Friends for my Krib

SRK

Hey all!!

I have a 20 gal. tank with 1 female krib and a neon tetra. (The tetra I just added because it was by itself in a 2 1/2 gallon tank and I didn't see the need for two separate tanks when both fish were alone.) Anyway, I would like to get some other fish to add to the tank. I plan on getting a school of otocinclus to help keep the algae down. I've had them in this tank before and I really like them. Then, I'd like either a school of some other type of fish (maybe something with some color) or another cichlid or two.

My question is, what would you all suggest? Would another krib go well? If so, does the sex matter? If it does, I may not be able to get one because I can't tell the difference and I don't trust the people at my LFS to know either. They told me that my current krib was a male...and then he laid eggs. lol

Is there any other type of African cichlid that would go well? From my understanding most others would get too big for my 20 gallon tank. Is that correct?

If I don't get another cichild or two, what would be a recommended schooling fish I could get. I had tiger barbs before and really liked them, but I thought I might try something different this time. Any suggestions?

iamntbatman

Kribs are from Africa but they're a riverine fish, not a rift lake fish. This means they're well suited for community tanks and general sort of tropical forest stream sorts of setups. If you do try another type of cichlid, you're better off with American species than African rift lake fish (there are other riverine African cichlids but the most commonly available other species, the jewel cichlid, is a mean fish that would probably kill your krib). That said, since your fish is several years old and is laying eggs, adding any other cichlid might not be the best of ideas as it might result in your female attacking it.

The first thing that jumps out at me is that your neon would be better off in a school. Apart from that, pretty much any other peaceful schooling tetra or barb that would fit in your tank would be a good choice. Livebearers like swordtails and platies also work well, as do danios, rasboras, and smaller rainbowfish. Basically, you've got a lot of choices!

rrcoolj

Rainbow fish are fine but get the smaller species because the biiger ones like bosemani need alot more swimming room IMO. I would definatly add to your neon tetra school. It's not healthy for schooling fish especially neons to live alone. Tiger barbs might be a bit big and nippy for a 20 with neons. You want to stick to one type of schooling fish. I would do a pair of kribs and the tiger barbs. the barbs are fast and aggressive enough to avoid the krib parents if/when they breed. Oto sound good also. As for schooling fish there is a multitude to choose from including black skirt tetra, serpae tetras, and tiger barbs to name a few. Livebearers will also work but probabyl not with a school of fish.

I would get either livebearers or schooling fish, a kirb(or pair) and a group of Otos. make sure to provide plenty of cover for the otos and make sure thier big enough not to be eatin.

dylan94

I would suggest before doing anything else add to your neon tetra school. A female krib on her own can be very docile and I have kept kribs with guppies before! I currently have 13 kribs, 7 tiger barbs, 3 swordtails and 3 ottos all living in my 29g. ( Most of the kribs are fry and I plan on bringing them to the LFS soon).
If you have a female krib and 6-8 neon tetras and a group of ottos, that would give you maybe enough room for another schooling fish depends on the species). You could also get livebearers. I have tiger barbs and let me tell you they are very cool to watch and they get along great with my kribs. Hope this helps.