P. Taeniatus tankmates?

[Wuwuwu54]

I have a 29 gallon tank and am for sure going to stock it with 1 pair of Pelvicachromis Taeniatus. Would a single dwarf or regular gourami or Angelfish work in this tank with plenty of hiding places. This tank will be lightly planted. I know some tetras or schoolers might work, but I HATE small schooling fish.
Thanks, Luke

 

[Jason82]

Maybe Congo tetras or some killifish?

 

[gerald]

I would not put any other cichlid in a 29 gal with a pair of Pelvicachromis. When they breed they will be very aggressive, especially toward other cichlids (and probably gouramis too). Fast-moving fish that swim in the middle to upper parts of the tank (danios, barbs, rasboras, tetras, killies, soft-water rainbowfish) might be OK if you have enough of them - at least 6 or 8. If you're a dwarf cichlid fan, you'll just need to learn to love small schooling fish. And I think you will, in time. |:>)

 

[Wuwuwu54]

Would something like betta simplex work? I could move them if not.

 

[gerald]

As long as you have other tanks to move them into, and you're keeping close watch on what's going on in the tank, ready to intervene if needed, then you can try anything. I have some Bettas that spend most of their time inside or under floating pieces of black plastic pipe, where the other fish rarely interact with them. I've never kept B. simplex so I dont know if they are like that. If your Bettas swim near the bottom when the Pelv's are guarding fry I'm pretty sure they will attack it.

 

[Wuwuwu54]

I'll try it to see how it goes, probably. Planning tanks is so hard, but its so much fun!