Which Dwarf Cichlid

[Flubberlump]

I've set up my new tank, and am looking to buy fish in the next two or three weeks. I want a pair of dwarf cichlids, but I'm not sure which would be best. It's a 120 litre Juwel lido, high tech, heavily planted with co2 injection and ferts, and loads of caves and cover. Temperature 25C, pH 8, GH 260.

Other stocking will be:
10 lampeye killies
10 rummy nose tetras
6 kuhli loaches
6 albino/peppered corys
4 otocinclus

I think the pH and GH are too high for GBRs, and I'm concerned about the apistos getting aggressive if they breed (especially with the corys), but I believe bolivians can grow a bit bigger than the others?

Please let me know what you choose and why.

Any help appreciated! Thanks.

Edit: sorry, accidentally submitted the post before I'd finished.

 

[Salam]

What is your other stock?

 

[kizno1]

It depends on the tank size and stocking really but there a lot more to choose from than that. Red breasted acara/Laetacara dorsigera or a few other types of Laetacara, Checkerboard cichlids/Dicrossus filamentosus or Dicrossus maculatus, loads of other types of Apistogramma or depending on stocking if you want somethig a little different Dwarf pike cichlids like Crenicichla compressiceps or Crenicichla regani.

 

[mattlee]

with otos, khuli loaches and corys i would go for the less aggresive bolivian ram from the list but as kizno said there are a few other choices out there. your water is too cold also for GBR's they like it hot 28-30 degrees C.

 

[ApistoNut]

Why not get some Golden Dwarf Acara they will fit perfect into your set up? My lfs had some the other day not to hard to get hold of

but I think they only grow to 2.5" max not good enough

OK!!!!! I GOT IT Get some Pelvicachromis pulcher aka Kribensis

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

If your tank was a 120l with just a tiny bit smaller dimensions than my 140l 120x30x38cm, I would have no concerns about adding more fish (in this case a peaceful tropical cichlid pair), but the squat Lido120 (just like my Aqua One 620T) with 61x41x58cm dimensions are easy to overstock. Yes they have decent volume, but the surface area is little more than a 54l 60x30x30cm tank, vastly reducing gaseous exchange and so the relatively massive depth soes not automatically mean more fish can be added.

My 620T just has six Nannostomus beckfordi and one Hypoptopma (sp. 2?) in it, which is understocked, but I'm only thinking about adding either a more peaceful dwarf cichlid pair or a schooling group (a "Rummynose" Tetra variant or Corydoras hastatus/habrosus/pygmeus).

Edit: Please do not get a pair of Kribs as suggested above, your exisitng fish have nowhere to escape like they would in a 3-foot or greater tank and they will be killed if they accidentally get within 6" of the Krib fry.

 

[Flubberlump]

I forgot to add kribs to the list! I do think they'll fit pretty well actually having looked at them again. A pair of them would be pretty good.

Any other suggestions?

 

[mattlee]

kribs can get very territorial if you get a pair and corys, loaches etc arent great tank mates.

 

[ApistoNut]

I have had many of discussions about overstocking? How do you know when your overstocked?? When your fish die?? As long as its upkeep then you will be fine, look at those mad malwai set ups!!! Hey Goat you need to join our group on BCA mate

 

[kizno1]

Personally i wouldnt go for Kribs, they can be a little nippy and with a pair if they ever breed your other fish will be in for a hard time. If you have otos, khuli loaches and corys like Matt said personally i would go your a type of Apisto or Laetacara. N0body Of The Goat also made a good point about dimensions and with already having Khulis and Corys if the tank hasnt got a large foot print your definitely going to want to stay away from something like Kribs.

 

[Flubberlump]

Ok, no kribs then. I've never kept dwarf cichlids so all I know is what I've read online, that's why I'm looking for advice and opinions. Thanks for all of the help so far.

 

[ApistoNut]

All cichlids are territorial c'mon, if it doesnt work sell hem and try something else. You have to start somewhere I did LOL I had a 129l tank with 10 tiger barbs 2 rtbs 2 male and 3 female dwarf gouramis some ballon mollies and neon tetras LMAO what a shambles that was!!!

 

[Flubberlump]

I do think tank maintenance has a lot to do with stocking levels, and I'm very efficient when it comes to that. I'm looking at getting a powerhead too to increase circulation, the plants will produce extra oxygen (and there are lots of them), and I have an airstone running at night when the co2 is off.

The size of the footprint is why I thought bolivians wouldn't be the best choice as they're bigger. I'd not looked at laetacara before, they look like they'd be a good choice for my setup.

 

[kizno1]

The size of the footprint is why I thought bolivians wouldn't be the best choice as they're bigger. I'd not looked at laetacara before, they look like they'd be a good choice for my setup.

I used to have 6 Laetacara dorsigera, and there great fish. The only time i ever saw any aggression from them was when the 2 males met which didnt happen often because they have caves at opposite ends of the tank but when they did within seconds the turn into one of the most stunning fish. They go a really deep brown with a bright red throat, its stunning.

 

[Flubberlump]

I wouldn't be getting 6 lol. Only a pair.