jtnova13]

is the tank planted? could maybe squeeze the cichlids in a planted tank. but as ox said, dont really want to "squeeze" anything into a tank

 

[Griz]

I agree with that advice, if you are going to add 4 more cories. If not, and you get rid of the serpaes like you stated, I think you have room for a pair of dwarf cichlids.

 

[Silverlady]

Don't forget even a pair of Dwarf Cichlids will defend a territory of at least a Foot all around the nest site , when Breeding.
I have just found this out when my pair of Anomalochromis Thomasi decided to set up home on an Anubia leaf slap bang in the middle of my 50 gallon tank.Even my pair of Angel's were chased away.

 

[Kuhni]

could getting 2 females be a solution to the territorial instincts as they can't find a pair?

 

[ox5477]

That would solve the issue of territorial dispute but that wouldn't be very good for the fish as they would prefer to be in a mating pair so that would make ytour fish happier. I would recommend the mating pair and make the sacrifice somewhere else in your tank either with other stock or buy a bigger tank if you can't depart from any of your fish

 

[kribensis12]

I wouldnt worry about the borelli because mine are scared of just about anything and they have never had a territory with any of my kribs,brichardi,crayfish,and yello labs.

 

[Griz]

Not surprising considering the mix of tankmates; none of those fish are appropriate mates for apistos. Unless your tank is very large, I can't see them surviving, much less thriving.

Like any Apistogramma, Borelli can be territorial when breeding but generally don't do harm to tankmates as long as they are well chosen and there is enough space and structure in the tank