African Cichlids

[Jakezori]

what is the best cichlid to keep with assorted africans among the following


green terror
jewel
firemouth


also... will blue rams mate when a butterfly fish is in the same tank?

 

[Hooked Newbie]

None of them. You should not mix American cichlids with any Africans. Their needed conditions differ.

 

[blue2fyre]

What type of africans? If you are looking at mbuna then I say none will work.

 

[Jakezori]

i thought jewels were from africa... anyway, i dont know if they are mbuna or not... at petco they are named "assorted african" cichlids.

also... cant i introduce the the africans after i put the other cichlid in (where the other cichlid is bigger than the african)?

 

[DrNo]

None of them. You should not mix American cichlids with any Africans. Their needed conditions differ.

Thank you

Plus, this <---- user has another condition for specimen selection:

Must... maintain... biotope! Must resist... urge to... mix continents!!!

 

[Coler]

Assorted africans are 99% going to be malawi species; not a good mix with the CA/SA species you list. The different behavioural aggression and required approach to stocking (africans - overstock to minimise territorial aggression, CA/SA the opposite) are big problems. Tanganyikans/Victorians are also not good choices for somewhat similar but different reasons if you know what I mean (I don't ))

Jewels are indeed africans - west african riverine. They are far more similar to CA/SA being pair forming (as opposed to harem like a lot of rift lake species). I don't know how one will get on with your larger fish...I suspect a sole jewel may not do great due to size difference.

People will often have some success in a random ish way with a couple of africans in a set-up - but its not possible to reccomend a rift lake species which gives you a good chance.

Will rams mate with a butterfly fish in the tank - tank size ? other tank mates ?

 

[Jakezori]

Thank you

Plus, this <---- user has another condition for specimen selection:

Must... maintain... biotope! Must resist... urge to... mix continents!!!

?

 

[Coler]

DrVader means they like biotope tanks, which is a tank where all the fish (and flora in a strict biotope) would be found living with/near each other in the wild.

 

[Jakezori]

doesnt the jewel live with/near the assorted africans?

 

[Coler]

Not really at all (ok same continent but very different geographical locations). The Rift Lakes (Malawi, Tanganyika, Victoria system) are in East Africa running North through South through almost the whole of that part of the continent. The Jewel inhabits West African rivers right the other side of it.