Compatibility Issues

[Cichlidslover]

Fine, but what is the unit of measurement? It could be 7.7 degrees GH, or it could by 7.7 mg/l (milligrams per liter) which is the same as ppm (parts per million), or degrees Clark, or whatever. We need to know the unit in order to know the GH.

The pH is fine.

Sorry, 7.7ppm

 

[Byron]

That is very soft water, identical to what I have here in Vancouver.

Livebearers like swordtails and platies are often suggested for tankmates with Firemouths since they all occur in the same geographical area (Mexico), but this needs moderately hard water so I would not go down that road.

With soft water, I would look at some of the larger tetras. Bleeding Heart Tetra (Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma) comes to mind, a group of 7-10.
http://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/hyphessobrycon-erythrostigma/

Lemon Tetra could also work, again a group of 8-10. Another is the Emperor Tetra.
http://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/search/lemon+tetra
http://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/nematobrycon-palmeri/

I've been suggesting fairly robust tetras, adding some varied colour, and not likely to be seen as food. Their activity would probably lessen the Firemouth's shyness once they are all settled. You could also consider a group of Corydoras catfish (8-12) for the lower level, or one to three Whiptail Catfish (Rineloricaria parva, which remains smaller and is very peaceful).
http://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/rineloricaria-parva/

Other options might be some of the peaceful barbs. Just avoid any fin nippers like the Tiger, a bad choice with cichlids. There are several possible species.

Byron.

 

[Cichlidslover]

That is very soft water, identical to what I have here in Vancouver.

Livebearers like swordtails and platies are often suggested for tankmates with Firemouths since they all occur in the same geographical area (Mexico), but this needs moderately hard water so I would not go down that road.

With soft water, I would look at some of the larger tetras. Bleeding Heart Tetra (Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma) comes to mind, a group of 7-10.
http://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/hyphessobrycon-erythrostigma/

Lemon Tetra could also work, again a group of 8-10. Another is the Emperor Tetra.
http://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/search/lemon+tetra
http://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/nematobrycon-palmeri/

I've been suggesting fairly robust tetras, adding some varied colour, and not likely to be seen as food. Their activity would probably lessen the Firemouth's shyness once they are all settled. You could also consider a group of Corydoras catfish (8-12) for the lower level, or one to three Whiptail Catfish (Rineloricaria parva, which remains smaller and is very peaceful).
http://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/rineloricaria-parva/

Other options might be some of the peaceful barbs. Just avoid any fin nippers like the Tiger, a bad choice with cichlids. There are several possible species.

Byron.

Thanks very much. Great ideas

 

[hobby5]

To be honest, if the hardness values are correct, the water is too soft for the T. meeki. Also the tank is to small for them anyway, if you want to keep other fish too. So I would suggest to start over and research some proper stocking. With soft water you will have tons of beautiful options.

 

[Cichlidslover]

To be honest, if the hardness values are correct, the water is too soft for the T. meeki. Also the tank is to small for them anyway, if you want to keep other fish too. So I would suggest to start over and research some proper stocking. With soft water you will have tons of beautiful options.

I used to have 4 firemouths in a a 29 gallon. They not only thrived, they bred regularly. The largest 5", so I don't see why you say the tank is to small.

 

[Cichlidslover]

I am planning on adding either about 4 dwarf gouramis or 2 lyretail and 2 cremecicle mollies.

 

[Cichlidslover]

I got rid of the convicts and added 5 Giant Danios and a plant "wheel". There are plenty of caves andI am planning on adding either about 4 dwarf gouramis or 2 lyretail and 2 cremecicle mollies.

 

[Byron]

Forget mollies, they will slowly die in water as soft as what you have. Mollies, even more than other livebearers, must have moderately hard or harder water as the calcium and magnesium is critical to their physiology. Stay with soft water species.

Now, with regard to those, and what has been mentioned...with giant danios you are getting a fish that is quite active. Gourami are the exact opposite, sedate; the two do not go well together. Active fish will stress out sedate fish, and stress means health problems.

You have the space, and could increase the danios to seven; with shoaling fish, the larger the group the better for the fish, and there is space here to do this. The danio (Devario aequipinnatus) attains about 4 inches.

Byron.

 

[Cichlidslover]

I am trying to add color to the tank. The Danios are nice but would still like something more vibrant.

 

[GobyMaster11276]

I used to have 4 firemouths in a a 29 gallon. They not only thrived, they bred regularly. The largest 5", so I don't see why you say the tank is to small.

Well, it is recommended that they have 30 gallons a pair. So yes, it was too small.

 

[Byron]

I am trying to add color to the tank. The Danios are nice but would still like something more vibrant.

Other danio species, or a peaceful barb species, are options. You just want similarly active fish. Some tetra could work too. I don't really like suggesting species in most cases, as I feel the aquarist should consider what they like rather than what I might like. But I will try to point out any issues I see if species are named.

There is also the substrate level. There are some nice loach species; just make sure they are the smaller (up to 4-5 inches max) and not any of those like the clown loach that get huge (8-12 inches). All loach species are shoaling (as are all danios and barbs) so you want groups, for loaches I would not go below five, with six or seven fine.

Byron.