Dwarf Cichlids

[CluelessScot]

Hi all, i have a 45g tank with 3 Zebra Danios...

i am planing on adding a pair or more Dwarf Cichlids, Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid or some Kribensis?

I would like something which is interesting to watch, aint aggressive and easy to breed.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

Kev

 

[pica_nuttalli]

not kribs. mine become bigger terrors every time they breed.

 

[guppymonkey]

Kribensis would be fine in a 45 gallon tank. The only time people really have problems with them is when they overload tanks. The Kribs are really only mock chargers, they go to attack other fish but usually leave them alone. With any cichlids its important to make sure that they have enough room. Almost all cichlids are bottom dwellers so its not a good idea usually to try to throw a bunch of different kinds in a tank but most of the dwarf cichlids like Kribs, Rams and most of the Apistogrammas are pretty well behaved. They do get a little bit wild when they are breeding but not too bad usually. Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlids would work and they have great color if you get them from a good source. Another dwarf cichlid I would suggest would be Apistogramma agassizzii, I have a group of them and they are pretty well behaved (although I would only suggest one male and several females).

 

[pica_nuttalli]

i have to disagree. i had a 60g with a pair of kribs and about a dozen livebearers. one breeding season later, i had a pair of kribs and half a dozen livebearers. the kribs beat them to death.

if you want a breeding pair of dwarf cichlids with zero aggression, i cannot in good concience recommend kribs. the sturdier fish are doing ok, but the guppies didn't make it.

 

[-cAtFiSh-]

i think Bolivian Rams are meant to be pretty hardy. not sure how easy to breed though.
they are a relative of the German Blue Ram so they look fairly similar in body shape but their colours are different. its said to believe that they are also hardier than German Blues. although i have a German blue and i havent had any problems with him (i did have another one but he died from a fungal infection. i think its because i went a little bit slack on water changes and he was the one to suffer )

 

[Griz]

Any of the Apistogramma would work. They are beautiful and fascinating fish. Cockatoos and Borelli are considered some of the easier ones to start with. Some apistos are harem breeders wich would allow you to keep one male and 2-3 females. Quality varies quite a bit so if you are serious about breeding, I would take care to get good (and young) stock. There is quite a wide variety of species available on the net from good sources. Ask if you are interested.

Some other options for you are Checkerboard cichlids (Dicrossus filamentosus) or Keyhole cichlids.

I wonder about the danios, they may be pretty good at picking off fry.

 

[CluelessScot]

Well i have norrowed it down to:

Keyhole Cichlid
Bolivian Ram
Dwarf Cockatoo

i think i may go for the dwarf Cockatoo as i like how they soawn in a cave and defend the cave. That would be very interesting to see.

Do the Females all pick a cave each and the male watches over it? or is this only when breeding?
Which types of fish could i keep with the above fish, which are safe from/for these dwarf Cichlids?
Also do keyholes and Bolivian rams need 2~3 females per male too?

Thanks

Kev