hi, so i've got a 150l community aquarium and i'm thinking of adding a pair of small cichlids. my current stock is 4 opaline gouramis, 6 swordtails, 3 neptunes and a flying fox. my tank's ph is 7.2 and hardness is 80ppm. i've got a few plants - mainly amazon swords and java ferns - and a sand substrate.
i would really appreciate any suggestions, thanks
dwarf cichlid care
Re: dwarf cichlid care
Rams or apistogrammas, both great options for a community tank like yours. I'd personally lean towards rams, but apistogrammas are nice too. What's your tank temperature, by the way?
Re: dwarf cichlid care
I had a similar experience with bolivkento4 rams and a gourami - the gourami just wouldn't put up with them, but I did have a pair of apistogramma cacatuoides in the same tank with the gourami and they coexisted just fine.
Re: dwarf cichlid care
I've not personally kept them together, but it's great to hear from Soybean that the apistogramma cacatuoides got along with the gourami. I've been considering apistogramma cacatuoides for my own community tank, and they seem like a fantastic choice.
You've got a great setup with the sand substrate and plants, but I was wondering if you have any caves in the tank? Some dwarf cichlids, including the apistos, are cave spawners and need those caves to form a territory. Even the open spawners need plenty of hiding places and shelter.
It's worth checking out the cichlid section on this forum, there are some excellent species profiles that might be helpful.
You've got a great setup with the sand substrate and plants, but I was wondering if you have any caves in the tank? Some dwarf cichlids, including the apistos, are cave spawners and need those caves to form a territory. Even the open spawners need plenty of hiding places and shelter.
It's worth checking out the cichlid section on this forum, there are some excellent species profiles that might be helpful.
Re: dwarf cichlid care
Thanks for the suggestions, I've taken a look at the apistogramma cacatuoides and they seem like a great choice. I'll do some more research on them before deciding.
My tank is at 25C, and I appreciate the advice on caves. I don't have any at the moment, but I plan on rearranging the tank before adding any new fish, so I'll add some caves then. What's the best material to use for creating natural-looking caves - I'd like something that blends in with my setup.
My tank is at 25C, and I appreciate the advice on caves. I don't have any at the moment, but I plan on rearranging the tank before adding any new fish, so I'll add some caves then. What's the best material to use for creating natural-looking caves - I'd like something that blends in with my setup.
Re: dwarf cichlid care
I'd recommend using natural-looking materials to create your caves. You can pile up rocks or bits of slate to create little hideaways. Alternatively, you can buy ornaments that resemble rocks with holes in them, they work a treat. I've also seen people use terracotta plant pots, just bury them on their side in the substrate and they make perfect little caves.