Can someone recommend a small Cichlid I can breed?

[Seb R]

Was wondering what to put in my 70L tank, I just sold all my guppies and want something that will not eat its own eggs #cough# my Rams #cough#.

I was thinking about some kinds of Apistos, but I know nothing about them . Whats the best and smallest cichlid I can get? (that won't kill other fish) Oh and also something I can find in England!

 

[Ben]

rams/apistos, any kind

they probably ate the eggs because it was their first go

DD

 

[Raechal]

Yea, Rams are usually pretty good with their eggs once they get used to it.

 

[Seb R]

lol well they should be laying thier 5th batch tonight ...

but after a day they'll get bored and eat them!
oh yer and are apistos cave spawners? cos i think i'll get some

 

[Peter Lovett]

Where in england do you live because the water over much of the country is not advantageous to the hatching of south American dwarf cichlids. If your water is too hard or the pH is too high this can stop the eggs from getting fertilised. If this is the case the fish will eat the brood of egg as not to waste the energy stored in them.

If you would like to try your had at Apistogrammas then you will more than likely find 3 different specie.

Apistogramma agassizii
Apistogramma borellii
Apistogramma cacatuoides

If your water is hard and and has a high pH agassizii will not be a good choise the other two however should be okay.

If however you really want to give apisto breeding a go it may well be a good idea to get an RO unit.

 

[lucky62]

Also

Lateacara curviceps

Lateacara dorsiger

Nannacara anomala

 

[Seb R]

thanks for some names

Does adding rain water help stop it being hard?

I live in the south-east (near london) so I'm not really sure what my water is like

oh and r those fish happy in a community?

oh btw nice fish.. looked them up on google

 

[Peter Lovett]

The south east or at least Thames water area is very hard. I live in High Wycombe, bucks the water for the tap has a TDS of over 340ppm.

Adding rain water will reduce the hardness of your water.

Yes all the fish I listed and the ones lucky62 on list are good community fish.Lateacara curviceps, Lateacara dorsiger and Nannacara anomala will not breed that well in hardwater.

 

[mematrix77]

Hey You all Forgot Pelvichromis spiecies pulcher humilis tieniatus ect ect almost all will readly breed in the community tank even though they are not southamerican they are very simular in needs as south americans except there water req are more forgiving most live in slitly acidic water 6.5 -7.8 hard and are quite interesting Sincerely from across the pond Curtis

 

[Peter Lovett]

I agree Pelvichromis are relatively easy to breed and are very interesting fish. However getting a good sex ratio is however quite complicated being that it has more to do with ph than temp which is the most important requirement for Apistogrammas.

Also it can some time be difficult to get a compatible pair.

 

[Seb R]

I might gets some kribs, as my cousin has had alot of success with them, but I'm not 100% sure, I really hate having fish that might upset the balance if you know what I mean. Are they a bit too boysterous for guppies?

 

[parker313]

I might gets some kribs, as my cousin has had alot of success with them, but I'm not 100% sure, I really hate having fish that might upset the balance if you know what I mean. Are they a bit too boysterous for guppies?

No, they shouldn't be. They will defend their cave once they get a spot picked out, but they won't go around bullying and causing trouble. When I first got my kribs, I thought my male was going to kill my female, but when I came back from a 10 day vacation, they are now inseparable and my female has developed the most gorgeous "breeding" colors.

If your rams are eating their eggs, are they in a community tank? If so, they could be eating the eggs b/c they feel threatened....

 

[Seb R]

True about the Rams. But also my once small and cute male got big and full of testosterone, he spends most of his time flashing his colours and bullying the female and he's only a Ram!

I'm gonna go to the store today, just to check there arn't any cichlids I can get under 2inches?

 

[Ben]

why dont you try Bolivian Rams?theyremuch mroe hardier then Blue/Gold Rams and dont grow big at all

DD

 

[Seb R]

Can bolivian Rams cross breed with normal Rams?

Its just I've got to get a new mate for my big 'Bull' male (he may be angry but he is the most beautiful Ram I've ever seen or owned! )