Can I combine ANY cichlids and non-cichlids?

ms-tiff · 03-03-2008, 07:07 PM

Hi all,
I am not entirely a newbie, but new on this site, and I know, I KNOW!!! that usually cichlids are best kept in species tanks or in suitable community cichlid tanks (except for angels), however..... I have an established, planted, tropical community tank (a 135 Litre AR 620T with 2 small angels, 2 blue coral gouramis, 1 gold gourami, 6 cardinal tetras, 2 peppermint bristlenose, 1 rainbow shark, 1 albino rainbow shark).

I am on the lookout for something new, colourful and interesting to add to this community and every time I see a fish I like it is a cichlid! Sooooo... in order to try to avoid multi-tank-syndrome, I am wondering if anyone has ever had any luck combining any cichlids into a community tank? (My tank always has a high pH of 7.8 or greater and I have heating set to 26 degrees c currently. I am not sure about water hardness -and any advice on how to test that would be appreciated.) Is it ever possible to combine some cichlids with particular species? I am particularly fond of pseudotropheus salousi, but am open to other suggestions.

Thanks for your time,
Tiff
(Queensland, Australia)

trashion · 03-03-2008, 07:15 PM

Your tank is 35 gallons, and I definitely wouldn't add anything else. In fact, I'd probably take out both sharks.

BV77 · 03-03-2008, 07:29 PM

I agree with getting rid of the sharks. Then you could add a pair of kribensis. They kribs will use the lower level of the tank, and IME won't bother the other fish other than to chase them from their territory. I've had them in with cardinal tetras and other community fish, and they did no damage other than chase the fish away from their nest and fry

**JustOneMore20** · 03-03-2008, 07:37 PM

I would be worried about the Kribs and the Angels not getting along. That is a small tank for 2 pair of cichlids, so IMO I'd take out the sharks, add more Cardinals and call it stocked.

Gouramis can be nasty...and Angels can be nasty, so I wouldn't add another nasty fish to the tank (Kribs).

P. saulosi for sure won't work in that tank. They have a different diet than the fish you have now for one thing. Another is that they are Mbuna and wouldn't get along with what you have now.

Looks like you need another (larger) tank!

ms-tiff · 03-03-2008, 07:44 PM

H ha, it always comes down to getting another tank doesn't it?? lol.

Seriously, thank you all for your advice. Can I ask, re: the sharks, is your advice due to their (eventual) size? My local aquarium shop advised me that they would be fine in my tank/community (and they are quite knowledgeable usually so I trusted them), so if you could elaborate re: the sharks that would be great.
Thanks

emc7 · 03-03-2008, 08:09 PM

Salousi are great fish, but go buy a 30 or 55 gallon for them.

**JustOneMore20** · 03-03-2008, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ms-tiff

H ha, it always comes down to getting another tank doesn't it?? lol.

Seriously, thank you all for your advice. Can I ask, re: the sharks, is your advice due to their (eventual) size? My local aquarium shop advised me that they would be fine in my tank/community (and they are quite knowledgeable usually so I trusted them), so if you could elaborate re: the sharks that would be great.
Thanks

Yes, my reasoning for telling you to take the sharks back is because of their size full grown and their potential aggression. They get about 6 inches and can be aggressive when guarding their territory. A larger tank is really recommended for them. Also, they usually don't get along with each other, so its not recommended you keep 2 together.

ms-tiff · 03-04-2008, 05:04 PM

Thanks everyone.
I will take the sharks back and try to be happy watching the fish I do have grow up!
And focus on getting lots more nice plants in the tank....
And slowly work on convincing my hubby that another tank is not such a bad idea... lol

Regards from sunny Queensland

03-03-2008, 07:07 PM	#1
ms-tiff Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 7	Can I combine ANY cichlids and non-cichlids? Hi all, I am not entirely a newbie, but new on this site, and I know, I KNOW!!! that usually cichlids are best kept in species tanks or in suitable community cichlid tanks (except for angels), however..... I have an established, planted, tropical community tank (a 135 Litre AR 620T with 2 small angels, 2 blue coral gouramis, 1 gold gourami, 6 cardinal tetras, 2 peppermint bristlenose, 1 rainbow shark, 1 albino rainbow shark). I am on the lookout for something new, colourful and interesting to add to this community and every time I see a fish I like it is a cichlid! Sooooo... in order to try to avoid multi-tank-syndrome, I am wondering if anyone has ever had any luck combining any cichlids into a community tank? (My tank always has a high pH of 7.8 or greater and I have heating set to 26 degrees c currently. I am not sure about water hardness -and any advice on how to test that would be appreciated.) Is it ever possible to combine some cichlids with particular species? I am particularly fond of pseudotropheus salousi, but am open to other suggestions. Thanks for your time, Tiff (Queensland, Australia)

03-03-2008, 07:15 PM	#2
trashion girl anachronism Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,318	Your tank is 35 gallons, and I definitely wouldn't add anything else. In fact, I'd probably take out both sharks. __________________ current setup: 5.5 gallon low-light planted tank -nothing....thinking a mini-community. for reference: my name is Julie

03-03-2008, 07:37 PM	#4
JustOneMore20 Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Birmingham, AL Age: 22 Posts: 3,580	I would be worried about the Kribs and the Angels not getting along. That is a small tank for 2 pair of cichlids, so IMO I'd take out the sharks, add more Cardinals and call it stocked. Gouramis can be nasty...and Angels can be nasty, so I wouldn't add another nasty fish to the tank (Kribs). P. saulosi for sure won't work in that tank. They have a different diet than the fish you have now for one thing. Another is that they are Mbuna and wouldn't get along with what you have now. Looks like you need another (larger) tank! __________________ *Kristin* 5 Planted tanks: 55g, 40g, 29g, 20g, 5.5g

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03-03-2008, 07:29 PM	#3
BV77 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alaska Posts: 486	I agree with getting rid of the sharks. Then you could add a pair of kribensis. They kribs will use the lower level of the tank, and IME won't bother the other fish other than to chase them from their territory. I've had them in with cardinal tetras and other community fish, and they did no damage other than chase the fish away from their nest and fry

03-03-2008, 07:44 PM	#5
ms-tiff Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 7	H ha, it always comes down to getting another tank doesn't it?? lol. Seriously, thank you all for your advice. Can I ask, re: the sharks, is your advice due to their (eventual) size? My local aquarium shop advised me that they would be fine in my tank/community (and they are quite knowledgeable usually so I trusted them), so if you could elaborate re: the sharks that would be great. Thanks

03-03-2008, 08:09 PM	#6
emc7 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Johns Creek, GA Posts: 3,283	Salousi are great fish, but go buy a 30 or 55 gallon for them.

03-04-2008, 05:04 PM	#8
ms-tiff Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 7	Thanks everyone. I will take the sharks back and try to be happy watching the fish I do have grow up! And focus on getting lots more nice plants in the tank.... And slowly work on convincing my hubby that another tank is not such a bad idea... lol Regards from sunny Queensland

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