Community Ciclids

[crimsonrain]

What other community ciclids are there out there besides rams and keyholes? I want to have a ciclid tank with these.

 

[Randall]

Community Dwarf Cichlids

Dear Crimsonrain,

A community dwarf cichlid tank's success is contingent, in part, on how many cichlids are kept and the size of the tank. How the tank is arranged and decorated also plays an important part. Here's list of possible candidates.

Anomalochromis thomasi
Cleithracara maronii
Laetacara curviceps
L. dorsigera
L. flavilabris
L. thayeri
L. sp. "Buckelkopf"
L. sp. "Orange Fin"
Microgeophagus altispinosa
M. ramirezi
Nannacara anomala
Pelvicachromis pulcher
P. roloffi
P. subocellatus
P. taeniatus
P. sp. affin. subocellatus

Some Apistogramma species do better in a community situation than others as well.

Good luck!

Randall Kohn

 

[crimsonrain]

tankmates are tetras,gold rams and 2 guppies now. it has driftwood and rock/pottery caves and fake plants. what would u recommend in a 20 gallon. i could lose the tetras and guppies and have just a dwarf ciclid tank what do u think would be best?i want color and character in my fish...but character is more important

 

[crimsonrain]

also i wouldt want anything that gets too big, like maybe 3 inch? also...what are cacs and are they good in low pH warm and soft water? thanks for all your help

 

[Randall]

Tankmates in a 20-gallon tank

Hello Crimsonrain,

It sounds like you have a nice compliment of fish now. Dwarf cichlids appreciate dither fish, so I wouldn't lose the tetras. In a 20-gallon tank your options are somewhat limited. If you have some Microgeophagus ramirezi in the tank now, any added cichlid is bound to cause problems.

Good luck!

Randall Kohn

 

[crimsonrain]

are ramerezi (gold) agressive towards other ciclids? i really wanted some blue rams or some keyholes. would those be ok? i could lose the guppies to make room. my 20 gal. would then have 3 neon tetras, 2 phantom tetras and 2 gold rams. id like to add maybe blue rams and a keyhole or one or the other.what would your suggestion be if i take that route?

 

[Randall]

Cichlid Community Tank

Hello Crimsonrain,

Given the choice, it might be better to add a Cleithracara maronii or two rather than some more Microgeophagus ramirezi. The existing rams might not take too well to the new ones in a 20-gallon tank.

Good luck!

Randall Kohn

 

[Neil]

crimsonrain,

A 20g. tank limites your options for the amount of Dwarf Cichlids that can manage, but not necessarily the type. Randall has given you a good list of fish to consider. So, you can certainly have blue and gold rams in your tank, but 1 pair of each would be my suggestion for a limit. However, heed Randall's advice that you may be asking for more aggression than you want with that arrangement.

Cacs are another good choice, but it is even pressing the limit to put a pair of cacs in with a pair of rams, because they both take up the same level in the tank, the ground. A 30g. would be better.

If you have to have 2 species and judging by your desire to have certain fish, I would suggest 1 pair of rams OR 1 pair of cacs AND 1 or 2 Keyholes. The Keyholes are bigger, but are less likely to have conflicts with the other pair because they are more inclined to use the middle of the tank. Any breeding (by either of the species) may throw this relative harmony off, but it has a pretty good chance of working IMO. There is no reason to eliminate the other fish in your tank. They will likely be a benefit to modify any possible aggression between the cichlids. Structure the tank well, keep the dither fish and keep a eye on the residents. But most all enjoy!

Neil

 

[crimsonrain]

thanks for all your help. my gold rams are all over the tank so i really dont think they have much of a claimed teritory. but i think i will go with the keyholes, and get a blue ram if i can find one, but i wont go searching. I definetly want keyholes i hear they are wonderful. I know the dither fish are working cause my gold are just so happy they are always in plains sight where they would only cower under driftwood before. thank you for my suggestions and ill let you know how it goes

 

[Wey]

Btw, a guppy prefers quite different water than tetra's :cry:
I don't think guppies, tetra's and dwarfs make a good combination, looking at their needs.

Rather take more fish of one species, especially school fish like tetra's. In a 20 gallon, I think it's not wise to take more than one kind of dwarf.
Just my two cents.

 

[crimsonrain]

Yeah i think im going to lose the guppies and keep dwarfs and a school of tetras