Cichlid combo?

[kobes18]

I am enamored with my suitemate's african cichlid tank (~40 gallons with about 6 or 7 in there), but only plan to get a 29 gallon and hoped to do a wider variety of fish. However, I adore the personalities of her cichlids.

I have read that blue rams are good for smaller tanks, but I have also read that they tend to be passive (i.e. boring?). Others have mentioned convict cichlids, but suggest only a pair in one 30 gallon tank.

I'm pretty open when it comes to stocking fish for my tank, but if possible I'd love to have a cichlid or two (or more). I would like to stock my tank with movement, color, and interesting behavior, and I wonder if anyone has any suggestions.

P.S., are the rams and convict cichlids compatible? What about convicts and another type of cichlid? With either type, would I be able to put otos or cories in with them? What about small tetras or rasboras?

Thanks you,

Amy

 

[YoFishboy]

Quote - P.S., are the rams and convict cichlids compatible? What about convicts and another type of cichlid? With either type, would I be able to put otos or cories in with them? What about small tetras or rasboras?

The rams and convicts are not compatible, but the rams would be good with the community you are asking about. Other options would be a few Yellow labs (Labidochromis caeruleus) or a few rusties (Iodotropheus sprengerae). Shell dwelling cichlids would also be good, but they are a little more shy.

 

[Swimfins]

I have been looking at ornate julies. In a rocky setting, 25 gallon tank, can I keep a bristlenose in with these guys? Thanks.

 

[YoFishboy]

a smaller dwarf pleco would be fine with julies - I know many cichlid breeders that use plecs with their africans.

 

[~*LuvMyKribs*~]

Should be fine, but in a smaller tank cichlids tend to me much more territorial about thier spawning sites. I would watch them carefully to make sure they arent harassing the pleco.



And for kobes18, i reccommend a pair of bolivian or german rams, or kribensis, along with possibly some cories and a school of tetras or danios. Those cichlids i just mentioned generally do well in community setups, but can become territorial when spawning. Provide lots of caves and/or plants for them and it should be fine. They are mainly bottom-dwelling so you can keep some other sort of active top-zone fish with them.


-Diana

 

[Swimfins]

Thanks, re: the pleco. I wonder about keeping a pair of julies and maybe a few lamperogus in the 25g. Could it work?


Luv your tanks, luvmykribs...cool.

 

[Analog Saint]

from what I hear, rams and convicts would be bad news. Convicts tend to be extremely aggressive, and will even go after larger tankmates... I'd imagine rams wouldn't fare well with cons.

So if you do go with the convicts, they'd probably have to be a species tank. Firemouth cichids are another option in a 30... For me it was a tough choice between a breeding pair of firemouths, a pair of convicts, or a green severum species tank. I got the severum as a tiny little baby (about the size of a postage stamp) and less than three months later, he's about 1.75" and absolutely amazing. Quite intelligent and interactive, and better trained than my parents' dog.