What Do I Get?

[Comacchio]

Ok quick background..

I have 2 Keyhole cichlids and a Blue Acara. Currently they are being torn to shreds from the Kribensis pair I'm now getting rid of (Once I catch them! Seriously - any tips as to how to catch these buggers?). Other fish in the tank are: An albino bristlenose, a bristlenose, 4 panda cory, 5 peppered cory, 2 platys (13 fry too but they are going into a grow out tank when I get it) and 2 apple snails.

I intend to get a shoal of Rummynose tetra and one or 2 more cichlids - any suggestions for a NW cichlid or 2 that would work in my setup?

 

[snake007]

Sounds like a nice tank, whats the size and dimensions?

 

[Comacchio]

The tank is 200L - 100cm*40cm*50cm.

Filtered via a Fluval U4 and a Fluval 205. Water is at 25-27 degrees.

 

[minnnt]

Personally i would rehome the Blue Acara, but thats just me.

I would be tempted to add another 2 Panda Cories and maybe add another 2 Keyholes. If you don't want another 2 Keyholes then maybe look into the possibility of Bolivian Rams. Then i would be looking into some Tetra's of some kind. Either Glowlights or Green Neons. Assuming it is a Roma 200? You could get a nice sized shoal in there, maybe 25 or 30?

And, i would also be looking into upping the external filter so you can get shut of the internal.

 

[Comacchio]

I'll see how the Acara gets along - he's been ok so far.

I did want a bit more variety so not too keen on more Keyholes. I did have a think about Bolivs or maybe some Apistos but kinda thought the bottom was getting a bit crowded!

With regards to tetras - I had a shoal of 10 neons that died over the course of a week due to neon tetra disease. Don't think I want to go down the neon route again!

Its not the Roma 200, in all honesty I have no idea what brand it is. I just bought it 2nd hand as it's my first tank and I didn't want to start small so went 2nd hand for more volume per £! I quite like the internal purely because its easy to clean haha. Cleaning the 205 can be a bit messy with water falling out the tubes.. but then again that might just be my poor method of removal if anything.

Would a Rainbow cichlid or 2 fit in do you reckon? Definately want something with a bit of colour.. the tank is sort of brown at the moment!

 

[ZoddyZod]

For catching them, drain the water so that there is just enough water for all your fish to be upright in. This will vastly improve your chances as they will have no vertical place to go. Also use two nets to heard one into the other.

 

[minnnt]

LOL!!!

Ok, so how about Silver Tip Tetra's? A massive shoal would keep any bickering within the group.

If you have any plants in your tank then Rainbow Cichlids will be a bad choice. They can devour an entire aquarium of plants in less than a week... I speak from experience.

Maybe a Thorichthys of some sort?

 

[IanS]

Alright mate .."..how about German Blue rams...... I have 4 in my tank with rummy noes and harlequins and they are all over the tank not just the lower areas.

Ian

 

[minnnt]

GBR's need a higher temperature range...

 

[IanS]

GBR's need a higher temperature range...

27deg...is that fine ... Minnnt

 

[Comacchio]

That'll be the Rainbow out of the equation then.. rather heavily planted tank! I'll look into silvertip tetras, I think my cousin has them and isnt too fond of their nippyness!

The Thorichthys could be a good shout if Maidenhead in Glasgow have them! (Going there on Sunday, only decent fish shop around my area and it's over an hours drive away unfortunately).

Ian - That's also an option then, how are they to keep? Definately would add a bit of colour!

 

[minnnt]

Ideally they would like it at 28+, something which your other fish wouldn't be too happy at. So it would mean a shorter life for the GBR's at lower temps, or shorter lives for tank mates at higher temps.

Cardinals and Sterbai Corydoras are often kept at a similar temperature so would make good tank mates.

 

[IanS]

No problem at all so far 1m & 3f ...the lassies were squaring up to each other when i first got the which was funny to watch, but seemed to have settled down now. 2 have claimed one end of the tank and the other female has the opposite end...... The male well he just dodges the lassies and bimbles about

 

[IanS]

Ideally they would like it at 28+, something which your other fish wouldn't be too happy at. So it would mean a shorter life for the GBR's at lower temps, or shorter lives for tank mates at higher temps.

Cardinals and Sterbai Corydoras are often kept at a similar temperature so would make good tank mates.

Will have to have a look at a change then.....when I bought them they were sold as blue ram......and to be honest I didn't know any better at the time

Cheers minnnt

 

[Comacchio]

Any other suggestions of something that wont intimidate my Keyholes into a corner? Have a pic of my bigger bristlenose.


George Closeup by Allan.Jones, on Flickr