Community-Safe Cichlids

[Cú Mhara]

I'm looking for a cichlid to keep in my community tank. At the moment, the clear front-runner is the Bolivian Ram. However, I am very open to getting something a bit more eye-catching, if possible. The tank is 190 litres; 36 x 18 x 18.

I really like the look of Firemouths but have read conflicting reports as to their suitability for a community tank. I've been told that they will be OK with larger species of Tetra but I've also read that they should only be kept with similarly sized fish. I've also had a read up on the T-bar cichlid, Rainbow cichlid, and many others. I'd really appreciate some conclusive advice on cichlids that could safely be housed with some of the following fish:

Beckford Pencilfish
Rummynose / Bloodfin / Lemon / Diamond (Tetras)
Neon Dwarf Rainbow
Honey Gourami
Platy
Corydoras
Bristlenose Plec
Kuhli Loach

I don't intend to keep all of those fish; just a selection. I've gone right off the idea of Apistos, and I don't like the Blue Rams. I'd be prepared to completely alter my stocking list if I could find a way of keeping something really eye-catching in a community (i.e. keeping bigger Tetras with a Firemouth, or something).

As ever, any and all advice will be greatly appreciated.

 

[minnnt]

Rainbow Cichlids would work well. A single Firemouth would be fine with a group of Tetra's such as the Rosy or the Lemon. You could consider one of their relatives such as the Aureus, Ellioti, Mixteco Gold etc.

Sajica's are nice, but if you ended up with a pair they will probably cause havoc with tankmates.

You say you have gone off of Apisto's, what are the reasons for that?

 

[Wills]

I would consider the Rainbows for me Firemouths and relatives might be a bit much for some of the fish in there.

Sajicas can be okay as solos but if you had a pair it would cause havoc they are among the worst for territorial killings.

If your not opposed to rehoming some of your fish there are quite a few more options for you in that kind of tank.

Also looking back at all the species what are you numbers like for 190 liters for schooling fish there is already a fair amount in there.

Wills

 

[Cú Mhara]

Rainbow Cichlids would work well. A single Firemouth would be fine with a group of Tetra's such as the Rosy or the Lemon. You could consider one of their relatives such as the Aureus, Ellioti, Mixteco Gold etc.

Sajica's are nice, but if you ended up with a pair they will probably cause havoc with tankmates.

You say you have gone off of Apisto's, what are the reasons for that?

I guess it's a combination of the fact that I have hard water, the cost of them, and that I've read that they have short lifespans. I had a look at some (Viejita, Cacatuoides, Agassizi, Borelli) in my LFS and I wasn't too taken with them. I thought the Cacatuoides were definitely the most pleasing on the eye - they're possibly one for the future, and could see myself setting up a breeding tank for them at some point.

Whichever fish I decide on, I'm pretty set on getting a minimum of two of them.

I would consider the Rainbows for me Firemouths and relatives might be a bit much for some of the fish in there.

Sajicas can be okay as solos but if you had a pair it would cause havoc they are among the worst for territorial killings.

If your not opposed to rehoming some of your fish there are quite a few more options for you in that kind of tank.

Also looking back at all the species what are you numbers like for 190 liters for schooling fish there is already a fair amount in there.

Wills

I don't actually have any of those fish, at the moment. That was just a hypothetical list of certain fish I'd be interested in keeping. I won't be getting all of them; only an appropriate amount of some of that list.

 

[minnnt]

If you're wanting a pair then you will have to stick to something dwarf. Cryptoheros and Thorichthys in pairs will be to ott for a community tank imo.

The Red Breasted Acara would be worth a look, as would the Golden Eye Cichlid.

I have never read anything about life span issues in Apisto's either. Mine are in 7.6 and fairly hard water and are thriving! Have a look at my pictures, you will see them in all their glory.

 

[Cú Mhara]

If you're wanting a pair then you will have to stick to something dwarf. Cryptoheros and Thorichthys in pairs will be to ott for a community tank imo.

The Red Breasted Acara would be worth a look, as would the Golden Eye Cichlid.

I have never read anything about life span issues in Apisto's either. Mine are in 7.6 and fairly hard water and are thriving! Have a look at my pictures, you will see them in all their glory.

So a pair of Rainbows wouldn't work? I like the look of the Golden Eye Cichlid but my LFS only had two lonely and stressed out looking males (each taking up residence in opposite corners of a tank crammed with various dwarfs).

Brilliant photos, by the way.

 

[Cú Mhara]

I'm really liking the look of Keyholes. I've read that they're pretty chilled. How many do you guys reckon I should get, were I to choose them? And I take it they'd be all right with most of what's on my list?

 

[Cú Mhara]

We have a new contender! Laetacara Curviceps. I really enjoy their odd shape and they're apparently very peaceful, too! Would a group of 4 be advisable for my tank, along with some Rummynose Tetras, Corys (or Kulhis), Pencilfish, and a BN Plec?

 

[minnnt]

Curviceps are nice, but Laetacara Anomala (golden eye) are more colourful. Keyholes are amazing, my favourite of all. A pair of Rainbows would be fine also.

With Laetacara you only want 1 male in a group of 3 or 4. 4 Keyholes would also be ok.

All will be fine with the proposed stocking too.

 

[Cú Mhara]

Yeah, I really like the look of Keyholes. My LFS doesn't stock them, though. I've still got a bit of time to decide. Perhaps I can get them to order me some in.

Thanks again for your help.

 

[Cú Mhara]

Is there any chance Angelfish could work in a tank like mine? I've read that they can be kept as lone specimens but then I've also read that unless you have a breeding pair, you should have a minimum of 6. Which is correct?

At the moment I'm thinking:

4 Keyholes
10 Rummynose Tetra
5 Kuhli Loach / 6 Sterbai Cory
3 Honey Gourami
6 Golden Pencilfish
1 BN Plec

My plan B is:

4 African Butterfly Cichlid
12 Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish
5 Kulhi Loach
6 Golden Pencilfish
1 BN Plec

 

[minnnt]

Angels would work without a doubt. 1 is ok, but a group is better.

Plan A over plan B, Thomasi are nice cichlids though. I would go with Cories over Khuli's too. Just personal preference though. There is a very similar thread below that you could have a look at too, the APS 250L.

 

[Cú Mhara]

Angels would work without a doubt. 1 is ok, but a group is better.

Plan A over plan B, Thomasi are nice cichlids though. I would go with Cories over Khuli's too. Just personal preference though. There is a very similar thread below that you could have a look at too, the APS 250L.

I did have a nose in there already, hence the new addition of Angels to the wishlist!

How would you stock my Plan A, were you to include Angels? My filter is the Fluval 404 but I've also got an internal I could chuck in, if I'm going to be short on filtration.

 

[minnnt]

Remove the Pencils and get 4-6 juvenile Angels. If they happen to pair then rehome the rest. I would have 2 BN's too.

 

[Cú Mhara]

Right, apologies for the delay in replying but I've been away with no internet for what seemed like a lifetime! I've had a lot of time to think and I'm now quite set on the following:


4 Bolivian Rams
2 BN Plec
6 Peppered Cory
6 Diamond Tetra
6 Lemon Tetra
4 Angelfish
6 Golden Pencilfish / Marbled Hatchetfish

What do you reckon, minnnt?