Why Are Curviceps Cichlids Not More Popular ?

[Zincubus]

Just bought a beautiful pair of Curviceps cichlids and can't understand why they are not extremely popular .

They are dwarf cichlids and as such VERY attractive and interesting to watch.

They are so peaceful and gentle much calmer than my Rams or even Borelli cichlids.

http/www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_curviceps.php

PS They are kept in my community tank.
Any thoughts ??.

 

[Madam Macaw]

What else do you have in the community tank? They are beautiful, do you have any pictures of yours?

 

[Zincubus]

Plecs, Dwarf cichlids, Rainbows, Sparkling Gouramis etc etc

 

[Colin_T]

I don't know why they aren't popular. They never have been. They are just one of those fish people ignore. A bit like silvertip or glolight tetras. A few people keep them but most ignore them. I think it's because most people see young fish in a shop tank and the fish don't have gourdy colours and stand out like dogs balls. I'm sure if people saw adults in breeding dress they would be more appreciative.

 

[tibby25731]

oooh they are beautiful, do you think I could have a pair in with my kribs?

 

[Colin_T]

oooh they are beautiful, do you think I could have a pair in with my kribs?

how big is the tank and is it well planted?

 

[tibby25731]

I would put them in my 4ft which does have a fair few fake plants but no real ones as I am really not green fingered! Quite a few hiding places too. If I put in some more fake plants would I be OK? It's not fully stocked yet but am hoping to have a shoal of around 12 neon tetras, 2 kribs, 1 common pleco, 10 guppies, 6 kuhli loaches, 3 dwarf gouramis and 2 bristlenose plecos. Will they all get along?

 

[Colin_T]

they will be fine in a 4ft with a pr of kribs.

if you have a pleco and a pr of B/nose catfish you will need to supplement their diet. They will also make a real mess in the tank and you will need to gravel clean the tank every week.
You might be better off getting either the pleco or the pr of B/nose, not both.

Plastic plants are fine for creating territories and habitat.

 

[tibby25731]

Oh brilliant! well I already have the common pleco so i guess I will give the bristlenose a miss then. I think I will buy some curviceps then if I can find them in my area! I'll get a load more fake ferns, they look really nice and sway in the current

 

[OldMan47]

I really like the looks of the gibiceps but when I looked I couldn't find any. Ended up with rainbow cichlids instead, herotilapia multispinosa. They were easy for me to find because my son breeds them.

 

[tibby25731]

What other dwarf cichlids could I keep in my tank? If I know in advance what I can keep, I will know what to look for when i visit a fish farm this weekend.

 

[Colin_T]

you could try a pr of Apistogramma dwarf cichlids. A. cacatuoides should be fine with the kribs. Nannochromis nudiceps or transvestitus should be ok as well. Blue rams or bolivian rams should be ok to.

I wouldn't have too many types of cichlids in the tank otherwise their territories will start to overlap and squabbles might occur. 3 or 4 species would be enough for that size tank.

 

[tibby25731]

Thanks Colin!

 

[celaeno]

curviceps were one of the dwarf cichlids i considered for my 20 gallon tank, but being that i don't like selling fry and am already fully stocked, i've never bought any. maybe i will some day..

 

[Tobigara]

Don't forget Keyholes