View Full Version : Tankmates for Cichlids
mceagle555
11-28-2007, 11:17 PM
I have a tank with a yellow lab and a midnight demasoni (Each 1 inch long)....am I safe putting a school of cories in the bottom and is there any type of schooling fish I can also put in the tank? (20 gallon)
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/image.php?id=713&pic=1
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/image.php?id=1321&pic=1
africans with cories?? Africans should be kept alone. The cichlids will probably kill anything else you put in there.
johnlarson66
11-28-2007, 11:28 PM
I am not sure about the cories.
I have six Synodontis multipunctatus in my 120 gallon tank, with all sorts of chichlids. They like to be in groups, they do not so much school as follow each other.
I do not think you have a big enough tank for any, but others would know for sure. I would get them before the cories.
would the cories even live at the normal pH of africans??
johnlarson66
11-28-2007, 11:31 PM
I found good info about catfish planetcatfish.com. Plus the guy I got my fish from recomended them for my tank.
I also have two gold nuggets that have done pretty well, I put them in when the others were still young.
Lupin
11-29-2007, 12:02 AM
No is the answer. Simply no. While cories can adapt to the high pH, it is the aggression of the mbunas that will eventually lead to their deaths. Synodontis catfish are far better than the cories but not when the tank is smaller than 55 gallons.
By the way, while yellow labs are far more mild-mannered, it is the demasoni that has more problems than the lab.
silentskream
11-29-2007, 12:07 AM
yeah synodontis would be your best bet if you have the space. they're kinda similar in shape to corys too... but a LOT tougher
ScottGeeze
11-29-2007, 1:12 AM
The Yellow Lab would probably be fine with them but the Demasoni's are very mean.
GirlieGirl8521
11-29-2007, 11:18 AM
You should focus on getting a larger tank first. :) I'd start with atleast a 3ft tank....4ft is best. You could get more Yellow Labs or maybe some other Mbuna. I wouldn't get anymore Dems though.
Cories shouldn't be kept with Mbuna....they will be killed.
mostlycichlids
11-29-2007, 1:42 PM
I agree with girliegirl The 20g tank is way to small for Mbuna a 45-55g would be suitable. I would work on getting a larger tank or smaller more suitable fish for a 20g.
tarheels910
11-29-2007, 3:05 PM
As stated, yes the tank is way too small.
No cories, only Synodontis species.
Due to the aggression of the Demaoni they are best kept in groups of 10-15. For this number of fish, you are going to need a 55 gallon MINIMUM.