New To Cichlids

[shane87]

hey im pretty new to keeping fish and never new about cichlids at all when i started about 5month ago, iv got 2 swordtails 4neons (some have died leaving 4), 5 corys, 4 marble hatchets, 1 hypostomus cochilodon, i did have a krib but it was constantly chasing everything around my tank, i now have got 4 keyholes and was wondering what other dwarf cichlids make good community tank mates,

tank size - 200litres, few live plants, a slate/stone homemade bridge thing lol, ph 7.0

iv seen a bolivian ram which looks gorgeous but dont no what dwarfs go with what as my krib hated the keyholes with vengence lol

any help wil be much appreciated thanks

 

[shane87]

oh and i keep the tak around 25-27 ...dont no what that is in farenheit lol

 

[Davo86]

I'd be looking at a pair of Bolivian Rams, Apisto Cacatuoides, Apisto Borelli or trio of Dicrossus filamentosus.

These are all SA dwarf cichlids and should cohabit well with your current tankmates,
Kribensis are an african species and can often be problematic when kept with the slightly more peaceful SA dwarfs

 

[shane87]

do they need to be kept in pairs as the lfs only has one bolivian ram left...........also a quick question i recently put 2 keyholes in on saturday and another 2 today...my tank has 2 filters internal and external...would it be alright to add 2day ... or wait a few days?

 

[Davo86]

do they need to be kept in pairs as the lfs only has one bolivian ram left

Ideally yes I would keep them in pairs, although they do not necessarily have to be purchased at the same time

 

[M.R Otter]

Welcome to the world of Aquarium Fish.

With having all of those Cichlids in one tank..... You will need a lots of hiding places like PVC pipes, caves or bogwoods........ and also lets not forget the water changes, wich is an important thing in keeping your tank Clean, healthy and making most of the fishes Thrive, it is also reported that most fishes will Spawn/Breed right after the water changes!!

 

[shane87]

thanks for the advice ..... i do weekly 20% water changes with gravel vacuumin