Bolivian Butterfly And Blue Acara As Tankmates?

[Fische Schlampe]

Hi there,

I'm new to this forum and I have been keeping tropical fish for a few years and I'm interested in hearing your opinion on keeping a community tank with a pair Blue Acara's and a pair Bolivian Butterfly Cichlids together.

The tank is 3 foot and I have had dwarf cichlids before. I plan also on
having corydoras, bristlenose's and some other fishies. ( oh the fun chooseing )

At the moment my Blue Acaras are 3 inches and I want
to introduce the Bolivians before the acaras get any larger.
I know the acaras can be agressive but I've learnt that psychology
can work on some fish.
Worked wonders with my psychotic fish Beazalbub

So like I said I would love to hear what you have to say or if you have kept them together yourself.

Cheers

ps. I plan to keep it heavily planted and use wood and 'stuff' to help create possible territories,
hidng places and visual barriers.

 

[Fish Guy]

Well like you mentioned the Acaras will be the aggressors in the tank. They may be ok as the other fish won't pose much threat to them in terms of territories. So as you mentioned as well, lots of caves and plants are key. But keep an eye on the rams to make sure htey aren't getting a hard time from the acaras.

 

[Fische Schlampe]

I ended up getting my bolivians yesterday and they are in the new tank. I'm keeping the blue acaras in the breeder net at the moment so everyone can get use to their new surroundings. I went to town buying heaps of driftwood and plants and have created what I like to think of as a master piece
The bolivians are busy fighting amongst themselves and I hope when I set my acaras loose they will be savy enough to take care of themselves. I've included rosy barbs as decoys. I really hope this works out how I planned. ( well doesnt everyone? )

 

[Fische Schlampe]

Just so you know I've added my blue acaras to the new tank today. The bolivian butterflys actually went up to them and displayed dominance over the tank which I thought was pretty cool and the acaras get along just fine with them even though the boli's are half their size. The acaras ignore the small rosy barbs ( who are deliberatly snack size ) and the little albino corydoras ( one has swum head first into the acaras a couple times ) The only problem is that they are chasing the panda corydora whenever they see it. I dont understand why they have singled it out but if this behaviour continues then its back to fishie prison for them. I plan to get a few more pandas when I can find some. It might just be that he needs some buddies to back him up.

http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHncxCEa6rU

 

[Fische Schlampe]

At the moment the acaras are 8cm,the bolivians are 5.5cm and apart from the bristlenoses everyone else is around 2/ 2.5cm
3 of the rosy barbs have disapeared but thats to be expected as I bought them as feeder fish. The acaras are a bit bossy but then so are the bolivians. They all seem to be getting on well although the panda corydora gets singled out.

 

[snowflake311]

It will be fine till the acaras grow or start to breed. Or you can just hope you got nice blue acaras because some are not that aggressive. If you have lots of hide outs it will be better.