Firemouth Tankmates

[als814]

I was wondering if anyone could recommend suitable tankmates for 2-3 Firemouth Cichlids that I would put in my 37 gallon. It is the same length and width as a 29, but it is 22 or 24 inches high instead of 18.

 

[RadaR]

With Cichlids, the length of the tank is more important than the height.
You could have some Danios or Ive seen Swordtails kept with Firemouths in harmony (except when breeding). Robust Tetras like Black Widows/Black Skirts could work. Dwarf Cichlids get along with them too. So do Severums but I think your tank is too small for them.

 

[RipSlider]

Apologies for hijacking the thread in advanc, but do you think they could co-exist with black widow and lemon tetra's, a bristle nose, some corys and some kuhulie loach in a 600L tank?

Or do you believe the risks of what MIGHT happen are too great to risk it?

Steve

 

[RadaR]

It looks OK, the Corys might be at risk, so might be the Lemon Tetras but everything else looks good. I suppose you could try it and then see how the Firemouths are behaving. In my experience some Firemouths differ, some are very peaceful while others aren't.

 

[als814]

Any particular dwarf cichlids you would recommend? I think rams might be a little small and probably wouldn't do well in a new tank set up anyway. It would be especially helpful to find some that are really common because the lfs's around me don't seem to stock a lot of cichlids.

 

[RadaR]

Your right about the Rams in that the water might be different, they might be OK size wise.
I was originally thinking of a number of fish (not all together in the tank). Firstly, Agassizi's dwarf cichlid Apistogramma agassizii which would work if your Firemouths are of the peaceful kind (some are nasty and some are fine). Also Keyhole Cichlids Cleithracara maronii which grow bigger than Apistos, about 4". I was also thinking if it would be possible to pull off Kribs Pelvicachromis pulcher as they are much more similar in temperament though they are a risk to your Firemouths if/when they breed and likewise with the Firemouths being aggro to the Kribs. They are all common.

 

[als814]

Would cory's work then as well?

 

[stan1979]

i have four cories in with m/f firemouths and they sometimes get hassle off the fm after feeding when the fms are scouring the gravel for leftovers, the ram i also have sometimes gets chased too. dont think lemon tetras will last long though

 

[england]

ive had my firemouths in my tank with 3 black phantom tetras/2 platys/1zebra danio which all get along fine..........when i got a tank of my friend i put them in there with red tailed shark n kribs but instant aggrestion