cichlid compatiblity

G

goldentiff

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Feb 3, 2006
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Okay, I have gone crazy trying my best to figure out what goes best in 55g.

I have narrowed it down to:

Aulonocara
archocentrus
cryptoheros
thorichthys

I am trying to stay w/cichlids that don't get over 6 inches. I will be putting them in groups of one male to 2 (3) females. I also really want to get some shell dwellers but have not been able to figure out which ones go best w/group I listed on top.

Additional tank mates would be a BN (1)and mystery snails (1 or 2). I also want some live plants...maybe java fern and sword?

Since I am a beginner w/cichlids, I really would like opinions on whether I am headed in the right direction.

I hope that LuvMyKribs and Liv2padl will respond to me as well as anyone else.

Accepting opinions and suggestions :help: :help: :bowing:
 
i'd recommend against maintaining the African Aulonocara species or Lamprologus species "shell dwellers" in a tank containing Central American cichlids. moreover, a 55 gallon tank isn't nearly large enough to keep all of the species you've noted.

perhaps what you meant was to pick 'some' from that group? if so, two trios of any of the CA cichlid families noted would do well in 55 gallons. i'd decorate it such that two opposing 'territories' were on each end of the tank, with an open area in the middle planted reasonably with whatever you like.

i'd leave the BN (bristle nose pleco?) or any pleco for that matter, out of the equation if you're interested in breeding these fish since it will attempt to scavenge the eggs and get beat up in the process.

my personal all time favorite is Archocentrus panamense. i'm currently breeding these as well as Cryptoheros cutteri, nanoluteus, sajika and Thorichthys pasiones. of these, nanoluteus are the smallest and least aggressive but generally, none of the above are overly aggressive and focus on 'bluff' flaring rather than any rough stuff.

any other Q's just let me know.
 
I'm not overly familiar with the last three genus you have there, but they are all new world cichlids, correct? A group of Aulonocara would work well in that tank, but as liv2padl has already mentioned, it is not advisable to mix cichlids that come from different water chemistries... and that have different diets.

You must first choose whether you want to keep the africans or the new world cichlids.... and then you can begin to narrow down which genus you would like. :)

HTH
-Diana
 
I am soooo sorry I had not responded back but I had to leave town in emergency (mom sick).

I did more research, how about this.

Lake Malawi Haplochromine set-up

one male/2 females: Aulonocara species (except for jacobfriebergi)
Otopharynx Lithobates
Promotelas species (except for Mbenji, spilontus, and
all larger species)

With above I will have a couple of plecos, forget about the snails, I figure a couple of Bristlenose plecos should do the trick, and again some java fern and swords.

P.S. Liv2padl: I know you said forget the plecos, but I want someone that will clean algae and any leftover food. I checked at the site "plecofanatics and was told that they should be able to get along with sufficient hiding spots. Also from what I have read about above species is they are mildly to semi agressive and usually only when breeding ( I am not looking to breed just to have happy fish). But if you can suggest something else, please let me know.


I really, really want to also have some dwarf shell dwellers but I am stuck as to what type would go w/above and how many could I get.

After trying very hard to acquire limestone or slate rocks I decided to build my own rock wall w/ styrofoan ( I found a site that gives instructions), I also figured on a dark sandy (but not fine) substrate to better define the fish coloration.

Since I don't trust my lfs, I plan on ordering the fish online. This is the only way I know I will get exactly what I want (since I don't know how to sex them).

I know and apologize that this is a long thread. Thank you so much for responding to me.

I am determined to get this right and for all the fish to thrive for years.

reminder: 55gallon tank :read:
 
Looks like you are doing African cichlids. Your post asked about Archocentrus and Cryptoheros, both American, so let me tell you what I know:

Cryptoheros sajica, also known as Archocentrus sajica and Chiclasoma sajica is very peaceful, unlike its cousin the Convict. It grows to 4", some say 5", is a good parent and easy to mate (not picky). It is also a very colorful fish. It will get along with most non cichlid tankmates as long as they are larger than it's mouth, and I read can handle himself/herself well in the company of larger cichlids, which I don't intend to test with my pair. I strongly recomment them.
 
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Since earlier post said I should not mix cichlids, I decided to go w/african. But from what I read about the ones I mentioned they do not get larger then 6 inches and are only mildly aggressive.

Do you know if they would get along w/shell dwellers? and if yes, how many and what type should I get?
 
Guess no one wants to help me :sad:

Please, Although I have kept fish for 3 yrs I was doing everything wrong and really want to do it right this time.
 
It sounds like your on the right track. Some of those species, such as the lithobates and possibly the Protometalas species (depending on which one you choose) will eventually get too large for a 55 gallon.... but they will be fine for at least a couple years. Would you consider upgrading in the future?

Try having a look here:
http://www.malawimayhem.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2659

I would not try mixing in shelldwellers, instead I would keep them in thier own biotope tank, possibly with other tangynikan cichlids depending on the size of the tank.

:)
-Diana
 
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