Kribs and rams

[DonC]

Hi
Not sure if I am posting in the right forum “ HOPEFULLY “
l have a 29G and was wondering if either a single male krib or pair would work with a single male Bolivian ram or pair. Tank is heavily aquascaped with two sets of multiple caves on both sides of tank and a large center cluster of driftwood that totally blocks view from one side to the other. I was also looking to put in two species of dither fish six each what are my chances of this working.

 

[Byron]

The answer is unfortunately no on the two species of cichlid. The male of either species will consider the entire tank "his" and with no where to run, the other will slowly weaken and most likely die. I had a male Bolivian Ram in a 5-foot 115g tank with some 150 other fish, and he was fine but he clearly considered the entire space as his territory.

There is more to territory than visual aquascaping. Fish communicate by chemicals called pheromones (read by others in that species) and allomones (read by other species), and these spread throughout the tank and can be as disruptive and threatening as any physical contact.

A solitary Bolivian will be fine (and very happy) in a 29g, and you can have dither fish that are peaceful with no problem. As for a "pair," this species must select each other and bond. Even that sometimes end in "divorce," but if they have chosen each other from a group they are more likely to remain in harmony.

 

[DonC]

The answer is unfortunately no on the two species of cichlid. The male of either species will consider the entire tank "his" and with no where to run, the other will slowly weaken and most likely die. I had a male Bolivian Ram in a 5-foot 115g tank with some 150 other fish, and he was fine but he clearly considered the entire space as his territory.

There is more to territory than visual aquascaping. Fish communicate by chemicals called pheromones (read by others in that species) and allomones (read by other species), and these spread throughout the tank and can be as disruptive and threatening as any physical contact.

A solitary Bolivian will be fine (and very happy) in a 29g, and you can have dither fish that are peaceful with no problem. As for a "pair," this species must select each other and bond. Even that sometimes end in "divorce," but if they have chosen each other from a group they are more likely to remain in harmony.

How about kribensis which I lean more too
a m/f pair

 

[GaryE]

It would be a good set up, but there will be young...

The greatest show in fishkeeping, but it does leave you with a crowd of young.

 

[Byron]

How about kribensis which I lean more too
a m/f pair

I will leave that specific to one of our members with considerably more experience with the species, I think @Uberhoust is one, there is another but I'm not remembering who. They may see this thread. @GaryE is already here.

 

[DonC]

It would be a good set up, but there will be young...

The greatest show in fishkeeping, but it does leave you with a crowd of young.

I l know and the Kribs are my favorite and thats what I had intentions on going with. I am not looking to breed but if it happens I will have to figure it out. then I was thinking l would love to add another pair of peaceful dwarf cichlids but I kinda know it won’t work. I want to add 6 tiger barbs and 6 zebra danios as well. I want them more as tank mates rather than dither fish.

 

[GaryE]

I am a bit of a kribangelist. I think everyone should keep P. pulcher at least several times. The broodcare is really a good entry dru, I mean a spectacle that can get you into the wonderful world of river Cichlid breeding.

 

[DonC]

I am a bit of a kribangelist. I think everyone should keep P. pulcher at least several times. The broodcare is really a good entry dru, I mean a spectacle that can get you into the wonderful world of river Cichlid breeding.

I agree thanks for the info !

 

[Byron]

For your dither fish, keep in mind that species which are shoaling/schooling need groups around 10 or more; fewer is likely to cause stress leading to aggressiveness even among "peaceful" fish. You mentioned Tiger Barbs and Zebra danios, the latter needs 10+ but the tiger barbs need 15+ and they would be it in a tank this size, it is minimum for this species. I would not consider the danios though because of their activity level. Dwarf cichlids are very sedate fish. Dithers should be compatible. Putting a community together does take some deep thinking.

 

[DonC]

For your dither fish, keep in mind that species which are shoaling/schooling need groups around 10 or more; fewer is likely to cause stress leading to aggressiveness even among "peaceful" fish. You mentioned Tiger Barbs and Zebra danios, the latter needs 10+ but the tiger barbs need 15+ and they would be it in a tank this size, it is minimum for this species. I would not consider the danios though because of their activity level. Dwarf cichlids are very sedate fish. Dithers should be compatible. Putting a community together does take some deep thinking.

Thanks for the heads up.
What 2 species would you recommend ?

 

[GaryE]

One addition. I have a lot of experience with Pelvicachromis species, including both the hobby krib (P pulcher) and the 'real' uncommon P kribensis. I have bred and raised a lot of fish from the group.

With the common krib, be aware they grow larger than most dwarfs. They are small in their ways, as long as you know they have 3m square territories in nature.

Tiger barbs get big in a 29. I'd consider something smaller.

 

[Byron]

Thanks for the heads up.
What 2 species would you recommend ?

Welcome. Before I start suggesting species, what are the water parameters, referring primarily to GH and pH? The temperature we can consider suited to the cichlid and match. But is it now going to be the krib? Gary mentioned their size and territory, and I personally would not put this fish in this small a tank.

 

[DonC]

Welcome. Before I start suggesting species, what are the water parameters, referring primarily to GH and pH? The temperature we can consider suited to the cichlid and match. But is it now going to be the krib? Gary mentioned their size and territory, and I personally would not put this fish in this small a tank.

Ph 7.0 gh 9

 

[DonC]

Ph 7.0 gh 9

Would 2 Kribs and 1 species of dither work better?

 

[Uberhoust]

I think @Uberhoust is one

Sorry all, I really don't know about these fish. Had some success with Rams, but was never my main interest.