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keeping african cichlids with rainbow fish?

Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2025 10:39 pm
by oceanway
I'm setting up a new 75 gallon tank and I've got 2 rainbow fish that need to go in. Planning to add a few more, but I'm also thinking of getting some cichlids that look pretty cool. Can I mix them with the rainbows?

Re: keeping african cichlids with rainbow fish?

Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2025 11:32 pm
by willie32
Honestly, I'd advise against it - you'd be better off checking out Centflake Americans instead.

Re: keeping african cichlids with rainbow fish?

Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2025 12:28 am
by Giggletons
willie32 wrote: Mon Jan 06, 2025 11:32 pm Honestly, I'd advise against it - you'd be better off checking out Centflake Americans instead.
I'm thinking of adding some dwarf neon and possibly madagascan rainbowfish to my all livebearer tank, it's got some catfish in it already. Would the swordtails bully them, or can they coexist peacefully?

Re: keeping african cichlids with rainbow fish?

Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2025 12:36 am
by coltin
I'm curious, what type of cichlids were you thinking of adding to your tank? Also, which specific rainbowfish were you planning to get, aside from the two you already have?

Could you also provide the dimensions of your 75-gallon tank - length, width, and height?

Regarding your water parameters, it'd be helpful to know the GH, KH, and pH levels of your tap water. You can usually find this information on your water supply company's website or by giving them a call. If they can't provide the details, consider taking a sample of tap water to a local pet store and have them test it for you. Be sure to note down the results, including the units used (e.g., ppm, dGH).

Re: keeping african cichlids with rainbow fish?

Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2025 12:47 am
by coltin
Giggletons wrote: Tue Jan 07, 2025 12:28 am
willie32 wrote: Mon Jan 06, 2025 11:32 pm Honestly, I'd advise against it - you'd be better off checking out Centflake Americans instead.
I'm thinking of adding some dwarf neon and possibly madagascan rainbowfish to my all livebearer tank, it's got some catfish in it already. Would the swordtails bully them, or can they coexist peacefully?
Deworming is a must when mixing rainbowfish with livebearers, as those livebearers tend to be worm-ridden.

Re: keeping african cichlids with rainbow fish?

Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2025 1:02 am
by Giggletons
coltin wrote: Tue Jan 07, 2025 12:36 am I'm curious, what type of cichlids were you thinking of adding to your tank? Also, which specific rainbowfish were you planning to get, aside from the two you already have?

Could you also provide the dimensions of your 75-gallon tank - length, width, and height?

Regarding your water parameters, it'd be helpful to know the GH, KH, and pH levels of your tap water. You can usually find this information on your water supply company's website or by giving them a call. If they can't provide the details, consider taking a sample of tap water to a local pet store and have them test it for you. Be sure to note down the results, including the units used (e.g., ppm, dGH).
Whoa, that's a pretty intense treatment, I'm not sure if you're serious or not, lol. I've only got one tank, so I'm a bit worried about my snails getting caught in the crossfire. Would I really need to use prazipro to deworm everything?

Re: keeping african cichlids with rainbow fish?

Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2025 2:08 am
by coltin
No joke, livebearers often come with unwanted intestinal worms - Camallanus and tapeworms are common culprits. Since rainbowfish can pick up these parasites too, deworming is a good idea - either after adding all fish to the tank or in a quarantine tank beforehand.

Levamisole and Praziquantel are snail-safe, but Flubendazole will kill them. If you're concerned, move your snails to a bucket of tank water while treating the fish. After 24-48 hours, do a couple of 75% water changes and clean the substrate, then the snails can return.

Re: keeping african cichlids with rainbow fish?

Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2025 2:27 am
by oceanway
coltin wrote: Tue Jan 07, 2025 12:36 am I'm curious, what type of cichlids were you thinking of adding to your tank? Also, which specific rainbowfish were you planning to get, aside from the two you already have?

Could you also provide the dimensions of your 75-gallon tank - length, width, and height?

Regarding your water parameters, it'd be helpful to know the GH, KH, and pH levels of your tap water. You can usually find this information on your water supply company's website or by giving them a call. If they can't provide the details, consider taking a sample of tap water to a local pet store and have them test it for you. Be sure to note down the results, including the units used (e.g., ppm, dGH).
I've got a turquoise and a boeseman rainbow, so those are the rainbows I'm working with. I was thinking of adding some peacock cichlids to the mix. My water hardness is 59mg/l, at least it was last time I checked, about two years ago. pH was 7.8 back then, and my tank's pH usually hangs out in the high 7s.

Re: keeping african cichlids with rainbow fish?

Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2025 3:24 am
by Giggletons
coltin wrote: Tue Jan 07, 2025 12:36 am I'm curious, what type of cichlids were you thinking of adding to your tank? Also, which specific rainbowfish were you planning to get, aside from the two you already have?

Could you also provide the dimensions of your 75-gallon tank - length, width, and height?

Regarding your water parameters, it'd be helpful to know the GH, KH, and pH levels of your tap water. You can usually find this information on your water supply company's website or by giving them a call. If they can't provide the details, consider taking a sample of tap water to a local pet store and have them test it for you. Be sure to note down the results, including the units used (e.g., ppm, dGH).
I think I'll pass on the deworming for now, my cories didn't get treated by the pet store either. I've got sand substrate, so I'm good with just sticking to cories and shrimp. Thanks for the heads up though - my mystery snail definitely wasn't happy when I used API General Cure on the tank.

Re: keeping african cichlids with rainbow fish?

Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2025 5:22 am
by coltin
Giggletons wrote: Tue Jan 07, 2025 12:28 am
willie32 wrote: Mon Jan 06, 2025 11:32 pm Honestly, I'd advise against it - you'd be better off checking out Centflake Americans instead.
I'm thinking of adding some dwarf neon and possibly madagascan rainbowfish to my all livebearer tank, it's got some catfish in it already. Would the swordtails bully them, or can they coexist peacefully?
Your Cories probably have worms too, likely picked up from the livebearers. I'd bet they got infected from the mollies, neptunes, platies, or swordtails - they usually come from Asia riddled with worms. Anything that shares a tank with them tends to end up with worms as well.