Other Medium Cichlids With Angels?

[KathyM]

Hi you lot

I'm looking at adding to these fish:

2 angels
2 bolivian rams (pair)
5 penguin tetras
7 cories
3 plecs (gibby, royal, BN)

As I'm upgrading to a much larger tank (6 x 2 x 2), I was thinking of maybe adding one or two medium sized cichlids, as long as they're peaceful enough?

I was advised on another thread that Rainbow Cichlids (Herotilapia Multispinosa) can live alongside all of the above. On reading further into them, the info seems to say you can even keep a pair as they're not very aggressive even when spawning?

Whether or not that's true, I was wondering if there were any similar sized cichlids that would live peacefully with the above? I'm aware of the smaller cichlids like apistogrammas/rams/what-have-you, it's the slightly larger ones I'm trying to find out about.

Thanks

Kathy

 

[jayjay]

i'd say rainbow cichlids would work well.

festivums could work i think maybe.

 

[Dwarfs]

That is a good sized tank, have you ever thought about Uaru? They get to about a foot long, and are very peaceful. Although, depending on the size of the penguin tetras an Uaru may cause problems (They are supposedly able to be kept with tetras and dwarf cichlids, but I have not tried that with mine yet).

Rainbow cichlids are nice, they get to about 4", but if you buy a pair then they will breed and make life hard on their tankmates. With a pair of rainbows, you just have to add water, and eggs will appear

Geophagus would also be great additions to that tank if you decide to make the substrate sand or very fine gravel

I have actually written articles on these fish
Rainbow Cichlid
Surinam Geophagus (Info can be generally used for most Geophagus)
Uaru


HTH

 

[KathyM]

Thanks very much both of you!

Dwarfs - I'll look at those reviews you write, thanks

 

[KathyM]

Right, managed to have a sit and read of those reviews - thanks

The Uarus are sadly a no for us as we have a planted tank. But I'm very tempted with going ahead with a rainbow and possibly a geophagus of some sorts?

 

[KathyM]

Been having a look at what I can get and I've found Geophagus sp. "Tapajos Orange Head". Would one of these be suitable? And if so what is a good price for a young fish? Would you recommend more than one or just a single specimen?

Sorry for all the questions!

 

[KathyM]

Does anyone know if Geophagus sp "Tapajos Orange Head" can be kept singly (happily)?

 

[KathyM]

OK I've had some help off someone who's owned these on another forum - they're not suitable for keeping alone. Never mind

 

[-=Joel=-]

If you can get hold of geo heckili they are great fish !!

I have a pair with angels, firemouths and tetras in a 40gallon.

Joel

 

[KathyM]

Thanks - how do they react to the others when spawning? That's the reason I was warned off Geos. Sorry to ask so many questions!

 

[KathyM]

Anyone?

 

[-=Joel=-]

In a 6 x 2 you wont have ANY problems with any small geo species when breeding. Maybe in a 50 or smaller but not one your size Lol.

Joel

 

[blue acara]

Have a think about t-bar or keyhole cichlids they are quite small, below 6 inch and are peaceful (and they look great) like all cichlids they can be aggressive when spawning but in a 6 foot tank they should be fine

 

[KathyM]

Thank you very much!

So really it would be better to get a pair of for example:

Geo (say a species that grows up to 5-6")
Keyhole (was thinking of one but if happier in a pair would do that?)
Rainbow (too aggressive as a pair?)

Obviously not *all* of them