My Black and White world...

[tommygunnz76]

Hello everyone! I am currently operating a 55 gallon tank in which I have fish that are semi-agressive according to my local fish store expert. I have 6 Bala Sharks and 2 Tinfoil Barbs which are amazingly active and great to watch. I also have 3 peacock eels, a medium size pleco, and 4 clown loaches. Problem: The only color I have in the tank are my clown loaches.

My question is, I have been looking at some African Cichlids at a very large fish store with awe due to their colors. (This store is pretty far away and I only get to go there rarely) What I am wondering is if it would be possible to mix some colorful Cichlids in with the fish I already have. I have been told that some Cichlids are less agressive than others and also that if I purchase younger fish, they may be able to be raised to become more community fish.

I have what I feel is an idea set up for my interests and needs right now. I would like to stay away from having two or more tanks since space is an issue but like I am sure most people find, I have an interest in many fish that are generally not supposed to be kept in the same tank.

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[sumthin fishy]

I hope you can take some constructive critisim

http://www.aquariacentral.com/species/db.cgi?db=fresh&uid=default&ID=0487&view_records=1 14" long in a 13" long tank(front to back)

http://www.aquariacentral.com/species/db.cgi?db=fresh&uid=default&ID=0315&view_records=1 these guys will only have 1" to turn at 12"

http://www.aquariacentral.com/species/db.cgi?db=fresh&uid=default&ID=0320&view_records=1 noses and tails will touch front to back

3 of these? http://www.aquariacentral.com/species/db.cgi?db=fresh&uid=default&ID=0604&view_records=1

And if its a common pleco it wont stay "medium" for long, it will get larger than the 18" stated in the profile http://www.aquariacentral.com/species/db.cgi?db=fresh&uid=default&ID=0208&view_records=1

Now, your tank is in need of a remodel to stay healthy. If you want africans, you will need to get rid of all those fish (which you should do anyways) and set it up with the hard alkaline water they will need. Make sure to not mix lakes and only keep 1-3 species(considering dietary needs and water quality). Provide plenty of covor, maintain and supervise breeding, etc. etc.

You could get a few colorful ones and throw them in with your current stock, but you wont get to see the natural heirarchy, the attidudes and personalities of the africans. As it is, you are set up for disaster

 

[Dangerdoll]

I totally agree with Fishy. How long ago did you get these current fish, how big are they, did you put them all in on the same day, and ffinally did you cycle the tank prior to these fish.

 

[tommygunnz76]

Thanks for your advice so far. Yes, I can take all the constructive critisism in the world when I am clueless as to what to do next. All my fish are generally in the 2 to 2 1/2 inch range and right now, swim all over the place with ease. I realize that in the future, these fish are going to be too large, but HOPEFULLY by then, space will not be an issue and I will be able to move them into larger tanks. As a backup plan though, my local fishstore will take large fish back since they are actually looking for some larger fish to use as a display for people who want to know what they will end up with later on. I am just looking for a compatible fish to add some color to my tank and the real reason I posted this is because a "aquarium specialist" has told me that some cichlids can live with semi-agressive fish like I have right now. My goal here is really to find reliable information from someone who is not trying to sell me anything! Please add any imput you might have for me, Thanks alot!

 

[sumthin fishy]

Well, the short of it is, you can find some colorful cichlids to add, not all are severly aggressive. That is a fact, but they will not necisarily "thriving"

The long of it is, there are a great many types of cichlids, if you find those that are not aggressive, you need to make sure they will do ok in your type of water. Africans prefer hard alkaline water, South Americans like soft accidic water. Diets are different as well as other factors you need to consider. In general, common SAs are larger than affricans, but I stress that is a general statement aimed at the commonly found fish at most LFS and not an entirely true statement. Since there are such a great many types of cichlid, its almost better to go find a few kinds you like the look of, come back and research them to see if they would be good for you. HTH