Dwarf cichlids for a community tank

[pythium1]

I have a 10g aquarium and I would like to add a pair of dwarf cichlids. The only current inhabitants are 5 corydoras. I am not particularly interested in breeding so as long as the cichlids will not harm the catfish that shouldn't be a problem. Also at the end of this school year (I am a graduate student) the fish will be put into a 75g tank at my home. The inhabitants of the 75g include 7turquoise rainbowfish (Melanotaenia lacustris), 10 white cloud minnows, 7 corydoras, 4 kuhli loaches, and a couple of siamese algae eaters. Both tanks are heavily planted. My main concern is that the cichlids will attempt to breed and begin to harass my other fish. The species I have considered are Rams and Apistogramma aggasizzi, but I am open to any suggestions. Does it sound like I will be able to add cichlids to these tanks? Thank you in advance for your help.

 

[aspen]

hi there. both rams and apisto aggasizzi would do well in the 10 gal tank, provided that you have lots of cover for the aggies. they are quite shy and you may not see them as much as you would like to. rams are more visible. other species might be a. borelli or a pair of kribensis.

as for breeding, well, cichlids will breed when they want to, and if any did breed in that tank, they might harass the cories a bit, but not do any damage, unless maybe the aggies or more agressive species like nannocara annamola or a. viejita.

the other option is to just get a male ram or other dwarf, they are quite pretty and rams will come out to hand feed if you take the time. you don't need to get a pair with hopes to breed, esp if you don't have another tank to move the fry and grow them out.

i believe almost any of the less agressive dwarf species will do quite well in the 75 gal, whichever way that you go. maybe just see what is locally available and looks good, then do a little research. that is what i do. i believe that blue rams are the best beginner dwarf to try but some shipments don't last as long as they should, due to disease, poor breeding or stress from shipping. new fish should always be quarentined.

rick

 

[Neil]

pythium1,

WELCOME TO THE FORUM

My question would be about your water. If it is nuetral to soft, the sky is almost the limit. But since you have rainbows, I assume there is a possibility that you have harder water. Most Dwarfs will do alright in moderately hard water, but will not flourish. IMO fish like rams and agassizii would not be the best option in that case. Personally I would choose A. cacatuoides, A. borellii, A.eunotus, N. anomala, P. pulcher, L. curviceps or something along those lines for a first Dwarf (even if your water is reasonably soft). It is not so much that the others are difficult. Just that aggies prefer softer water and rams tend to be pretty fragile sometimes, as aspen has mentioned. You surely can choose those, but make sure you get healthy animals and keep your water changes regular.

The choice of tankmates that you have suggested should present no problems from either side, until the Dwarf Cichlids start thinking about breeding. Even then, it is unlikely that deaths will occur.

Good luck with school and your new found distraction from studying

Neil