High Ph Dwarf Cichlids

[tenohfive]

I posted about this awhile ago, but have been laid up in bed sick for the better part of the last week so I thought I'd start a new thread.

I'm slowly setting up a smallish cichlid tank - 3ftx1ftx 1ft (about 85L) and have a very high pH. My dechlor pushes it higher, but its 7.4 at the tap. I'm looking for a few species that will tolerate high pH - in the region of 7.6. If there are enough varieties to choose from I'll go ahead, but if theres not I'll have to think about adding peat etc to lower my pH - which is very high maintenance, and I'd sooner get around my pH issues with fish selection rather than messing about with peat if I can.

So far I've been told of two species that can tolerate pH that high - does anyone else have any suggestions?


Neolamprologus multifasciatus
Lamprologus ocellatus
Neolamprologus_brichardi

Thanks.

 

[minxfishy]

Hi Tenohfive, all my SA cichlids are in ph 7.6 with no problems whatsoever, I just drip acclimatised them before adding them to my tanks.

Most shop bought species will be accustomed to the ph of the fish store, you can always ask each store what their ph is if you are concerened.

I added 5 BH tetras that had been in tap/RO water mix of 3.4ph (this one store insists on low ph for his cichlids) and I have had no problems with them at all after acclimatisation, in fact they have thrived and already almost doubled in sized in the last month.

Ive got Geo's, GBR's and Bolivians in 7.6ph its not that high - I also have quite hard water too.

Sorry you've not been well, hope your feeling better now

 

[tenohfive]

Cheers. I'm hoping to pop round to see Weisels fairy cichlids (Neolamprologus brichardi) as they're pretty good, and I've added them to the list.

I'm hoping to get away with Apistogramma Cacatuoides (probably spelled that wrong,) fairy cichlids and the others I've posted above to start with. I really know sod all about dwarf cichlids (other than my experiences with my rams) and am struggling to get to know the different types, much less their origins and preferences.

 

[kj23502]

I'm slowly setting up a smallish cichlid tank - 3ftx1ftx 1ft (about 85L) and have a very high pH. My dechlor pushes it higher, but its 7.4 at the tap. I'm looking for a few species that will tolerate high pH - in the region of 7.6. If there are enough varieties to choose from I'll go ahead, but if theres not I'll have to think about adding peat etc to lower my pH - which is very high maintenance, and I'd sooner get around my pH issues with fish selection rather than messing about with peat if I can.

So far I've been told of two species that can tolerate pH that high - does anyone else have any suggestions?


Neolamprologus multifasciatus
Lamprologus ocellatus
Neolamprologus_brichardi

Thanks.

Um those are African Cichlids...not New World

 

[tenohfive]

To be honest I'm new to cichlids, and the only dwarves I have any experience of so far are Blue Rams (which live in my community tank.) If suitable I'm happy to mix New World and African cichlids - and this forum seems to get the most traffic.

Are there any new world dwarves that tolerate high pH and are OK to mix with african dwarves?

 

[bricko]

I too am very new to keeping new world cichlids. Though I doubt you will be able to have more than 1 pair of anything in an 85L tank due territorial issues. Also mixing african and New world cichlids is a big no-no as they require very different water chemistry, diet etc....

Suggest you read the pinned topic I have supplied a link to below

http/www.fishforums.net/content/New-Worl...World-Cichlids/

All the best with your setup,

Cheers,

Bricko

 

[minxfishy]

Yeah you really shouldnt mix african and SA cichlids, they need different environments, I doubt the SA's would fair well with Africans (not that I know anything about Africans).

If you look at the top of the forum, the species index, all the SA's are listed and will give you a better idea of which you could mix and their preferred environment, as Ive said I dont think your ph is too high for most, it just takes a little careful planning.

As you know Rams are ok, I would say Geo's, Apisto's, Keyholes would also be fine. I see now problem with your plan for the Apisto's

Edit: Link for SA cichlids: http/www.fishforums.net/category/42/Cich...South-American/

 

[tenohfive]

I'm looking to add dwarf cichlids as opposed to the usual, full sized flavour of cichlids-so I'm expecting to fit a few more fish than just the one pair. There are some flavours of dwarf cichlid (such as apistogramma eunotus) that share similar conditions to african cichlids.

As a loose rule of thumb its smart not to mix new world and africans from what I can see; that said, there are certain species that will tolerate the same conditions, and can mix happily in a community. Theres no doubt there will be territory issues, so I'm looking to create a lot of small territories in the way I aquascape the tank. I'm trying to find ones that can tolerate my local water conditions, and I'll dig then into whether or not they're suitable to mix in my tank.
Thanks though, any new reading materials appreciated

 

[bricko]

If you want quite a few fish then I think African cichlids would be the way to go as you are better off overstocking. Not really sure about the minimum tank specs etc for them though sorry....

Its not just the size of the fish with SA cichlids as a pair would still need a largish territory to thrive and in 85L I doubt you would get more than a pair co-habiting without issues, again I am no expert but I have researched SA cichlids thoroughly and recieved quite a bit of sound advice on this forum and others. Seeing as the tank is 3'' long maybe you could get away with 2 pairs of less agressive dwarf cichlids eg GB Rams, Bolivian Rams, Keyholes. Or a hareem of Apistogramma of some type. I believe any of these would do OK in your PH range, though lowering it would help. Have you thought about using RO water in your tanks? that way you could easily re-buffer the water to suit whatever parameters you desire for your fish. If you are on a water meter it might be cheeper to buy it from your LFS than 'invest' in a RO unit as they are very wasteful. You have about the same PH as me, I live in Derbyshire and the water is also VERY hard! I use RO water 100% of the time and re-mineralise it for the fish requirements.

I have also JUST set up a tank intended for SA cichlids. Link below;

http/www.fishforums.net/content/Members-...375/Trigon-190/


All the best tenohfive,

Cheers, Bricko

 

[tenohfive]

Cheers. And sorry minx, missed your post when I replying, only just seen it now.

The more I look into this, the more I'm inclined to agree with you. Back to the original mixed apisto idea then, cheers