hey guys, I'm on a search for a predator to control my jewel cichlid fry. I've got a breeding pair in a 29 gallon that just won't stop and I can't keep up with the fry. I'd like to add something to the tank anyway so I'm trying to decide what can fit my criteria. It's a standard 30" long 29 gallon just like you'd find at wal-mart or petsmart. right now there is a strawberry pot, cave made from river rock and some fake plants but I can add whatever I need to. No live plants right now. I need a fish that will eat any and all fry or even eggs if it can but can withstand the jewels harassment as well as stay small enough to live in the 29. I know, tough order. On top of this, I'd prefer something from Africa to try and complement the african cichlids I have but that's not a requirement. looking around at what's available, here's the possibilities I've run across. platydoras costatus, raphael catfish; synodontis nigriventris, upside down catfish; pimelodus pictus, pictus catfish; and synodontis eupterus, feather-fin catfish. I also was eyeballing a xenomystus nigri, african brown knifefish but from the little I've read this evening they shouldn't be kept with aggressive fish. I've also got a bunocephalus coracoideus, banjo catfish already but not sure he'd do well in there. I believe the pictus might be my best choice due to size and temperament. I've been wanting to get this done for a few weeks and went out today in search of what looked useable and came home to find a swarm of fry so I need to do something fast. I wish I had another tank of cichlids I could feed the fry to but I don't. the only tankmates I've tried with them were some zebra danio's for dithers and some xenotoca eiseni, orange-tailed goodeids (livebearers) both of which got nipped tails so I removed them. My biggest problem with the upside down's is they come so small I'm afraid they'd be eaten. I found some 4" featherfins that should be ok as they are and the pictus are usually close to fullgrown in the shops. the knife is also around 6" so if they are an option the size would be ok. any ideas??? Kyle
cats or knife for Jewel cichlid tank
- Thread starter snakeskinner
- Start date
See if you can find a synodontis robbianus. They get to about 6" and would likely eat the eggs. As you already said though, watch out that whatever you put in doesn't get killed by the jewels. I wouldn't put a synodontis eupterus in, IMO they get way too big for a 29.
don't have any of those around here that I've found. unfortunately I have a limited stocklist to choose from. thanks, Kyle