Shoals That Dwarf Cichlids Won't Eat?

Jay-93 · Dec 4, 2011

I'm wanting to add a shoal of around 15 fish to my tank, but I have Dwarf Cichlids in there also. Anyone got any recommendations of what fish could go in and not be hunted by the Dwarfs?

I want it to be a colourful shoal

KittyKat · Dec 4, 2011

What are the dimensions of the tank? What is the species of the dwarf cichlid? What is the layout like? What are the water parameters?

Provisionally, most tetras should be fine with most South American dwarf cichlids.

fluttermoth · Dec 4, 2011

What species are your dwarfs, and is your water hard or soft?

Jay-93 · Dec 4, 2011

Dimensions are 48"x15"x12".
Layout has bogwood running along the back with a few live plants dotted around (white silica sand substrate).

Male Opal
Female Red Line
Male Cockatoo (the one currently chasing my shoal of neons

)

In the process of adding Males/Females of these species to balance it out. Eg female Cockatoos and Opals and a Male Red Line.

Water is around 6.8 Ph.

Jay-93 · Dec 4, 2011

Correction: PH is around 6.5/6.6, sorry.

KittyKat · Dec 4, 2011

What are opals and red lines? I have never heard those common names before… I also wouldn't feel too confident going for three males and at least 4 females in a tank that size (again, does depend on species).

Once you get those groups up to the right numbers (pairs for pair cichlids, harems for the cockatoo and if needed for the others), they will leave the neons alone. Neons are a suitable species to keep with these cichlids in the long term, as would be cardinals, rummynosed tetras, black neons, blue tetras, lemon tetras, black skirt tetras, etc. Whichever fish you go for, I recommend at least 15 of one species and only one schooling species at all, with potentially up to 20-25 individuals.

Jay-93 · Dec 4, 2011

My Red Line is also known as a 'Fire Red'. It's Orange with a deep red/purple stripe running along the top of its body. My Opal Apistogramma had no Latin name at the LFS

.

So you'd recommend to get the opposing sex of each species to calm them down?

KittyKat · Dec 4, 2011

You really should research before you buy, for all you know, either one of those species could have been suicidal maniacs!

The "red line"/"fire red" one, is it an Apistogramma agassizi? These are also harem species, like cacatuoides.
The "opal" one, is it an Apistogramma borellii? This is a pair species.

I consider members of opposite sex compulsory for SA dwarfs because they are a social group of fish. When kept individually, these species tend to have slightly "artificial" behaviour.

So, if I got the species right, then in terms for numbers, A. cacatuoides do best in groups of 1m 2-3 f, A. agassizi in 1m 2-3f, A. borellii in 1m 1f. The question you should be asking yourself is "is there enough space in my tank for the three males to split the territory?" (this depends on the exact layout of decor) and "can these species cross breed, if they can, what will I do with the fry?".

Jay-93 · Dec 4, 2011

I should research, but the particular store I got my Apistogramma from is over 100 mile round trip, so it's expensive to think about, then go back and buy them

.

I've looked at the Borellii you mentioned, it looks very similar to this, just darker, but I'm pretty sure you're right.

I'll have to ask the fish store closer to me about ordering those fish in.

In terms of cross breeding, the Cockatoo has shown a big interest in the female, puffing gills, expanding the fins, etc.

Should nature take its course, I have two breeding tanks that can be attached to the inside of my tank

Thank you for all this help by the way, very much appreciated

KittyKat · Dec 4, 2011

Jay-93 said:
I should research, but the particular store I got my Apistogramma from is over 100 mile round trip, so it's expensive to think about, then go back and buy them .

What about calling them in advance and asking what they have in stock? Or taking some books on fish with you? Or asking to borrow the books at the store, while you're browsing? Or asking them if you can use their computer? Most of the LFS around me are happy with most of these.

Jay-93 said:
Should nature take its course, I have two breeding tanks that can be attached to the inside of my tank

..how will that help with cichlids? They are not as tolerant as livebearers and most definitely are not willing to be moved out of their territory! And what will you do with hybrids? Keep them until they die of old age? Kill them off so they never pollute the bloodlines? Sell them and risk contaminating the species? One of the parts of your research should have been "can these species hybridise"? I really strongly recommend that you go and research this now, because if they can, you need to be prepared for it in one way or another.

You should also read about compatibility between these three species, Apistogramma in general and multiple males in a tank that size. I suspect that you will have to make some layout changes for it to work in the long term.