How many sp. of cichlid? 4FT

[cicjay]

Hi everyone,
Checked out this site for some time now and always helped in info on keeping my favourite cichlids
I've kept apisto cacatoides and currently a lovely pair of Czech blue Rams breeding.
At the moment I've got a hi-tech planted tank running and cycling.
48L x 15W x 18H inches.
http://i310.photobucket.com/albums/kk433/cicjay/tank/P1000253.jpg?t=1221572035
Got a few caves hidden away:biggrin:

Theres going to be a shoal of around maybe 20 odd rummynose tetras and ottocinlus and shrimp algae eaters. After the tank has matured in a couple of months I want to add a few pairs of dwarf cichlid.
Really want apisto Trifasciatum and checkerboards in there.
What else would be compatible and in what pair/harem ratio do you think would work well?

Thanks.

 

[Mike Wise]

It really depends on the layout of the aquarium. Looking at your photo, I would say that there is a lot of open space in the front. Often a dominant male will control every bit of territory that he can see. That means the entire length of the tank that is open. More territories can be produced by breaking up the line-of-sight in the tank or adding visible boundaries objects.

IMHO there is no reason to keep trios in a community setting like yours. With 20 Rummies, I doubt that you will get many fry from your dwarfs. You might want to consider buying 4-6 nice colorful males of different species that you like and add a small school of cory catfish. It will make a more colorful and active aquarium.

 

[cicjay]

understand that its doubtful on successful breeding, but not really after that. If they're able to raise the fry on, great, if not, its no big deal to me. Just want a nice little habit where I can watch some great fish do their thing.
Always felt that having just males of different sp. tends to make them fight as soon as they see each other as they are guarding their territory more so in the hopes of a prospective mate coming along.
When I had a pair of cacatoides and rams in a 3 ft tank they stopped fighting so much.
Understand what you mean by breaking up the line of site and I think this will happen once the plants grow out... shouldn't take too long in this tank.
Really hope to get a couple of pairs and/or trios in this tank. Don't see the point in keeping dwarf cichlids if you don't allow them to mate up and at least attempt to breed. Its like not letting bees make honey:tongue: