What Are Some Good Tank Mates?

[kuri33]

I have a female convict cichlid who is 1.5 inches long. I have a 20 gallon long that I hope to move her to in a few days. What other fish can go with her? Other cichlids? Noncichlids? I heard tetras are able to live with cichlids? How many of what fish should I get?

I do plan on having the tank densly planted with lots of hiding spots. She really like the pvc pipe I have in her current tank, so I plan on putting some more in there behind some plants.

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

I have no idea how it would work out, but I did wonder if Ilyodon xantusi (Limones Goodeid) would work well with Convict Cichlids, both being Central American riverine fish; enjoying sub-tropical waters; plus both have a bit of "attitude." The goodeids are certainly making good dithers for my Steaocranus casuarius (Lionhead/Blockhead Cichlid) juveniles, they give as good as they get!

 

[kuri33]

Do petco/petsmart usually sell them? My local petstore has such a small variety and it is never keeping the same fish.

I was hoping that some small fish can live with cichlids though, so there can be a little more movement in the tank.

 

[mattlee]

a group of colombian tetra might work. i had a group in with my ornatums which were a fiesty bunch and the tetra were able to take a bit of stick from them.

 

[kuri33]

a group of colombian tetra might work. i had a group in with my ornatums which were a fiesty bunch and the tetra were able to take a bit of stick from them.

Thank you! How many would you suggest for my tank size?

I don't plan on getting anymore cichlids, but I may get one more in the future.. an Electric Yellow Cichlid or blue..

 

[mattlee]

what is the length of the tank?

electric yellow or blue? arent they african?

 

[kizno1]

A trio of Sword tails would work well being central american aswell. a Trio 1 male 2females should work fine in a tank that size. Thats what im using for my Cutteris

 

[kuri33]

what is the length of the tank?

electric yellow or blue? arent they african?

it's a 20 gallon long. 30 in length, 13in wide, 13 in high.

 

[mattlee]

you could probably get 6-8 in there with the convict. colombians do get quite big for tetras so start with 6-8 and see how they look really, the more the merrier room providing

 

[kuri33]

you could probably get 6-8 in there with the convict. colombians do get quite big for tetras so start with 6-8 and see how they look really, the more the merrier room providing

I got the tank up and running. I have the convict in there and I also have a rosy red minnow in it as well. She watches the minnow and follows it sometimes, but she hasn't tried to hurt it.. So if I might get more of those.. They are $.13, so it seems safe.

 

[mattlee]

the problem is when the convict grows a bit and gains a bit of attitude there is a good chance that the minnows will become a snack. a disc shaped tetra would be more suitable and robust. if you want to try the minnows then by all means its your tank but your convict is small and wont have gained all of its aggression yet.

 

[kuri33]

I understand. I am still very unsure about what I'm doing with that tank lol