What Are Dithers? And Why Have Them?

[fishnovice]

I was advised to get some dithers to keep my male cichlid company. Convicts are aggressive and he's 3 inches long -surely he will kill and maybe eat much smaller tetra?

 

[rdd1952]

Dither fish are usually schooling fish such as danios, barbs or some tetras and are used to reduce the shyness of some cichlids.

 

[OldMan47]

A dither is simply a fish that is comfortable swimming out in the open. I have used platies as dithers for kribensis because without fish swimming around in the open the kribs hid all day long. With a dither, the shy and reclusive fish, usually a cichlid, will see that it is safe to swim in the open. It is best to use a dither that is safe with the fish that you are trying to draw into the open.

 

[fishnovice]

Dither fish are usually schooling fish such as danios, barbs or some tetras and are used to reduce the shyness of some cichlids.

Shy cichlids??? Thought they were all aggressive bullies! Won't those poor tetras and danios get eaten by much bigger cichlids? Mine attached fish 5 times his size when he had fry to protect.

 

[fishnovice]

Dither fish are usually schooling fish such as danios, barbs or some tetras and are used to reduce the shyness of some cichlids.

Would like to get some neon and cardinal tetra in that case.
1. Will they be OK with a 3inch male convict ,currently on his own but I plan to get him a female.
2. Don't have space in tank for another 12 fish and I know tetra need to be in schools. Is it OK to have a mixed school with 3 cardinals and 3 neon?

 

[Davo86]

neons and cardinals will be killed,

On your other thread, As you know i did suggest Zebra Danios or larger Tiger barbs with just the male Convict,
The tank isn't big enough for a pair of convicts and dithers, its barely big enough for two convicts tbh