Panda Garra and African Cichlids

[Alice B]

I have 4 panda garra in the 100 gallon tank I take care of, and the tropicals got old and moved to my 55. So I was considering angelfish for the tank and my customer wants african cichlids. I don't want dead panda garra. I think they are related to chinese algae eaters, who can live with africans, but I am not sure the panda garra can do this. I have a few days to decide - buying fish next week for quarantine

 

[Alice B]

I looked it up. If he insists on African Cichlids those 4 panda garras will be moving to my 55. with their former tank mates.

 

[jaylach]

Some of this depends on the African Cichlids. If the Pandas are mature I doubt that the Africans would be fast enough to really be a danger to the Pandas especially if the Africans are dwarf but my concern is a quite possible water parameter difference.

 

[Alice B]

he wants brightly colored, most of those aren't dwarf. I'll figure it out. The Pandas are mature

 

[Magnum Man]

Big difference in water parameters between rift lake Cichlids, and Panda Garas

 

[Alice B]

I think the panda garras are moving to my tank. They are so cute and so active and so much fun I don't want to risk them

 

[Colin_T]

Do they want African Rift Lake cichlids or cichlids from rivers with soft water?

I wouldn't put panda garras in with Rift Lake cichlids. They come from different water and most hang out around the bottom, which wouldn't give the panda garras anywhere to live without being attacked.

 

[Alice B]

they want bright colors. I was planning an angelfish, which with plenty of driftwood and their little low "house" ornament etc would have been fine. I think they want rift lake africans and the panda garras will not be in with them

 

[Magnum Man]

Angel won't be good, water wise, with the Rift Lake Cichlids either...

 

[Colin_T]

they want bright colors. I was planning an angelfish, which with plenty of driftwood and their little low "house" ornament etc would have been fine. I think they want rift lake africans and the panda garras will not be in with them

Peacock cichlids (Aulonocara species) are brightly coloured (at least the males are) but need hard water and the panda garras won't be ok with them.

 

[Alice B]

Angel won't be good, water wise, with the Rift Lake Cichlids either...

Not buying them any. I might get a.couple for my house when i have room

 

[anewbie]

Have you ever watched a panda gara fight; most entertaining. Can go on for hours if neither one backs down. Never saw any actual damage but the pair i had that would fight like cat and dogs took months to finally make up and get along (it was a group of 6 and i actually still have them - i think they live forever).

 

[Alice B]

I am looking forward to getting to see these fish. They have been quite lively every time I go to service the tank. How large is your tank @anewbie

 

[anewbie]

I am looking forward to getting to see these fish. They have been quite lively every time I go to service the tank. How large is your tank @anewbie

They were in a 40B; now they are in a 180. They are lively and human friendly; they frequently climb onto my arm/hand when i'm working in the tank. Luckily they don't find me very edible

 

[jaylach]

I absolutely LOVE Pandas even though I don't have any right now. I need to re-home a couple of SA cichlids that killed the Pandas I had. So far I've had no luck getting rid of the cichlids and I refuse to just give them to Petco.

LOL! I'm WELL aware of the human friendly and playful aspect of these beasties. Still they CAN be a a little bit of a pain when trying to work on a tank. When they clamp down on my hand I'm always worried about smashing them against the side of the tank or something...