Picking The Collected Minds Of Cichlophiles Out There

[triskele]

Just wanted to pick over the collected minds of all the cichlophiles out there <grins>

I’m in the process of redesigning the stocking of my Rio 400 (5 feet by 2 approx) and would like to add a pair (or harem) of cichlids to the tank. The tank is reasonably heavily planted and main water stats are pH 7.8, hardness is 16oGH. Tank is mature, over 2 years set-up.

The other planned inhabitants are (some already present):

6 Chain Loach
24 Amano Shrimp
10 Praecox Dwarf Rainbows
6 Torpedo Barbs
10 platies
2 Royal Whiptails
3 Queen Arrabesque Plecos
2 L183 White Seam Ancistrus
8 Green Lazer Cory’s

The criteria for the cichlids are as follows:

1) Will get on reasonably well with the above
2) Not an out and out digger, or dedicated vege muncher
3) Size wise, tops out at no more than 6 inches total length (or smaller if the amanos would start to look like a buffet)
4) Will happily live in the water stats posted above

So, what suggestions can you come up with ?

Secondly, during some of my research so far I’ve come across mention of Cyrptoheros sp. Honduran Redpoint and also Hemichromis lifalli or cristatus as being less aggressive than the common Convict/Juwel Cichlid respectively. Has anyone kept these in a community and if so could you comment on their behaviour/aggression levels ?

All the best,

Triskele.

 

[pica_nuttalli]

honestly, i personally think that any cichlid is likely to chow down on your shrimps. maybe some of the dwarf cichlids would work out, but i know my kribs simply devoured shrimps when they weren't even a full 2".

 

[Waterloo Kid]

I happen to have a Rio 400 with Amano shrimp and cichlids. I have Keyholes, Angelfish, Apistogramma and Biotodoma Cupido. None of these bother the shrimp.

WK

 

[-=Joel=-]

cichlids and shrimps on a whole DONT mix.

If you want somthing a little special get rid of your shrimps. However with what you have at present either a pair or two of dwarfs or a few angel fish.

Joel