Tankmates for 29 gal. ?

[andyt1286]

I have 4 mollies and some growing guppy fry in there. This is planted. Is there any kind of cichlid that doesn't uproot or eat plants? How about electric blue's or even Jack Dempsey's??

[Sharyl C]

I can't think of any cichlid species off the top of my head that would not up root stuff - except maybe angel fish. I believe that water quality requirements are quite different than that of mollies, though so I don't think that would make a good combo.

I know for sure elec blues (assuming you mean the african lake malawi species...johannii??) and jack dempseys will not behave in your tank.

[andyt1286]

thanks!! i am leaning toward gouramis now!! maybe a breeding pair or something!! i believe they won't uproot the plants, or will they? let me know what kinds of gouramis would be good for a 29, thanks!

andy

[TKOS]

I keep gouramis in my parents' planted tank and it is going well. They eat algea as well and seem to be good at keeping the plants clean. Just watch out that you buy dwarf gouramis as the big ones get real big.

I don't know how they will work with guppies but work well with other fish.

[LMOUTHBASS]

i keep them with live bearers, you might get one who likes to establish the tank as "his tank" but they are generally peacefull, i woul recomen pearl gouramis, moonlight, gold, opaline, or 3 spots, or my fav is the dwarf honey , these lil guys are so fun to watch very curious and are great at picking up scraps, and they dont ever bother uprooting plants, but they will occasionly take a nibble on some leaves, but i keep mine in a planted tank, they dont detroy plants, and are a pretty happy fish, let us know what you pick!!!

[optix]

Both the electric blue and jack dempsey would outgrow that 29 gallon in a hurry let alone the compatibility problems.

[DarkTetra]

If you are going to go with full sized Gouramis, I would watch what plants they are going to be with. Gouramis are notorious grazers and will eat many aquatic plants. If you go with these guys, make sure the plants in the tank are not very tasty. Hornworts and swords never seem to get eaten in my tanks. Also, Gouramis can get kind of big and have the strength to uproot many plants that don't have a well established root system.

[drew22to375]

I have a firemouth cichlid in my 29 she doesn't up root the plants she justs stipes all the leaves off of them instead. except for anubis nana.

[andyt1286]

I saw a bunch of firemouth cichlids and I would love to get a pair in my 29 (w/plants). What do you think?

Otherwise, I would like to get a pair of Opaline Gouramis, but I want this to be a planted tank for the most part.

Andy