Quick Compatability Question!

[Dazzler666]

I have a 5ftx2ftx18" tank with 12 tigers, 9 lemon tetras, 6 beacon tetras, 6 harlequin rasboras & 2 BNP at the moment.
I really like Bolivian rams, Leon's & apistos. Now from a another thread I understand that bolivians & Kevin's will go however will apistos & Kribs go? I'm aware they ate both territorial bottom dwellers and need
Plenty of caves/hiding spots hence if I put caves at each end & in the middle of my tank will this enough to ease territorial issues between both species?
I know I'm Probly just been greedy but I really can't decide on which I would prefer hence, would love both!!!! Lol.
Any advice greatly appreciated.
Darryl

 

[KkAaNnEe]

Yeah it should be fine, but apistos are sensitve and need softer water than kribs so that would depend on your water

 

[onidrase]

Imo avoid the kribs. They're much more brawny and territorial than the other dwarf cichlids you have/want to have. Plenty of capability to beat on your other fishes, especially if they breed.

You could give it a go, but it's advisable to have much more decoration than just "a cave on both ends and the middle of the tank" in which you'd be following a theory that they won't really swim away from their sides of the tank, in which a tank divider would be much more sufficient in taking care of that.

I believe somebody on this forum has a pair of kribensis that holds their own with a green terror, which is much more brawny not to mention 5x the size of a wimpy little apisto or bolivian ram.

 

[thereverendturtle]

Skip the Kribs. This may be a stupid question, what are Leon's and Kevin's?

 

[KkAaNnEe]

Apistos are not whimpy and are just as aggressive when breeding!

 

[Dazzler666]

Thanks for the replies all. Apologies, it was meant to say kribs! This damned I-phone predictive text. It may as well write its own text as it seems to bare no reflection to mine!!!! Think I will post a thread .... How to turn off predictive text on I-phone!!!
Anyway, yes I was wondering if kribs & apistos & rams can go together along with my barbs, etc? I'm getting the feeling that I may have to skip the rams. The tank will be densely planted, I have various other ornaments that will help 'break up the line of sight, etc' though just don't know how/if they would get along. I do appreciate they won't just stay in there own little space but from reading I understand they need their OWN space as so to speak.
Again, much appreciate the advice as obviously I don't want an aggressive tank & I'm new to the cichlid route.
Thanks again

Thanks for the replies all. Apologies, it was meant to say kribs! This damned I-phone predictive text. It may as well write its own text as it seems to bare no reflection to mine!!!! Think I will post a thread .... How to turn off predictive text on I-phone!!!
Anyway, yes I was wondering if kribs & apistos & rams can go together along with my barbs, etc? I'm getting the feeling that I may have to skip the kribs. The tank will be densely planted, I have various other ornaments that will help 'break up the line of sight, etc' though just don't know how/if they would get along. I do appreciate they won't just stay in there own little space but from reading I understand they need their OWN space as so to speak.
Again, much appreciate the advice as obviously I don't want an aggressive tank & I'm new to the cichlid route.
Thanks again

 

[thereverendturtle]

No worries. Although I think you would be better off with a group of 4-6 Bolivian rams and a trio of one type of apisto. Kribs are very unpredictable as far as their tolerance of other fish go. They can be fine and dandy for quite some time and the kill or bet down another fish, for no apparent reason.

Edit: there are other dwarfs with lots of color that could also go in the mix, laetacara, krobia, nanacara, just to name a few other families.

 

[onidrase]

Apistos are not whimpy and are just as aggressive when breeding!

apistos have always looked and acted rather frail in my tanks. It's like how angelfish can be rather aggressive, but due to their frail body frame they wouldn't stand a chance against another similar sized cichlid like a convict or firemouth if they were to battle it out. I had a pair of kribensis briefly that beat on my old firemouth like a fun game. I don't think a little apisto would be able to stick up to those little punks. Apistos and rams would be fine together though, no doubt.

 

[KkAaNnEe]

Yeah I understand. I really can't see them battling it out though, not in a five foot tank anyway, plenty of room I woud say. My kribs only ever chase my barbs away not actially fight them

 

[Dazzler666]

Much appreciate the advixe & tips all! . Think i may pass on tje krins now, mainly it would seem due to there unpredictability & potential for chaos!!!
How about maybe a hareem of apistos ( possibly 1male, 3-4 females). Will apistos be ok with BNP's? Liking 4-6 Bolivians!!
Will take a look at the other suggestions before i purchase as i want to leave my tank settle for a Month or two before i purchase in order to see where my tank peramiters settle.
Again, greatly appreciate the advice all!!

 

[thereverendturtle]

Yeah, a harem of apistos would do well.

 

[Dazzler666]

Well ive now got 12 tigers (4 tiger, 4 green & 4 albino), 20 harlequin rasboras, 9 lemon tetras, 6 beacon tetras, 3 dalmation mollies (1 being a sail fin) & 2 BNP .
Am now thinking a school of around 20 either cardinal or neon tetras, hareem of apistos and 6 rams (either bolivian or GBR/EBR water depending)!!!
Least my new tank looks like there is some fish in it now!! Lol.
Again, appreciate all the tips & advice all

 

[onidrase]

Well ive now got 12 tigers (4 tiger, 4 green & 4 albino), 20 harlequin rasboras, 9 lemon tetras, 6 beacon tetras, 3 dalmation mollies (1 being a sail fin) & 2 BNP .
Am now thinking a school of around 20 either cardinal or neon tetras, hareem of apistos and 6 rams (either bolivian or GBR/EBR water depending)!!!
Least my new tank looks like there is some fish in it now!! Lol.
Again, appreciate all the tips & advice all

Blue rams are going to prefer different water perimeters than the other fish, especially the mollies. bolivians would be fine though. I'm not sure how many apistos is in a harem, but I'd probably only do a trio with the current stock. Also watch those tiger barbs, they can be monsters. They might eat at neon tetras too.