Fish Compatibility.

[samanthajayne10]

Currently have a 170L freshwater tank with the following fish

Rasbora
Dwarf gourami
Panchax
Plecos
Clown loach
Freshwater crabs (non agressive they are only 1inch)

My tank is only 900long and 400wide so is a very tall tank.

I'm wanting to possibly get some red peacock cichlids or similar species with good colour.

Can anyone tell me what would be compatible with the above or what kind of combination I could have.
I've had enough of 'boring' fish and am wanting to go to the next level.
Was considering discus but I know these should be kept in a discus only tank. I would prefer a community tank.
Thanks in advance

 

[sawickib]

I dont what pleco but i would think you have a common pleco that can reach 24" and should be in very large tanks, maybe consider rehoming him and esp. if you have more than one, and instead getting a bristle nose pleco.

The clown loaches grow to be 16" and should be in a minimum of 150 gallons (567 liters) and groups of 6. So i suggest rehoming him to.

The panchax i think is a killifish that can be aggressive to some tank mates but i have no experience with them so i dont know.

I hope your rasboras are in a school of 6 or more for proper activity and less stress for them.

Idk about your crabs, if their fidelers then just make sure the tank is well oxygenated.

Discus prefer groups as well, and prestine water quality, and a tank of about id say 90 gallons (340liters) or more, they are compatiable with lots of the things if you have the room for tank mates.

Thats all i can add, i wouldnt suggest new tank mates till you get those sorted out.

 

[samanthajayne10]

The plecos are bristlenose. One is around 4 inches and the other just under 2 inches..
I have two clown loaches which are around 2 inches (used to have 4 but lost 2) . I understand that as these guys grow they will need to be rehomed. I knew that when purchasing them.
The rasbora are In school of four and seem very happy and healthy.
I have a male and female panchax, yes they are killifish. They don't bother any of their tank mates as they stick to the top and it's a very tall tank. Only problem I've had with them is the male likes to jump when I have the lid open doing water changes.

The tank is very well oxygenated for the crabs and they are able to get out of the water if they wish.
There is a cap around the top of my tank which is around 3 inches high above the water level. They have driftwood to climb up and out.

I'm thinking of steering clear of discuss until I have the room to set them up their own tank.

What kind of tank mates are ideal for peacocks?
I'd like to have my tank layered pretty well.

 

[sawickib]

Im sorry i just dont know why you would buy a fish when you know your going to just rehome them, kinda like renting them...

Since your tank is taller you have less foot print on the bottom so you cant really have that many more if any more bottom dwellers, maybe up your rasbora school to about 6-8.

I dont think peacocks are particularly aggressive so pretty much anything that wont harm it and can be safe with the other fish.

All i can add as of now, hopefully someone else can come along and provide more input.

 

[samanthajayne10]

The plan is eventually to have enough space to get a larger tank for them but otherwise rehoming is the next best option.
They take a long while to get to full size. I've had them for over 12 months now.

I'll look at adding some more rasbora.
Thanks for your help

 

[the_lock_man]

A few things I'd like to add.
 
1) I have a general rule of thumb about crabs and fish. FIns and pincers do not mix. IMO, it's a problem waiting to happen. Just because it hasn't yet doesn't mean to say it won't.
2) Red Peacock Cichlids. They are Malawi cichlids, and should really only be kept with other Malawi cichlids, in a specialist set up. THey are not suitable for a community tank.
3) I would suggest a nice big shoal of something reasonably mid-water, maybe Emperor Tetra, that'd look lovely. Or maybe Cardinal Tetra, or possibly a smaller shoal of Rosy Barbs.
 
I would also like to agree with the points about the clown loaches. By the time you realise that they need rehoming, the damage is already done.

 

[samanthajayne10]

Thanks for your input. I understand the crabs can nip but I honestly don't think it will happen. The crabs spend most of their day in rocks or out of the water and are not interested in the fish. I've had them for at least 12 months now with not one incident at all..
I'll look into some of your suggestions for other species.

I plan on getting the loaches a bigger tank or rehoming way before it is nessecary. I think once they get to around 4 inches is when I will move them. I don't plan on waiting till the last minute