Should I Add Cichlids To My Community

[Fishyjake]

Well I have a 55 gallon and it is going to have 3 platys, 3 phantom tetras, 2 x ray tetras, 4 neon tetras, 1 cory, 3 bloodfin tetras, 1 danio(all these fish are around 2in or less), 2 angel fish(2-3in), and a red tailed shark(2 in).

My question is that I know most african cichlids are usually housed in one species aquariums, but I've heard some are peaceful. Is there any that would work well in the new 55 set up.

I have 2 other tanks, a 10gal and a 20gal, these are filled with the fish now and I'm going to move them to the 55.

If you think I need to seperate certain fish so that any new cichlids will work please let me know because the 20 and 10 will be empty and I could keep some of the fish I already have in them.

I am not set on anything thats going into the new tank so any ideas are appreciated and I really like the idea of having new cichlids that will coexist with my fish in the new tank.

If I am in the wrong section, possibly the new world cichlid section is correct, please move me? if thats possible or let me know so I can get more feedback, I'm new to the forum and am not sure.

I'll also try to get some pictures of the tank on here cause I'm pretty proud of my aquascaping.

 

[andy d]

To answer the title: No.

I would advise you keep your community tanks or 1 then have the 55g as a new set up. Dont just mix. Have alook at the pinned topics and choose something you like, can purchase locally and look after with out pushing your self.

 

[Fishyjake]

To answer the title: No.

I would advise you keep your community tanks or 1 then have the 55g as a new set up. Dont just mix. Have alook at the pinned topics and choose something you like, can purchase locally and look after with out pushing your self.

I've thought about that, i like the yellow lab cichlids, what do you think goes well with those?

 

[Bebobb]

I would look into rams for the 20 gallon. Or you could just keep the two communities, and have an species only 55 gallon. But I would put a pair, or maybe even a harem in a 20 gallon of rams. Or apistogramma. Not trying to make the New worlds look any better than they are, but that is the type of cichlid that I would go for If you really wanted a cichlid.

 

[Fishyjake]

I can't decide wether I want to start something new in the 55 or move them all too the 55, I got some sort of speacial substrate, only a little bit of it , that supposedly makes the water softer, this was from the friend I bought the tank from who knows what hes talking about, and it seems that cichlids prefer harder water so this could pose a problem...

If only I knew how to delete the post.

 

[Ashy_]

Yellow labs will kill and eat your other fish. definitely a species only tank for africans.

 

[andy d]

If only I knew how to delete the post.

HAHA, Been there!

Just keep your set ups and venture onto somethin new...

 

[dthoffsett]

Yellow labs will kill and eat your other fish. definitely a species only tank for africans.

Agreed, although they are labeled as peaceful, that is only by mbuna standards. Even semi-aggressive or aggressive "standard" community fish are no match for mbuna.
You would be much better off with one of the more peaceful New World cichlids or perhaps one of the African riverine species.

 

[Ashy_]

My gf thought it would be a good idea to cut down on my tanks and add my community fish to my mbuna tank. My Neon tetras and even a large ember barb didn't last very long

 

[Ferris]

A pair of Kribensis would be an option, still fairly aggressive but one of the only African cichlid species suitable for a community tank. As already mentioned - some of the smaller New World cichlids like Rams or Apisto's would also be a good choice.

 

[lalo99]

You already have cichlids. The angelfish are cichlids. As already suggested . Try SA dwarfs or african riverine dwarf cichlids. A pair at most. If teh angels pair up tehy will control most of the tank.