Which Fish To Add?

[JazzyB]

Here's what I'm thinking of hosting in my 27G Hex tank. Let me know what you think both positive/negative.

1. 1 or 2 Blue-eye cichlids
2. 2 Dwarf Gouramis
3. 3-4 Pepper Corydoras
5. Dwarf pleco (if there is one) or 2 algae eaters.

My concern is with the blue-eyes because they can become 4-5 inches in length. Currently the tank is empty of fish. Any recommendations on which fish should be introduced first?

If you have any other suggestions fire away! I'm all ears... er... eyes. Feel free to email me at jazzybjazzy@hotmail.com.

[LMOUTHBASS]

i woul think the cichlids will beat on your gouramies , cories etc - if you want cichlids maybe try going with angel fish they are a bit more peaceful plus they like hax tank a lot - also can i make a suggestion i woul skip the algae eaters as they only eat algae when young then they become a pain - i woul get some otto's they'll clean the tank ten times better

[JazzyB]

I've heard from a few people that the blue-eyed cichlids are quite peaceful. The tank is currently planted with some driftwood to break up the tank bottom, etc. I thought that since the dwarf gouramis would swim mid-level that they would be okay.

[rich]

are the blue eyes dwarfs? if so you should be all right and since your just getting one you wont get any mating aggression. you will still get a bit of fighting over territoy between the gourami and the cichlid though due to the fact thaqt the hex doesnt have a whole lot of width to it. and the gourami will want to occupy the same niche in the fish tank as the cichlid. they like to poke around in the plants and caves just the same.

for the pleco you could go for either a clown pleco which gets about 4-5 inches or a bristlenose cat which will get around 6". both will clear out algae from the tank. a pair of otos will do the trick also and they tend to lay on leaves not the bottom.

personally id swap the cories for an upper level fish. samll tetra, rasbora, or danio. the cories will like to poke around in the cave homes of the cichlid and that could lead to an irritated and more aggresive fish.

[JazzyB]

The blue-eyed cichlids (Cichlasoma spilurum) are not dwarf cichlids. I was thinking of getting either 1 or 2. If 2 then probably 2 females who are still juvenile (1-2" in length).

Are the otos you thinking of called Dwarf Otocinclus (Otocinclus affinis)? Will the Otos eat food from the bottom and eat algae?

The tank has quite a few plants and driftwood. I was hoping that would help keeping the gouramis and cichlids away from each other's throats. Plus, I hear that blue-eyes are very peaceful.

Could you recommend an upper-level fish that is very colorful that compliments the above mentionned fish?

I'm hoping to have something like this:

2 Blue-eye cichlids Cichlasoma spilurum
2 Dwarf Gourami (Colisa lalia)
2 Dwarf Otocinclus (Otocinclus affinis)
5-6 small upper-level fish?

[rich]

cardinal tetra, neon tetra are both a pretty blue
i use rasbora hengeli in with my dwarf cichlid trio, theyre clear with orange and black stripes
clown danios are little and are black and white.
theres a billion of the little guys.

honestly im not really into the darty litle schooling fish. i just got the rasboras to dither, and break up some of the female/female cichlid chasing. which it did.
yes the otos are otocinclus. there are a few varieties and recently ive seen a zebra variety thats neat looking.

[tricksterpup]

I personally think Angels are way to big for a 27 gallon hex, after having a pair of large ones. I would never keep them in anything less than a 40 breeder or 55 gal tank.
As for your other occupants, you can go with a pair of rams, a small school of cories, maybe some alage eating shrimp and I think the Dwarf Gouramis would be fine with the rams.


jim