It seems I'm starting to have the same problem common to many cichlid owners......my two cichlids stay hidden most of the time. I have been considering getting dither fish to make them more active in the tank. I currently have a 6" (TL) Jack Dempsey, and a 5" (TL) Blackbelt, and a 4" Blue Crawfish in a 55 gal with over 100lbs of rocks (large caves, walls, etc.) I know this tank is generally considered small for these fish as adults, I keep water quality very high, with nitrates never much above 10ppm. I just added 5 baby Java Ferns to the tank also (pinched off from planted tank).The fish still have plenty of room to swim around and They have been in this tank for about 9 months and don't seem to be growing very quickly. As they age, though, they seem to get more reclusive. I want fish to occupy the mid-top levels of the tank and be quick and heardy enough for these cichlids. Any ideas?
Dither fish recommendations?
- Thread starter Sumpin'fishy
- Start date
I use Arulius barbs in my large male JD and Synspilum tank.
My other tanks I have used Spanner/ T-Bar barbs. They are a little fatter and slower than the arulius, which is why I had to move them out of the JD, synspilum tank into the others.
They were being picked off with ease.
The sysnspilum catches and eats an Arulius every now and then, but otherwise they do a great job.
They look good too.
My other tanks I have used Spanner/ T-Bar barbs. They are a little fatter and slower than the arulius, which is why I had to move them out of the JD, synspilum tank into the others.
They were being picked off with ease.
The sysnspilum catches and eats an Arulius every now and then, but otherwise they do a great job.
They look good too.
Does it actually make a difference in fish visibility? Do your cichlids actually spend more time swimming around in the tank instead of hiding in caves?
So far I've been thinking of: Tinfoil Barbs, Silver Dollars, or Giant Danios, although the Danios I saw were pretty small to start with. The Tinfoils looked like they were about the same size and would continue to get larger as my cichlids grow. How many should I add of any of these fish?
So far I've been thinking of: Tinfoil Barbs, Silver Dollars, or Giant Danios, although the Danios I saw were pretty small to start with. The Tinfoils looked like they were about the same size and would continue to get larger as my cichlids grow. How many should I add of any of these fish?
My guys do come out more with the dithers.
I went with the arulius because of the size. They are not too small and yet don't get huge like tinfoils can.
I have found that a small schools works best 3 or 4.
Although you an get more if the tank size will allow you to.
Right now the school I have is 6. It's working just fine.
The fish are out more and because of the size you get to see the 2 big guys take a run every now and then at the dithers. 99% of the time though they fail. The barbs are just too fast.
I went with the arulius because of the size. They are not too small and yet don't get huge like tinfoils can.
I have found that a small schools works best 3 or 4.
Although you an get more if the tank size will allow you to.
Right now the school I have is 6. It's working just fine.
The fish are out more and because of the size you get to see the 2 big guys take a run every now and then at the dithers. 99% of the time though they fail. The barbs are just too fast.
What size tank do you have these fish in? You have same fish as me almost (Synspilum and Blackbelt are both Veija's). Bye the way, I really like those fish, they look awesome!
I have been looking at the fish you suggested, but they don't offer those around here. The three I named above are what it seems I have to work with (Tinfoils, Silver Dollars, and Giant Danios). I don't think Tinfoils will work well in my tank (size). The Giant Danios I've seen for sale are babies and would probably end up as a snack, so I'm really leaning toward getting the Silver Dollars. Anyone think this is a good/bad idea? I'm thinking of 3 to 4.
I have been looking at the fish you suggested, but they don't offer those around here. The three I named above are what it seems I have to work with (Tinfoils, Silver Dollars, and Giant Danios). I don't think Tinfoils will work well in my tank (size). The Giant Danios I've seen for sale are babies and would probably end up as a snack, so I'm really leaning toward getting the Silver Dollars. Anyone think this is a good/bad idea? I'm thinking of 3 to 4.
Like you I have them in my 55 gallon. I had the synspilum out in one of my other tanks for a while, but she got really nasty with my other fish.
So I put her back with her mean little buddy and they live happily together.
Here she is. She's 9 inches now.
Here's her 7.5 inch mean JD buddy.
Silver dollars can get quite big. You might want to wait a little bit for those danios to grow and get yoursellf 4 or 5 of them.
Another option is rosey and or golden barbs. They are cheap and tough. But not as fast as the others. They don't get too big either.
So I put her back with her mean little buddy and they live happily together.
Here she is. She's 9 inches now.
Here's her 7.5 inch mean JD buddy.
Silver dollars can get quite big. You might want to wait a little bit for those danios to grow and get yoursellf 4 or 5 of them.
Another option is rosey and or golden barbs. They are cheap and tough. But not as fast as the others. They don't get too big either.
I see that you have only the few options. I would go with ScottoMacD said. I would wait until the Giant Danios get a liitle bigger to buy.
I have 4 Giant Danios, but I also use Rainbow Fish. I have a 150g so I have 7 of them. Not only are they fast, but are pretty colorful and only get to be about 3-4 inches. Do you have any of them available to you. I saw in another thread you bought some plants from Petsmart. They carry them at all the one's here in Jacksonville. I bought mine there.
Good Luck!!
I have 4 Giant Danios, but I also use Rainbow Fish. I have a 150g so I have 7 of them. Not only are they fast, but are pretty colorful and only get to be about 3-4 inches. Do you have any of them available to you. I saw in another thread you bought some plants from Petsmart. They carry them at all the one's here in Jacksonville. I bought mine there.
Good Luck!!
I'll check out the Rainbows and get back to you. I may check Petsmart for Giant Danios also. I'm so used to ignoring fish stock at Petsmart, that I forget it's an option!
What do you guys mean by the Silver Dollars getting big? I have read that they only get to a max of 5 1/2" or 6". I know they are pretty deep bodied, but they are thin, too. It may help keep the bigger cichlids off them a bit! Are they at least quick?
What do you guys mean by the Silver Dollars getting big? I have read that they only get to a max of 5 1/2" or 6". I know they are pretty deep bodied, but they are thin, too. It may help keep the bigger cichlids off them a bit! Are they at least quick?