compatability

[Me]

I have this tank idea. I am looking for some opinions on how to make this work, if it can work. :?

I have 2 female bettas, that I am very attached to. They are in a 20 gallon tank, and I would like to add a pair of Albino Kribs, and a pair of Plev Taeniatus also.

I have a well planted tank, with alot of hiding places.

I also have 4 small corycats, and a pair of catfish, and 2 plecos.

Would the catfish, and the cories invade the Kribs space :?:

I know the Kribs and the Taeniatus are semi-aggressive, and so are bettas, I just don't know how well it would work. :?

 

[Me]

I know this question has been veiwed. Is there a reason no one is responding to it?
I'm just looking for a few opinions.

 

[dhm325]

I don't think that you can put a pair of kribs and a pair of taeniatus in a 20 gallon tank. A 20 gallon tank is large enough for only one pair of Pelvicachromis to establish a territory. These two species will not tolerate each other in their territory even while they are not spawing. As a general rule kribs are larger than taeniatus and will make short work of the taeniatus. As to the female betas, they make reasonably good target/dither fish for either species but they will not do well (torn fins etc.,) because they swim too slowly. I don't use catfish or other bottom dwellers in tanks with any Pelvicachromis species. The Pelvicahchromis use the bottom part of the tank and they view other bottom dwellers as threats. If you want to keep Pelvicachromis in a 20 gallon tank you should pick a pair of one species and use a group of 6 to 8 small fast schooling fish as tarket fish to help control the aggressive tendencies of the Pelvicachromis. They also make good dither fish as their presence seems to be interpreted by the Pelvicachromis as an indiction that there are no preditors in the area. Rummy Nose tetras or white clouds are a good choice. Pencil Fish are another good choice. Neon tetras and cardinal tertras should be avoided because they are good fry predators. Good luck.

 

[Randall]

Bettas with Pelvicachromis sp.

Dear Me,

I agree with dhm on this one. Two Pelvicachromis species in a twenty-gallon tank does not allow for enough territory space. Coupling this mix with a couple of female B. splendens sounds like a recipe for disaster. Add a couple of large growing Plecos to boot, and I don't even want to go there. The community you propose sounds appropriate for a 55-gallon tank minimum.

If you'd be willing to loose the Plecos, perhaps a pair of Nanochromis species or one of the smaller, gentler Apistogramma species would be better choices.

Good luck!

Randall Kohn

 

[dhm325]

Would you really put a pair of Pelvicachromis in the same tank with a pair of Nanochromis? I had a post about a month ago on this point and was advized not to put both species in a 30 gallon long.

 

[Randall]

Compatiblity

Dear dhm,

I commonly keep Nanochromis and Pelvicachromis species together in larger aquaria, depending on the species. Some are more compatible than others. Although smaller aquaria can be a little tight for such a mix, if the tank is set up well it has worked for me; again, depending on the species.

Randall Kohn