new cichlid tank and mates? suggestions welcome

andrewr2488

Since your tank is already well planted, M. Ramirezi would probably be a nice addition. You can probably get a nice big school of tetra for now, then in about a month add a few different species of corys (minimum 3 of each as they are shoaling fish) then as stated given a few months you can add your rams. Sounds like your tank is set up perfect for them. Good Luck!!

ChristinaRoss

well i dont want any tetras or corys.

and why would i add tetras then wait a few months to add a cichlid?

Byron

Seem to be going over old ground, but I want it to be clear. Dwarf cichlids are not good fish to put into a new tank. And you can't have an established tank without fish in it to get all the various biological actions working and settled, which takes about 3 months or so all being well. So, I would suggest deciding what tetras, corys, whatever you want with the cichlids and get those (tetras, etc) first to establish the tank. Then when you find the cichlids, all will be ready and they should settle in fine.

Cichlids have a reputation of being tough fish. But ironically, the dwarfs, along with Discus, are sensitive to various things including water parameters and stability. Some tetras are similar, and some corys. But you should have "dither fish" in a dwarf cichlid tank; the cichlids will be out and about much more if there are other fish in the tank. Seems to relieve their sense of vulnerability if they see other fish swimming around above them. And upper water fish are worth considering in the tetra line, since all the dwarf cichlids remain in the lower part of the water column.

Byron.

ChristinaRoss

i stated earlier this isnt a new tank, its been cycled and is almost 6 months old being setup, im moving fish from this tank to another tank when i decide what types of cichlids to get for it.

also, i asked if it would be possible to have columbian sharks in this until they needed further brackish water and got too big. i have a home to rehome them when they get too big for it.

ok now i see your point on adding tetras...

andrewr2488

Never heard of anyone keeping them with dwarf cichlids, Is there any reason in particular you wanna keep them with the cichlids? I'm not exactly sure how that would work out. Maybe someone else has tried it and can chime in. My only concern would be that they are both mainly bottom going fish the rams might dispute about territory? Like I said, I'm not quite sure how it'd work out. I know with african cichlids alot of people keep Synodontis Multipunctatus (Cuckoo Catfish.) That could be a different ball game though, I guess you could try it out but I'd add the cichlids first to let them get used to the tank. How big are your Columbians? That might also play a factor in things, If the Rams feel threatened by the sharks size. I'm just spitballing here, I've never seen them together so I wouldnt know what would or could happen.. Good Luck!!

ChristinaRoss

they are only 2-3" right now.....im trying to find out what can go with them until they reach about 8" or so....

andrewr2488

Is there a reason for wanting them with the cichlids? I believe you said you already have a tank to move them to when they get too big for the cichlid tank. Where are the sharks at right now?

ChristinaRoss

they are in the tank i want the cichlids to be in, im basically just trying to find compatible fish to go with my sharks until they get too big. i thought cichlids might be a good match, water parameter and size wise

a friend will be taking them when they get around 9" or so

andrewr2488

My suggestion would be to contact a reputable LFS and see what they think of their compatability. If all else just hold off on your cichlids til the columbians are gone. I doubt anything would happen but better safe than sorry. Let us know what you find out for future references.

Byron

I got carried away with the cihclids and missed the Columbian shark question in the first post; sorry about that.

These are not at all compatible, due primarily to water parameter differences big time. Dwarf cichlids need soft, acidic water. Columbian sharks should have hard, basic (alkaline) water. And being a predator, the shark would eat the cichlids once they can fit into its mouth.

This fish appears to have some identification issues; in researching it (never having kept it myself) I have come across three different genera, Sciades seemanni, Arius seemanni and Hexanematichthys seemanni. The fish appear the same from the photos. General concensus is that juveniles should have brackish water or at least hard alkaline water, adults require marine setups (full salt). Given this information, I would suspect maintaining this fish in pure freshwater, particularly soft and acidic, might cause internal issues very quickly and lead to future health problems. This is common when fish are kept in what I'll call unsuitable conditions, whether from water parameters and/or tank size, as juveniles. Fish grow constantly throughout their lives, so unsuitable conditions right from the start can have long-term effects. I would find another home for this fish unless you can provide a brackish/marine environment in a minimum 4-foot tank now; it will quickly outgrow such a setup of course, so plan ahead.

Byron.