Kribs, Rams and Corys??

Neat tank! It has a lot of potential! Maybe do some equipment hiding and add some driftwood and more plants and voila! Neato. I love cube tanks they are so neat to aquascape because you have so much depth. :)


Onikun said:
My bolvian rams pick on my cories sometimes. During feeding especially. they peck at the cories and i suspect they may have pecked at their barbels too cuz they just mysteriously lose them.
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What size is your substrate? If its too big then the cories will loose thier barbels in the cracks between the gravel (as I have had happen to mine).


-Diana
 
In searching the archived messages, I have read that a lot of people have had compatibility issues with rams and cories. Seems that quite a few cories have been lost that way.
 
I guess an additional factor to consider is the origin of each species and how they communicate. The various body and fin movements, coloration, and noises to signal other fish of intent and mood are different continent to continent. South American fish speak and African fish speak are two different languages. It certainly adds to confusion between fishes. And, the resulting conflicts.

I agree that the decision is, when one gets down to it, a personal one. I try to set-up species or continent tanks. Each tank containing compatible specimens. Makes life for the fish in there much less stressful. Which should lead to better health and longevity.

I change 60% plus of water in every tank every week too. Not everyone does. We all do different things. I just try to do those things that have worked for me the best since I started keeping fish 30+ years ago.

Are lots of things possible? You bet. Are those lots of things "best"? That is the answer that every hobbyist has to make on their own.
 
Thanks LuvMyKribs, I do need to hide some of the equipment. Tank has only been up and running for about 1 month now so lots of "tweaking" to do yet. I also want to add some real plants to see how they do.

I've been searching and reading a little more on rams and kribensis. The rams do seem to pick on the cories more than the kribensis but it is all dependant on tank size, decorations, etc. I have noticed that the kribensis also likes more of a brackish water condition, will they be ok with regular FW parameters? 0 Ammonia, 0 Nitrite, 5ppm Nitrate, GH approx. 37ppm. PH = 6.8
 
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I've never heard of kribs being brackish. I have not kept kribs myself, but do keep apistos (similar in temperament and husbandry). If I had to put money on rams or kribs picking on the cories, I would guess the kribs will be more of a problem. I would definately keep a much larger school of cories (maybe 10 or 11). Not only will this make them happier, but it will give the cichlids more targets, and thus individual fish will not be picked on nearly as much.

One more suggestion is to look into Apistos instead of the kribs. They come form SA, are a little smaller (in size only), and in my opinion much prettier. Check out www.thekrib.com. Go to Apistogramma and dwarfs to check out some pics.
 
mooman said:
I've never heard of kribs being brackish. I have not kept kribs myself, but do keep apistos (similar in temperament and husbandry). If I had to put money on rams or kribs picking on the cories, I would guess the kribs will be more of a problem. I would definately keep a much larger school of cories (maybe 10 or 11). Not only will this make them happier, but it will give the cichlids more targets, and thus individual fish will not be picked on nearly as much.

One more suggestion is to look into Apistos instead of the kribs. They come form SA, are a little smaller (in size only), and in my opinion much prettier. Check out www.thekrib.com. Go to Apistogramma and dwarfs to check out some pics.
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To quote the species profile on Aquaria Central,
"These small cichlids are characteristic of the slightly-brackish deltas and low lying streams of West Africa. They occur in fresh as well as slightly brackish water, and adapt well to most water conditions provided extremes of pH and hardness are avoided."
I will look more into the Apistos, thanks. :clap:
I don't think I want that many Cory's though, hmmm unless I get those cute little Panda Corys..... boy, you guys sure get me thinking... :read: :dance2:
 
Take everything you read with a grain of salt ;)

While kribs have been found in slightly brakish areas, it is not known and unlikely they spend a lot of time there. It could be for breeding or feeding purposes that they were found in brakish deltas, or other unknown factors such as deforestation. Generally kribs actually prefer slight blackwater. I have even seen them kept with high pH rift lake species, although this is definately not advisable. ;)

-Diana
 
~*LuvMyKribs*~ said:
Neat tank! It has a lot of potential! Maybe do some equipment hiding and add some driftwood and more plants and voila! Neato. I love cube tanks they are so neat to aquascape because you have so much depth. :)
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Sorry to bump this to the top but I have a question regarding hiding my equipment. I think the more hidden the better but I am having problems with my heaters. It seems that the way I have them now, (see pics in above post), is reliable and "temperature stable", if I move them to try and hide them (and the cord) the temperature seems to get thrown off quite a bit. I believe it's because of the current in the tank. Any suggestions? thanks.
I can't move the powerhead, it has to stay where it is.
 
Hmmm its because your tank is viewed from 3 sides you may have trouble fully hiding the equipment. Placing the filter beside the intake or outtake tubes/jets on your filter will help with flow. Putting the heater near a corner and placing a tall plant infront of it may help as well.

It hard to say just going by the pic...

:)
-Diana
 
Thanks LuvMyKribs. I think I will just have to experiment with all the possibilities. The biggest tank I ever had was 33G. So this 130G is quite the learning experience but my fish LOVE IT! :thm: :dive2:
My clowns play all the time and they are learning to come out of hiding and even frolick around with the light on. They're awesome, I've never had clown loaches before.
 
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