Can I Get More Cichlids?

[celaeno]

I'm wondering if I can get more cichlids for my 40g breeder. I'm thinking of a trio of apistos, a couple of bolivian rams, or maybe even 2 more Laetacara dorsigera.

My current stock list:

1 Laetacara dorsigera
4 Upside-down catfish
6 White cloud mountain minnows
5 Head-and-tail light tetras
2 Honey gouramis
1 SAE
2 Otos

 

[slimbolen99]

Hmm, I would almost suggest sticking with one species of cichlid. If it were me, I'd go with something like this:

1 trio of apistogramma
OR
2 pair of Laetacara dorsigera
OR
2 pair of Bolivian rams

and

12+ Head-and-tail light tetras
4 Otos

Maybe you can trade your upside down catfish, white clouds, honey gouarmi's, and SAE for something else...or set them up in another tank. That in itself would be a good setup.

 

[Mike Wise]

Since this is a community tank and not designed for breeding, then yes you should be able to add a trio of apistos, or a couple of bolivian rams, or another 2 more L. dorsigera. Choose one, but only one of these choices if you don't want mayhem in your tank.

 

[celaeno]

Would it really be ok to add 2 more L. dorsigera? I'm worried that the smaller fish would have more competition from the dorsigera during feeding time, particularly when I feed frozen (the dorsigera I have now doesn't seem to go for flakes. Also, is there any chance of the dorsigera breeding if I just get 2 more? What about the chances of chasing? I had to give away a male dorsigera a while ago because it was being chased nonstop by the one I have now. I mainly want to get 2 more dorsigera to keep the one I have company, since it looks rather lonely and not so active.

Also, the one I have now is very drab looking from a maracyn treatment a long time ago. Would s/he "fit in" with the new ones if I get them?

Thanks

 

[aquaticclarity]

What size tank are you working with here? That is a HUGE factor in what and how many of anything you canb possibly add.

 

[celaeno]

40g breeder, 36 x 18 x 16H. Stocking is in the 1st post.

 

[aquaticclarity]

Opps! I looked for and missed the tank size in the first post for some reason! Sorry. It must have been to early in the morning...

 

[Mike Wise]

A 40 BR should be large enough to support 3 L. dorsigera. It really depends on layout and the personality of the fish (they are all different). If a pair bonds then you could have problems.

 

[celaeno]

I might start a 20g long just for a couple of dorsigera. Would I be ok stocking it with 4 or 5 dorsigera? As far as algae is concerned, should I get otos or a bn plec? It will be a planted tank.

 

[Mike Wise]

I think that a 20 long is much too small for 4 or 5 dwarf acaras unless they are juveniles. You need to think about your wishes and how they affect the fish you have. Sometimes (often) they do not mesh. Fish, like people, do not do well or live as long when under continuous stress.

 

[Apistomaster]

If you stay with the community tank theme, you might consider getting some Dicrossus filamentosus, Lyretail Checkerboard Cichlids.
I find they mix well with other small Cichlids and since they do not use caves they seem to live among the lower levels among the plants most of the time. They mix well with Apistogramma and I don't know of any reasons why they wouldn't live well with Laetacara species either. Dicrossus filamentosus males are among the most beautiful of the SA Dwarf Cichlids, IMO.
They rarely cost more than about $7.00 each so they are a great deal.
The prices for Apistogramma seem to me to be reaching ridiculously high levels as of late.