Dwarf Cichlids

[mitche8359]

Guy at LFS said dwarf cichlids could be considered a community fish. Anyone have practical experience with dwarf cichlids? Wife saw some regular cichlids and oscars at lunch and wanted some of those... I told her the oscars were in a tank by themselves for a reason...

We did see a planted display tank that had a nice assortment of dwarf cichlids with other fish in it. I keep angels, neon and red tetras, plecos, and a couple cats in the tank I want to add the dwarf cichlids to. Anyone see a problem adding them?

 

[Somethingfishy]

Which dwarfs did you have in mind? I mean there are a number, I have the plain kribs, then there are the Apistos and a whole host of others?

 

[mitche8359]

I really don't know. It will depend on what's available at the LFS. I'll have to see what varieties they have. I did some research on dwarf cichlids yesterday and saw some that I'd love to have. Will look at the names. From what I read, the dwarf variety is just as aggressive as the full size.

In other words, the pretty ones..

 

[Somethingfishy]

Yup they are aggressive, but it depends on the tank mates and how many you have. My dwarfs are very peaceful as they are in a tank with larger fish that would tell them exactly which bus to get off.

 

[mitche8359]

I plan on adding a couple to a 55g with a bunch of tetras and some angels. tetras are sort of small, and I plan on getting a large angel with a few smaller ones. Hopefully it will be aggressive and it will give me an excuse to buy a new tank...

 

[Somethingfishy]

Good thinking and reasoning on the new tank.
I kept my kribs with my Angels and there were no problems, but like I said it does depend on the type of dwarf you get. Some just won't take to the new mates and vica-versa.

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[mitche8359]

I reviewed the page I found which had a plethera of dwarf cichlids and took notes this time. The list contains those that I would buy with the astericks signifying the ones that I want. Now if only the LFS would cooperate and have these in stock when I go...

Dwarf cics
Apistogramma agassizii "Alenquer"
Apistogramma atahualpa "Llanchama"
Apistogramma bitaeniata
Apistogramma bitaeniata "Manacapuru" *********
Apistogramma borelli "Paraguay" ********
Apistogramma cacatuoides "Double red" *******
Apistogramma sp. aff. juruensis "Rio Nanay" *****

 

[Somethingfishy]

You can get them from Liveaqauria.com. I have heard some rave revues regarding their shipping and handling of fish, as well as how they catch their fish.

 

[mitche8359]

as well as how they catch their fish.

?? I would have thought that most of the fish at the lfs were bred? I'd think it would be much cheaper.

Thanks for the tip on the Liveaquaria site. I think I saw it earlier in the week. I'll check them out.

 

[Somethingfishy]

Liveaquaria catch some of their fish in the wild. I know they catch their oto's in the wild.

 

[zephyr]

There are some small cichlids that are considered community fish.
German rams and bolivian rams are spoesd to be calm( i just got my bolivians 2day )
Keyhole cichlids are small and docile, and although there colours aren't as magnificant as rams, i rekon they are just as good.
I heard that apistogrammas are hard to keep and aggressive?
You can even keep bigger cichlids while there small and docile.
my bro has a 4 cm jack dempsey in his tank with platies danios and corys.
well thats all i can rite coz i gtg to work soon
cya
justin
(i got the soundtrack to Queen of the damned, itz soo good )

 

[mitche8359]

When I was at the lfs the other day I noticed some of the tanks had captured from the wild or something similar on them. First I have seen that written on the tanks. Here I thought the fish at the lfs were bred in captivity.