Community-Safe Cichlids

[minnnt]

The only issue I see is that peppered cories thrive in cooler water. Sterbai would be a better choice imo.

 

[mossonthemoon]

Hi, I am considering a set-up that is quite similar to yours, so I will be watching this with interest. I am still a ways off from adding any significant numbers of fish, but love to plan ahead. I have to have emperor tetras because I already have one that is desperate for some company, but have been gradually warming to the idea of angels. I am still very undecided, though. Do you plan on moving your angels into a larger tank someday, or is this your permanent tank for this group? I ask because I think my current tank will have to be my permanent, which will obviously affect my stocking.

 

[Cú Mhara]

The only issue I see is that peppered cories thrive in cooler water. Sterbai would be a better choice imo.

Sterbai are quite a bit more expensive at my LFS. I'll have to find an alternative, I think. Thanks so much for all your help.

Hi, I am considering a set-up that is quite similar to yours, so I will be watching this with interest. I am still a ways off from adding any significant numbers of fish, but love to plan ahead. I have to have emperor tetras because I already have one that is desperate for some company, but have been gradually warming to the idea of angels. I am still very undecided, though. Do you plan on moving your angels into a larger tank someday, or is this your permanent tank for this group? I ask because I think my current tank will have to be my permanent, which will obviously affect my stocking.

I'm sure I will end up getting a bigger tank at some point, but I'm not actually planning to.

So, minnnt, one last thing: will the Pencils be OK in there? I was a little concerned about them but can't find much about compatibility.

 

[minnnt]

Should be ok. Not really up on Pencils though. Beckfordi are stunning though.

With the Sterbai, build the group up slowly. They're worth it. You don't need the full group in one go. Build it up over a period of a few months.

 

[Cú Mhara]

I was having a look today and they had a couple of tanks full of some new cichlids. The three that caught my eye were the Blue Acara, Bandit Cichlid, and Thorichthys Ellioti. The short research I've done since getting home has left me very confused because I haven't found much solid information about any of them. Could any of them work? I remember you suggested Ellioti in your first post in this thread, and they really are beautiful fish. I've just finished reading a piece in which they are described as being suitable for a community, even when breeding (which struck me as odd), but thought I'd ask you for a second opinion. I wouldn't mind a reshuffle of the stock list in order to fit them in, within reason.

Sorry for all the questions!

 

[Cú Mhara]

Also: Columbian Red Fin Tetras. Would they be OK as a substitute for the other tetras I've mentioned? I'm thinking either Diamonds and Columbians, or just a large group of Colombians.

 

[Cú Mhara]

OK, I'm still up and have been reading non-stop for the last 8 hours. Have I gone insane, or could this work?

2 Bristlenose Plec
4 Blue Acara / T. Ellioti / T-Bar / Bandit Cichlid
4 Angelfish
Some Swordtails

Failing that I could drop out the Angels and one of the BNPs. I'm all of a sudden really taken with the idea of a group of (plant-friendly-ish) CA cichlids (+1 BNP)
at the bottom, with a load of Swordtails for interest at the top. I think all of this research has driven me crazy.

Am I crazy?

 

[Dazzler666]

Yes ... You are .... Gonr Crazy i mean!!! ☺ lol. Dont quote me on this as im new to the larger cichlid scene myself and am In a similar boat (pardon the pun!!!).
Maybe its me (well quite likely!!) but i believe from research that Elliotti, acaras, t-bars can get upto 6-8" EACH!!! 4 of these type of fish along with Angels which are not small i think is somewhat overstocking for a 190 litre tank but again, dont take my word for it! i have a 5ft 420 litre and have just got a blue acara and a t-bar added to various others in my community tank so i shall watch this thread with great interest!! .
I could easily be wrong but just seems a lot of large and potentially aggressive fish (they are Cichlids after all!!) for that size tank but hey, im sure some far more knowledgable people on here will guide you!! .
Hope you work your stocking out to your liking!!

 

[Cú Mhara]

Well, having had a little sleep, I've thought up something else:

1 BNP
1 Blue Acara
1 T. Ellioti
1 T-Bar Cichlid
1 Bandit Cichlid
1 Rainbow Cichlid
1 Angelfish
Swordtails

Possible? I'd be happy to remove anything from the list that doesn't quite work, but is the idea solid? I don't know why it took me so long to workout that keeping singles could solve the problem of aggro between breeding pairs!

 

[minnnt]

Well, having had a little sleep, I've thought up something else:

1 BNP
1 Blue Acara
1 T. Ellioti
1 T-Bar Cichlid
1 Bandit Cichlid
1 Rainbow Cichlid
1 Angelfish
Swordtails

Possible? I'd be happy to remove anything from the list that doesn't quite work, but is the idea solid? I don't know why it took me so long to workout that keeping singles could solve the problem of aggro between breeding pairs!

The problem is that they are still all going to want their own teritory and your tank just can't offer them that. Each fish you mention has the potential to reach 6" apart from the Swordtails which can hit 4" quite easily.

 

[Cú Mhara]

I see. So I'm best off just doing the community plus some dwarf cichlids and angels, then?

 

[minnnt]

IMO yes.

 

[Cú Mhara]

Hi, I am considering a set-up that is quite similar to yours, so I will be watching this with interest. I am still a ways off from adding any significant numbers of fish, but love to plan ahead. I have to have emperor tetras because I already have one that is desperate for some company, but have been gradually warming to the idea of angels. I am still very undecided, though. Do you plan on moving your angels into a larger tank someday, or is this your permanent tank for this group? I ask because I think my current tank will have to be my permanent, which will obviously affect my stocking.

Just to let you know, in the event that you are still on the fence, I went with the following:

2 Bristlenose Plecos
3 Hoplos
15 Diamond Tetras
8 Ornate Tetras
6 Angelfish

Everything's really small at the moment, and I've also got 4 Swordtails and 4 Mollies in there right now. I reckon they'll be getting shifted on at some point, though. I've got an Aquamanta EFX 300 and I might add another filter somewhere down the line, but so far so good. I'm also considering adding a group of Corydoras, at some point.

 

[bikerfish]

Hi I have 3 keyhole cichilds in my community tank and they are brilliant fish and mine is a 180lt with cories and guppys with no problems from them
cathy

 

[Cú Mhara]

I'm definitely a fan of Keyholes. I recently passed some on to my cousin but I may end up getting some more, space permitting.