How many get along?

[Lady G]

I am having a very difficult time trying to decide which type of cichlid to go with... looking at the South America Dwarves and the Lake Tanganyikas. I need to know if I can mix them or do you need to stick to one type per tank, and how many can I put in a 30/gallon? I am trying to stick with ones that don't get bigger than 3-4 inchs so they can have room, although I just LOVED the chalinochromis brichardi and it say's they grow to 5" so if I went with something that size I should only get 2 right? Then what would make good tank mates with them? I'm so CONFUSED!!!! :thud:

Thank you,

Gin

[themadblimper]

Do NOT mix cichlids from africa and south/central america together. Keep only cichlids from africa with those from africa, and those from south/central america with those from south/central america. Totally different water quality needs.

[~*LuvMyKribs*~]

A pair of brichardi would probebly be okay in that size tank... but they do get larger and can be VERY aggressive ie- no tankmates. In a smaller tank I doubt they would tolerate other fish when they start to spawn. There are many other Lake Tang cichlids that would work though.

And yes, dont mix cichlids from different areas together. Not only is water chemistry an issue- but diet and temperments as well.

Go slow with it... there are so many choices out there!
;)
-Diana

[Analog Saint]

Door #1) Neolamprologus. Brevis, N. Multifasciatus, N. Ocellatus, N. Caudopunctatus, or L. Stappersii.

Door #2) Apistogramma, bolivian rams, or german rams.
Or a pair of kribensis pulcher.
Or convict cichlids.
Or Honduran Red Point cichlids.
Or maybe a firemouth pair.

If you go for door #1, you could have probably two pair in a 30. They inhabit the hard, alkaline waters of the African Rift Lakes, and will need similar water to survive. These stay fairly small, and are interesting to watch.

If you go with door #2, these guys will need neutral waters, or perhaps more acidic. You can get one pair, and some dither fish. The dithers should be chosen according to what pair you choose, as they range widely in their temperament and size.

[Lady G]

Thanks for the suggestions, right now I am just looking and trying to decide what to go with and trying to find out what needs the ones I think I want will have, i.e: caves, rocks, substrate, plants, foods stuff like that.
It will probabley be about a month before I am able to get it all so I have some time to decide, but man there are soooo many I love!!
I'm going to go and check out the ones suggested here and see what I think about them, but do you mean I could have 2 pair of each in the tank or pick 2 that I like and get a pair of each of them (like 4 fish total)? Now I have to look at what dither are too!
Wow this is so exciting, my tank I have now I didn't get to pick, my son got them with my Mom and I just had to work with what they brought home, don't get me wrong I love my fish they are great and I wouldn't get rid of any of them, but actually picking what I want and learning about them first (like should of been done in the first place) is just so much fun!!

Thanks everyone, looking forward to writing to and hearing from you all again!!

Gin

[Analog Saint]

for the shell dwellers, since they're smaller, you could get two m/f pairs. Shell Dwellers may be hard to find though. If you like them and can't find them in stores, look for them at Aquarist Clubs/Organizations, as they seem to be a better source of harder to find fish.

for the others (apistogramma, rams, kribs, convicts/redpoints, firemouths) one pair will fill out a 30.


Dither fish serve many purposes: if fish are aggressive, dithers help spread out the aggression so as not to have one beat-up stressed-out fish. Dithers also give parental fish something to "protect" their territory from, and will hopefully bring out the parental instincts that make cichlids so interesting.

Dither fish are also called "target fish, " but I guess "dither" sounds less callous than likening to a fish as a target.

[Lady G]

This really bites....I want the Rams, cockatoos, kribs, AND the apistos!!!!!!!! I can see it now I'm going to have to get more tanks! Oh and not to mention I just LOVE the convicts!!
I do like "door #1" also, I just like all the colors of the others.

Thanks,

Gin

[Lady G]

Ok I know this is most likely no, but...... can cichlids go together in a tank with bala and a ropefish? That is why I am upgrading to the 55 if they can go with those two then I can put them in the 55 instead of the 30 and just keep my gouramis and black skirt tetras in the 30? Would this work?

[MightyMetallica]

I would watch out, remember Balas get massive, so eventaually that 55 is going to be seriously too small for it. Reguarding the ropefish, i'm not firmiliar with it, but from its name, i would not put too aggressive of a fish in there, cause it might get picked on

[Lady G]

Yeah, I was thinking that too (with the rope fish), as far as the bala I know they will get to big for the tank but that was the best I could do for them for now. Once they are to big for it I will upgrade and if I'm unable to I will most likely find a new home for them. They were a BIG begining mistake made by my son. But since I will have a free tank now, I am going to get what I want and make sure this time I get all the facts first! Thats why I have so many ?'s I don't want to end up with 30-50% water changes every other day AGAIN! Boy my fish are lucky I like em so much.
Now back to trying to decide what I want (that I can go with), just had that sper of the moment thought I'd figured I'd ask.