What west african tankmates are possible?

[themountain]

After quite a pause to aquarism I will set up a new 50g tank hopefully next month. I wasnt sure about having some cichlids with big Killis. Do any of the members here have experience with that combination? Besides that I am looking for habitat or underwater pics from the region.
Thanks in advance and I hope I will be here now more often.
Cheers Andy

 

[themountain]

Mmh...Nada?? Come on guys somebody has the know something.

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,
There are a couple of threads on UKAPs, have a look at <"Giant tank for Killis">.

cheers Darrel

 

[themountain]

Thanks Darrel

 

[Mbkemp]

I have attempted aphyosemion with Pelvicachromis. It works ok until the kribs spawn. I didn’t lose any killers but I pulled them because it looked like I would soon

 

[ciri3]

Hello Andy,

Congratulations on your decision to set up a new 50-gallon tank! Mixing cichlids and large Killifish can be a captivating and dynamic combination, but there are some factors to consider before creating such a setup.

1. Compatibility: It's essential to research and select cichlid and Killifish species that are compatible in terms of temperament, size, and water requirements. Some cichlids can be aggressive and territorial, so choosing less aggressive species or those that inhabit different water levels can help reduce conflicts.
2. Tank Setup: Provide plenty of hiding spots, plants, and territories for both cichlids and Killifish. This will help establish territories and reduce stress among the fish. Since cichlids are known to rearrange substrate, be mindful of the placement of plants and decorations.
3. Water Parameters: Research the specific water parameters preferred by your chosen cichlid and Killifish species. While cichlids often prefer harder water with a higher pH, Killifish might prefer slightly acidic to neutral water. Finding a balance that suits both species can be crucial.
4. Feeding: Ensure that both species receive appropriate and balanced diets. Some cichlids are omnivores or herbivores, while Killifish might have specific dietary preferences. Providing varied and quality foods is essential for their health and vitality.
5. Observation: Regularly monitor the behavior of your fish to detect any signs of stress, aggression, or compatibility issues. Have a backup plan ready in case you need to separate certain fish to prevent harm .

 

[anewbie]

One thing i read is that west africans speak a different language than sa dwarves so things always end up worse than if they spoke hte same language (signals of aggression):
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Also i did keep kribs with nannacara amolae male - and he hated them - and every morning he would wait for them to come out of their cave (they dug a bit under driftwood to nest) and attack them; then one day they double teamed him and he avoided them afterwards - about 6 months later i removed the kribs due to constant spawning and high survival rate of frys (this was in a 40B).
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That was my only data point - mind you the nannacara was one smart fish and no one got killed but for whatever reason he really really disliked them.
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One other point - don't think it was a territory issue - the male nannacara cave was in the back left and the kribs cave was in the right front quite a distance from each other - and he would actively hunt them at their cave.

 

[Hellfishguy]

I know that they can’t be considered big killies, but I’ve been keeping Epiplatys dageti Monroviae with Anomalochromis thomasi and Enigmatochromis lucanusi without any problems. The killies stay near the surface out of the cichlid‘s way, and both the killies and the cichlids produce fry which somehow grow up together. It’s not exactly harmonious, but there’s never been any bloodshed, either. I also have the Epiplatys with Laetacara curviceps and Apistogramma cacatuoides, with the same results.

 

[anewbie]

I know that they can’t be considered big killies, but I’ve been keeping Epiplatys dageti Monroviae with Anomalochromis thomasi and Enigmatochromis lucanusi without any problems. The killies stay near the surface out of the cichlid‘s way, and both the killies and the cichlids produce fry which somehow grow up together. It’s not exactly harmonious, but there’s never been any bloodshed, either. I also have the Epiplatys with Laetacara curviceps and Apistogramma cacatuoides, with the same results.

yea my comment was around cichild like kribs. Doubt most dwarf cichild would care about fishes near the surface.