1 Dempsey, 1 Polleni, 2 Raphael Cats...good Mix?

[JDs4me]

Thinking of 1 male dempsey, 1 female polleni and 2 raphael catfish for my 260 litre tank once cycled...would appreciate comments if anyone can see any issues with this mix? I plan to have a bigger tank for these guys once they have matured in about a years time. I feel this is not overstocking initially...

I appreciate the cichlids are from different parts of the world but seem compatible with water parameters etc. Are the raphaels a good choice though?

I find the LFS's don't order specific species of fish, rather you seem to have to pick from what they have in stock...does anyone have recommendations for online suppliers who they know are reliable through personal experience?

 

[onidrase]

The raphaels should be fine, though I don't know what a polleni is, as long as its not big enough to snack on a bulky, armored, barbed from head to toe 8 inch catfish, they should be fine too. I've got 3 of them in my 75 gallon and they don't take #106### from nobody.

 

[JDs4me]

The raphaels should be fine, though I don't know what a polleni is, as long as its not big enough to snack on a bulky, armored, barbed from head to toe 8 inch catfish, they should be fine too. I've got 3 of them in my 75 gallon and they don't take #106### from nobody.

Thanks for that, I feel the choice is OK then...polleni is similar in size and temperament as dempseys from what I've read so far.

 

[Wills]

Polleni are quite aggressive though you do get tame ones they have massive mouths as well and not sure if they would be able to get through the catfish but the Dempsey might be out matched. I know of a few that have taken down big male Nics and Veijas.

It could be worth a try but just be ready with a back up plan - spare tank or tank divider etc.

Wills

 

[JDs4me]

Polleni are quite aggressive though you do get tame ones they have massive mouths as well and not sure if they would be able to get through the catfish but the Dempsey might be out matched. I know of a few that have taken down big male Nics and Veijas.

It could be worth a try but just be ready with a back up plan - spare tank or tank divider etc.

Wills

thanks Wills; I thought that as the female is smaller I might get away with that alongside a male Dempsey of comparable size? A second tank planned but not immediately so will have a divider to hand!

 

[onidrase]

From what I've been told, the aggression of Jack Dempseys is severely over exaggerated on most websites and such. I'd be a Tad worried about putting them in a tank with a truely aggressive fish. But once again, the other fish in question is one that I've never heard of

 

[JDs4me]

From what I've been told, the aggression of Jack Dempseys is severely over exaggerated on most websites and such. I'd be a Tad worried about putting them in a tank with a truely aggressive fish. But once again, the other fish in question is one that I've never heard of

full name Paratilapia Polleni, madagascan cichlid also known as Black Diamond Cichlid...mmm, might just stick with Dempseys for this tank then and do the Polleni in the next one which I plan to be larger and probably more suitable - thanks for your input

 

[onidrase]

From what I've been told, the aggression of Jack Dempseys is severely over exaggerated on most websites and such. I'd be a Tad worried about putting them in a tank with a truely aggressive fish. But once again, the other fish in question is one that I've never heard of

full name Paratilapia Polleni, madagascan cichlid also known as Black Diamond Cichlid...mmm, might just stick with Dempseys for this tank then and do the Polleni in the next one which I plan to be larger and probably more suitable - thanks for your input

Oh, black diamond, thats more recognizable.. I'd wait till you have a bigger tank in such a case, honestly

 

[dbanner]

I wanted a polleni for my 180 litre tank with no other tank mates but was advised it would need 250 litres on the look out for something else now

 

[JDs4me]

they are beautiful looking fish aren't they? The male can reach 12" length however so onidrase is bang on, my 260 litres won't be enough for that big boy!

 

[onidrase]

With a 260 liter, I'd try for just the Jack Dempsey, some larger schooling fish, I think giant danios would work, or a small school of silver dollars, the Raphaels, and maybe 1 or 2 medium sized cichlids the Dempsey won't kill. Convicts come to mind. A problem I've come to see when it comes to keeping jds with other big fish in relatively small tanks is that the Dempsey will get more aggressive toward other cichlids due to lack of territory space. But thats just my own observation from peoples stories at work.

 

[JDs4me]

With a 260 liter, I'd try for just the Jack Dempsey, some larger schooling fish, I think giant danios would work, or a small school of silver dollars, the Raphaels, and maybe 1 or 2 medium sized cichlids the Dempsey won't kill. Convicts come to mind. A problem I've come to see when it comes to keeping jds with other big fish in relatively small tanks is that the Dempsey will get more aggressive toward other cichlids due to lack of territory space. But thats just my own observation from peoples stories at work.

giant danios as I recall are fast,active and fun to watch, but would the Dempsey not consider them to be lunch? I would be happy keeping it at just the Dempsey, the Raphaels and the Danios if that would work, as I dont want to cramp their style! great advice, thanks

 

[onidrase]

With a 260 liter, I'd try for just the Jack Dempsey, some larger schooling fish, I think giant danios would work, or a small school of silver dollars, the Raphaels, and maybe 1 or 2 medium sized cichlids the Dempsey won't kill. Convicts come to mind. A problem I've come to see when it comes to keeping jds with other big fish in relatively small tanks is that the Dempsey will get more aggressive toward other cichlids due to lack of territory space. But thats just my own observation from peoples stories at work.

giant danios as I recall are fast,active and fun to watch, but would the Dempsey not consider them to be lunch? I would be happy keeping it at just the Dempsey, the Raphaels and the Danios if that would work, as I dont want to cramp their style! great advice, thanks

If you get a big school of them, I think they'd be okay. They get pretty big, and they're commonly used as dithers and such with big fish. I'd get a second or third opinion before getting a group of them though. I'd also look into some medium sized loaches or more active bottom feeders to accompany the Raphael catfish. If I've learned anything from keeping these guys, its that they are utterly nocturnal, you'll rarely ever see them. You could also look into a group of pictus catfish. Their activity would really compliment the danios.

 

[JDs4me]

I am a little put off by the size issue with the giant danios then as I really don't want to overstock...with you on the pictus catfish (gtreat fun to watch), but is there not as problem with adult cichlids trying to eat them and getting a mouth full of spines for their trouble? Are there any cats that you are aware of where this wouldn't be a problem?

 

[Dieses Madchen]

From what I've been told, the aggression of Jack Dempseys is severely over exaggerated on most websites and such. I'd be a Tad worried about putting them in a tank with a truely aggressive fish. But once again, the other fish in question is one that I've never heard of

I agree as the only time my jacks have ever been aggressive was when they spawned. I watched my 3 inch female have a go at my oscars to protect her eggs. She had those oscars cowering in corners. When there is no spawn involved, they are pretty docile fish IME