dwarf cichlids

[Julianna]

I just bought a 36 gallon bow front tank. I want to add some plants, but concentrate mainly on fish. I was considering dwarf cichlids, but I don't know which would be appropriate, how many to put in there, or which would get along together. Any ideas??

Thanks, Julie

[GobyGuy5]

I'll suggest some Bolivian Rams or German Blue Rams, beautiful colored fish (they prefer an Acid pH)

I'm unaware of any South American Dwarf Cichlids that are incompatible with each other, I'll leave that question up to others........

You could fit around ten or so 3" dwarf Cichlids in your tank, no problem, more if you could deal with the bioload

There are MANY different types of Dwarf Cichlids out there, check out the Genus Apistogramma as well as Microgeophagus for some beautiful fish

Good Luck ;)

[PmAn2k3]

I'd get about 6 cockatoo dwarf cichlids, very beautiful IMO.

Good luck and have fun!

[superstein61]

You can mix a variety of dwarf cichlid species without a problem. the only issue will be if a pair decides to breed. they will make life tough on the others if they encroach on their territory. However, their territory is usually small - and you can fix it by putt a fe obstacles up close to the shell or por they are breeding in

[Julianna]

Thanks so much for all of your suggestions. I'm going to do a little research and likely go with some of these. can I also add some small tetras or barbs with them?? I'd also like to have a few cories. Or will they compete too much for bottem space??

Thanks, julie

[kzarsky]

you'll want to avoid having two male cichlids of the same type. it is hard sex them sometimes - so watch for high levels of aggression. i went through that nightmare and had to return one of the males.

[O-man21]

6 KRIBS WITH LIVE PLANTS
corys may have trouble with them though..unless the cory's are full grown.

[superstein61]

Originally posted by Julianna
[B]I'd also like to have a few cories. Or will they compete too much for bottem space??[B]

Cories should be fine - I have 3 small (about 1/2" to 3/4" in size) Cory Duplicareus - as well as 2 Green laser Corys (1 " in size) and 6 Clown Loaches (also 1 inch in size ) in with several variety of dwarf cichlids. The cories and loaches are fearless - LOL. Even though my Nigerian Green's double or triple their size, they could care less - and don't let him bully them out of the way. And my 2 male Apisto Cautoides Triple red seem to turn tail and run from the loaches - and ignore the cories. So I don't see a problem mixing them at all. In fact, the breeder I have gotten most of these from keeps some intermixed in his grow-out and waiting for sale tanks

[superstein61]

Originally posted by kzarsky
you'll want to avoid having two male cichlids of the same type. it is hard sex them sometimes - so watch for high levels of aggression. i went through that nightmare and had to return one of the males.

Well I (and moreso the breeder I have gotten my dwarf cichlids from ) would both disagree with you. While the males may put on quite a show trying to show their dominance, they typically are relatively harmless. And the males are more colorful to begin with. So nothing wrong with having a few males of a certain species - unless you are gonna squeeze them in a 10 gallon tank

[irishspy]

Originally posted by Julianna
I just bought a 36 gallon bow front tank. I want to add some plants, but concentrate mainly on fish. I was considering dwarf cichlids, but I don't know which would be appropriate, how many to put in there, or which would get along together. Any ideas??

Thanks, Julie

A couple of pairs or trios of Dwarf Cockatoos or Borellis (A. Cacatuoides and A. Borelli, respectively) would do well in there. In fact, I plan to have a set of each as part of a 55g community set-up. You should see good parental behavior if you include a peaceful schooling fish, such as Bleeding Heart tetras. The cichlids will set up territories when they mate, but they're fairly small and you should be able to create some boundaries with rocks or plants.

Oh, and have a look at this site (http://www.apistogramma.com) for more good info on dwarf cichlids.

hope this helps,
--Anthony

[Dwarfnut]

One thing I try to look for in finding fish for my tanks is to try and get different kinds of fish that will 'space' themselves out. By that I mean some that live in the upper part of the water column, some for the middle, and some for the bottom. The issue with most of the dwarf cichlids is that they all tend to be lower water column dwellers. Another issue is to watch for wild-caught dwarfs... they tend to be more aggressive towards others than tank-raised fish.

I like to keep several pairs of the dwarf cichlids, a few cories, some type of algae eater(s), and something like tetras, gouramis(sp?), or like for the upper level. I've had no trouble keeping a school of cardinals in my 40 gallon with several pairs on Blue and Gold rams. My only trouble seemed to be in keeping the Bolivian Rams with the Blue rams as the Blue Rams seemed to delight in tormenting the Bolivians. The Bolivins are definitely very docile, and since the Blues were wild-caught, they didn't like other cichlids. Also, my Apisto Agassizzi Double red male does not really care for other fish either... especially Cory cats for some reason.

Good luck,
Bill C.

[Julianna]

Thank you so much for all of your hints and help. I was worried about mixing dwarf cichlids from different regions. (i.e apistos with, rams with kribs or anomalchromis thomasi) but it looks like some of you do that as well. Keep the good advice coming. I know I'll need it!!:)

Julie

[bobbdd]

Give this site a try, they specialize in them;

http://www.apistogramma.com/forum/index.php