Can Kribs be kept with Jewels?

[Zeb]

Hi there...

Been a long time since I posted here, so It will be interesting to see some new names. ( not that I even became a regular anyways. )

So: The topic. I have two hemichromis jewels in a 30 gallon tank at the moment. ( H. Bimaculatus, "Turquoise" ) Though I like them, they don't really do much.....at one point I had 6 dither fish in there (serpae tetras) and the jewels became very active, but after a few weeks I missed a few tetras until I was left with none. But it lasted 2 months....

Anyways, I'm going to be doing some renovation.....one though was to put the two jewels ( both female, by the way ) in a 40 gallon long, decorated in a African riverine biotype. ( I have a pretty cool sketch of it...)

So, I'd like to know if anyone has had any luck keeping kribensis with jewels. It would be a 4 foot tank, lightly planted with Crinum Natans, with many rocky ledges and caves, as well as a few coconut shells.

Some other fish I may be considering would be a type of African-native dither fish ( Barb, Danio, something ) and some type of catfish. ( Some suggestions would be Syno. Angelicus or Clown plec. )

Thanks,
Zeb

 

[Slappy*McFish]

It might work..but I wouldnt count on it...the jewels can be pretty aggressive(especially during breeding time)...I would think about adding more jewels before adding kribs. I'm sure it would be a spectacular tank though.

 

[Zeb]

Well, that's just an option....I can always have kribs in a 20 long.

Another one I thought of was the butterfly cichlid, but I don't know much at all about them. I have heard they are more timid, so they probably would have even less of a chance.

I guess, if nothing else, add catfish, dithers, and some lilifali for some color....maybe even get them to breed.

 

[Tightdog1]

jewels and kribs could get messy casue u never know with jewels they may look nice and timid but when they with other fish they can get aggressive im not saying they will just they might.

dont now anything about butterflys tho sorry.

 

[firetank]

butterfly cichlid(anomalochromis thomasi) are generally a very soft cichlid, with only increased aggression when breeding

I believe kribs would fare better with jewels, but jewels are known as being very aggresive, and able to hold their own with much larger cichlids.....

the 20 long, however would comfortably hold a pair of thomasi, and a pair of kribs; with a suitably large amount of caves\bogwood\plants to break up and sight lines....

hth.

 

[dbcb314]

I have a krib with my jewel fish. They never bother each other. But I have a bigger tank that you do, and I also do not have a pair of jewels.

 

[Tightdog1]

yea if you do do it then be very cautious

 

[Zeb]

Well, I still want Kribs but will be doing them in a different setup...possibly with Thomasi.

But I went out and proved to be another impulse buyer...hehe. Especially since it's so hard to find the right fish around here.

So anyways, I ended up bringing home 2 1" Hemichromis Lilifali ( That's my guess....I'm just happy to have finally found some bright red jewels. Not sure if they are cristatus/lilifali or if that is the same fish. Either way, two more Jewels. ) and I also bough a Buffalo head. ( Bumphead, lionhead, Buffalo, etc. )

It was just too rare of a find. Had to get it. So, I have in the 30 gallon tank 1 buffalohead, 2 3" H. Bimaculatus & 2 1" H. Lilifali....

As soon as I get a stand they will go in the 40 long....and I'm waiting to find out how the buffalo head will do with them.

So far, the buffalo head has been having dominance....well, when he's bothered he does anyways.

And the two Jewel species pick on each other, but not the other specie. And all are active.......have yet to see any real aggression or fin nipping.

So, It will be interesting....