who knows these fish... (pics)

[mogurnda]

They'll eat just about anything. I give mine sinking cichlid pellets in the morning, a variety of frozen foods at night. Small portions.

A group of 5 in a 45 seems about right. If you're lucky, you'll get a couple of pairs. Unlike a lot of cichlids, mating pairs aren't too brutal to others in the tank, mostly keeping to their caves. They really like rock piles, so you might want to consider that in future aquascaping plans. The anubias should be great, I have that and java fern thriving with my guys.

They will get to a size where the white clouds will make an easy meal, but they may not realize it if they grow up with them. Otherwise, it's like demon_surfer says, they won't bother anyone who stays out of their territory.

 

[Verse914]

if they start breeding(it will be awhile before they do), they will claim a large area of the tank. I had a 5 1/2" pair that took up more than a quarter of my 75 gallon when they laid eggs, and kept up that territory till I removed the fry. Chances are when they get bigger, theyll kill the white clouds and probably the platies as well.

 

[JJM]

Okay guys thank you very much for all your help, I'll Leave the tank as it is, and If I see them causing problems I'll remove the whiteclouds and platies and swap them for a pair of Blue Acaras from another tank of mine.
So far they've settled in nicely each occupying a little territory and chasing the other Cylindricus away when they come close, They don't trouble the whiteclouds at all, as I haven't seen them venture from the bottom of the tank and the whiteclouds always hang out at the top of the tank.
Hopefully things will stay like this but I guess as they grow they will only get meaner right?

 

[Dragon_Lord_Tia]

so we got 1 thing straight its a cichlid of some sorta lol

 

[Verse914]

yes, they are N. cylindricus

And when they mature is when theyll show their true aggression.