Peacocks

[Fishplanet7]

I really want to keep some Peacock cichlids, but am aware that my 35 gallon tank is not the most favourable for them, but I want to try a few anyway.
If I had 6 assorted male fish do you think it would be ok.
The tank is 32" long x 16" wide x 20" tall.
Any advice would be helpful.
Many thanks

 

[PorshaF]

Maybe you would have better luck with more female to male ratio to disperse aggression. I think peacocks get around 6 or 7 inches though and would thrive in a 60gl in that case. Are you planning on getting very small ones to start and grow them out until you get a bigger tank cycled? I think it may work that way, if your 35 is heavily planted and has lots of caves/hides and tall plants to break line of sight in case a fish is being bullied. Otherwise if they're already larger fish I would say maybe start with a pair until you get a bigger home established for a species tank or community with them

 

[Fishplanet7]

Hi thanks for the reply,
I was thinking of small fish to grow on, but I know that is difficult to always tell male from female when small, as I ideally want all male fish for the colouration, and I certainly don't want to breed them. as I wouldn't know how to rear them.
Any thoughts on what type to start with even if I have only 4 fish?

 

[Colin_T]

The tank isn't really long enough for adult peacock cichlids (Aulonocara species). You could put 3 or 4 baby fish in there but they will need a bigger tank when they mature.

The minimum size tank for a couple of peacock cichlids is 3 foot long.

Tanks that are long and wide are better for fish because they have a bigger surface area than tall narrow tanks.

 

[Fishplanet7]

The tank isn't really long enough for adult peacock cichlids (Aulonocara species). You could put 3 or 4 baby fish in there but they will need a bigger tank when they mature.

The minimum size tank for a couple of peacock cichlids is 3 foot long.

Tanks that are long and wide are better for fish because they have a bigger surface area than tall narrow tanks.

That seems good information, there is no point in rearing the fish and having to move them on when at their best.
I think you have made my mind up and will look at keeping some rams, which are just as colourful and maybe more suited to my tank size.
I can also then have a few black corys which I think are stunning little fish.
Thanks again.

 

[Wills]

That seems good information, there is no point in rearing the fish and having to move them on when at their best.
I think you have made my mind up and will look at keeping some rams, which are just as colourful and maybe more suited to my tank size.
I can also then have a few black corys which I think are stunning little fish.
Thanks again.

Have you considered lake tanganyka? Some awesome small cichlids from there that half work in here things like ocelatus gold would make a good colony many be with some compreciceps? You may be able to keep a group of the smallest cypochromis with them too.

 

[Colin_T]

If you want Corydoras, then there might be problems if/ when the cichlids breed. Basically the cichlids will consider the bottom of the tank as their territory and could attack other fish (the Corydoras).

If you want other fish in the tank, look at fish that live in the upper half, like small gouramis, pencilfish, hatchetfish or killifish.

If you don't want rams, you could get a pair of Apistogramma, Nanochromis, Pelvicachromis or Nanocara cichlids instead. These are all soft water species.

Wills mentioned small hard water species (Cyprichromis leptosoma, Lamprologus sp, small Julidochromis sp) from Lake Tanganyika. The Egyptan mouthbrooder cichlid (Pseudocrenilabrus multicolor) would also work.

Depending on what the GH and pH of your tap water is, will determine which group of fish you should keep. However, you can adjust and modify the pH, GH and KH if you need to.