Tank Mates?

[brandi_k1985]

Hello everyone. I just got 3 free fish yesterday. One is a 10-12in pleco, one 7in black knife fish, and a 4in convic cichlid or that what I think it is from looking at the discription. I currenty have them in a 29gal tank. I will be moving them to a 55gal after I get it set up. I had a 60 gal but that cracked and flooded the basement. I had put a post about it awhile back. Come to find out the stand was bowed and put to much pressure in the middle and caused it to crack. So I have to get the top fixed before I put the 55 gal on it. My question is, what other types of fish can I have with these guys? They will be in the 29gal for atleast 2 weeks, then moved to the 55gal. I want to get a few different kinds. I do want some angels if thats possible. I will get some live plants and there already is some decorations that the fish can hide in.

 

[bordercollie05]

I don't think you can put angels with those fish. However, you could have an angel in your 29 probably (if it's tall enough...i think they say 17"?) once you move out the other fish. I think that convict cichlids are african cichlids, so I believe you have to stick with other african cichlids. I really don't know anything about african cichlids beyond that so someone else will have to help there. Good Luck!

Laura

 

[Davo86]

I don't think you can put angels with those fish. However, you could have an angel in your 29 probably (if it's tall enough...i think they say 17"?) once you move out the other fish. I think that convict cichlids are african cichlids, so I believe you have to stick with other african cichlids. I really don't know anything about african cichlids beyond that so someone else will have to help there. Good Luck!

Laura

convicts are Central American cichlids

and even a 55USG will not be big enough for a BGK and a common pleco which i presume it is, both species will get to at least 18 inches,

In a tank that is suitably sized for the pleco and the BGK you could indeed keep Angels

I would add nothing else to the 29G, as you say its only going to be for 2 weeks, is there really a point in adding more?

 

[brandi_k1985]

Thanks for the information. My 29usg tank i believe is 18in high. I could do that with the angels then. The guy I got the fish from had them in a 180USG tank. He said the pleco and BKF should be fine in the 55. Thats why I got them. He aslo had a black shark but he said that it was way to big for my tank. It was about 15 in long. How big will the pleco and bnk be, to be to big for the 55?
Davo86, I dont have to get any more fish right now, I can wait 2 more weeks. I finally got a tank back up and going so I guess Im just excited to get more fish. I almost got some last night, but thought I would check to see what would be good tank mates. Ive always had livebarers and the smaller fish. Thanks again for the information. Any more would be great!

 

[Davo86]

what are the dimensions of the 55G ?

if the height or width isnt at least 4 inches longer than the pleco and BGK then they need upgrading,
I would personally be prepared to keep them in the 55 for 4-6months max provided the tank is at least 15/16inches high and wide

most species above 4 inches in size should be ok with them, (smaller fish will get eaten by the BGK or the convict

A single convict should be ok in this setup although if you were ever to add a mate for it you would be asking for trouble as the 'Pair' will become highly aggressive.

 

[brandi_k1985]

The 55gal is 48 longx20 highx12 deep in inches. I think the BKF should be ok for a while unless he grows really fast since hes only 6 inches. Can I have any fish thats over 4in or should I stay in the cichlid family? I read convics are easy to breed so I wont get another one. Should I stay away form getting pairs of the same cichlid and get a few different kinds? Also can you mix cichlids with oscars? I was going to ask the people at petsmart but some of them dont know anything about fish. I hope you dont mind me asking a bunch of questions. Thanks

 

[Davo86]

The 55gal is 48 longx20 highx12 deep in inches. I think the BKF should be ok for a while unless he grows really fast since hes only 6 inches.

the width of the tank is your main issue as you say the pleco is already 10-12 inches and will only get bigger,

Can I have any fish thats over 4in or should I stay in the cichlid family? I read convics are easy to breed so I wont get another one. Should I stay away form getting pairs of the same cichlid and get a few different kinds?

Yes you can add other species, Cichlids are best kept singularly but other species can be kept in their required format,
Large Gouramis, such as three-spots, Pearls and moonlight should be fine, as would other cichlids such as Firemouths, Angels, and catfish such as hoplos

Also can you mix cichlids with oscars? I was going to ask the people at petsmart but some of them dont know anything about fish.

Oscars are cichlids, but they get to 12-14 inches and grow incredibly quickly, With tankmates an Oscar would need a minimum of a 75USG

I hope you dont mind me asking a bunch of questions. Thanks

your welcome

 

[pippoodle]

Hello everyone. I just got 3 free fish yesterday. One is a 10-12in pleco, one 7in black knife fish, and a 4in convic cichlid or that what I think it is from looking at the discription. I currenty have them in a 29gal tank. I will be moving them to a 55gal after I get it set up. I had a 60 gal but that cracked and flooded the basement. I had put a post about it awhile back. Come to find out the stand was bowed and put to much pressure in the middle and caused it to crack. So I have to get the top fixed before I put the 55 gal on it. My question is, what other types of fish can I have with these guys? They will be in the 29gal for atleast 2 weeks, then moved to the 55gal. I want to get a few different kinds. I do want some angels if thats possible. I will get some live plants and there already is some decorations that the fish can hide in.

the bgk will quickly become deformed if kept in a small tank too long - their bodies become bent in having to bend toturn around so much, it will also become stunted which will cause the fish a lot of pain - its organs grow at proper rate but its body does not
the minimum tank is at least 400- litres

i would try and rehome him while you can cos you will find it harder to rehome him when he is larger

good luck with the fish

Sarah xx

 

[brandi_k1985]

Thanks alot. I will wait to get any more tank mates till I get the 55ug set up. I may be getting another tank. I have no idea what size. I think its larger than a 29gal. Its a flat back hex kind. It is wide so I could possibly fit the pleco better. Im happy to hear that i can have angels. Ive always thought they were cool looking fish. I never new cichlids and oscars are the same, get much larger. Thats good to know. I will stay away from them. Thanks for your help. Im sure I might have more questions soon. I will def. keep coming back to this site. Once I get everything set up with new fish I will post some pictures.