Dwarf Cichlid Tank Stock Ideas

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DarkShadow435

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Hey everyone. I just started to convert my 55 gallon tank into a dwarf cichlid tank. Here's what i want to put in.

2 Blue Rams
4 Checkerboards
5 Zebra Danios *
6 Tiger Barbs *
(* i realize that these aren't cichlids, but i love them just the same.)

I was going to put in 3 cockatoo apistos, but when i saw the price i said forget it, even though i can get them largely discounted if i order through the company i work for.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I'd really like one more breed of dwarf cichlid, and/or possibly a bottom feeder/pleco/cory of some kind. Im kinda bummed about the apistos, cuz i think they're cool, Anyone have any ideas?
 
Depends whats available to you, Keyholes or Bolivian Rams are possibly the two other most common species that are available,
As for your checkerboard cichlids I think there is at least 2 different types of dwarf cichlid that is commonly sold as the checkerboard.

1. Crenicara punctulatum
2. Dicrossus filamentosus
 
try Pelvicachromis suboccelatus from Moanda. An absolutely stunning fish and quite nicely natured too.
The other thing could be Pelvicachromis taeniatus or Nannochroms transvestitus.

You won't get many young from your cichids should they breed. The tiger barbs will take whatever they can catch.
 
Thanks guys. I'll check those out. I had a thought while i was at one of my client's tanks. What about angel fish? think i could put an angelfish or two in with the dwarfs?
 
You could do an angelfish. You could also go with a pair of kribensis... beautiful fish!
If I were you I'd also make the 2 schools a little larger - maybe bump them up to 7-8 of each. In that size tank I think they'd do great. Also, just a suggestion, I would even consider just having one of those. I prefer the tiger barbs myself. I think you'll find that doing a large school of one kind will look much better. Again, though, just a suggestion.
 
You could do an angelfish. You could also go with a pair of kribensis... beautiful fish!
If I were you I'd also make the 2 schools a little larger - maybe bump them up to 7-8 of each. In that size tank I think they'd do great. Also, just a suggestion, I would even consider just having one of those. I prefer the tiger barbs myself. I think you'll find that doing a large school of one kind will look much better. Again, though, just a suggestion.

I agree with everything you said fishwatcher, especially the kribensis =)

I do have to say i HATE tiger barb's, but that is just me!Beside's, barbs dont do well with any dwaf cichlid as they are to fast and stressing. You should see the poor little dwarfs that come in over here,, they look like they want to jump out, as they are kept with the barb's. The kribs are kept with the Jewel Cichlids thoguh, as the barbs have killed the last batch to come in.
 
Pelvicachromis suboccelatus from Moanda is a type of kribensis. So is the taeniatus. But they are nicer looking than a common krib, especially the moanda subby.
 
I would say that Angelfish would be too slow moving and may get nipped at by the danios and barbs,
I also think that a type of kribensis would work better with your tankmates,
 
try Pelvicachromis suboccelatus from Moanda. An absolutely stunning fish and quite nicely natured too.
The other thing could be Pelvicachromis taeniatus or Nannochroms transvestitus.

You won't get many young from your cichids should they breed. The tiger barbs will take whatever they can catch.

This also would go under not mixing africans and south americans. Thanks for the imput tho!

Do you think i would be able to put an apple snail in with the dwarfs?
 

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