Need some suggestions plz

[AmberC]

Frontosa or Cyphotilapia frontosa

what would make good tankmates? I read that Cyphotilapia frontosa are generally not agressive and are good peacemakers. If anyone can give me some suggestions it would be great!

 

[Ben]

A bunch of Black Calvus might work
My LFS has a bunch of Lemon Cichlid(i think that's what they're called) in with them in their Frontosa display tank, looks magical

DD

 

[AmberC]

Thanks I'll look into them!

 

[freddyk]

Anything that is not overly active and not small enough to eat will work out fine, just make sure you decorate appropriately.

Calvus will work because they are a calm and slow moving fish as well. Keep in mind though that they will need rockwork that will take up swimming space for the Frontosa. Frontosa can be clumsy, and if spooked can hurt themselves if there is too much decoration in the tank. Also that Calvus grow very, very, very slowly, so getting them on the larger side is a good idea. The 'lemon cichlid', which I am going to reason out is probably Neo. Leleupi, stands a very good chance of eventually becoming lunch to Frontosa(they have been known to consume fish up to half their length).

My personal opinion is that if you haven't kept Frontosa before try a small colony as a species tank in which they can be catored to. They are fabulous fish on their own and don't need a mix mash of other species to create a stunning display.

 

[AmberC]

Thanks Fred.. See my problem is (or was) that I didn't know what I wanted to put in the tank when I got it. (We ordered a 125 from my lfs for my 24th bday recently) Anyways. I've been searching and going over tons of possibilities because I've got a lot with that much space. I dont really want to put anything small in the tank because I'd have to do a LOT to fill it up yk? The tank is mine, but my husband says he would like to see 'variety' in the tank and not just one species. Granted my husband doesn't know much about fish or how nice a species only can be... he just says he wants to see more than one type of fish Ultimately the decision is mine and he knows it. I saw the frontosas in the lfs and pretty much went head over heels.. and then after a little research.. fell in

I still haven't made a definite decision on what I"m going to do with the tank. I've never done africans, but have done new worlds, puffers, bettas, and some others. I just thought I'd see what you guys thought about tankmates and do some more research and see if there was anything I wanted to put in with frontosa. Just trying to keep some options open you know?

If you guys have any other ideas for what I can do with the 125 they'd be appreciated. Its funny how before I had the tank I said Oh I can do this and this and this.. but now that I have it... I have NOOOOO idea what I want to do with it!!!!

 

[freddyk]

Yeah, in some ways smaller tanks are easier because it limits your options. For variety nothing beats African Haplichromines from lake Malawi. There are many very colorful ones to choose from, and as long as you choose larger and more peaceful varieties there's no reason you can't mix a Frontosa or three in with them. Copadichromis is a prime example of the perfect hap tankmate.

 

[AmberC]

Thanks.. I'll take a look at them.