Who Gives A Fish Forums

I've recently introduced some Kribs to my Juwel Rio 180 tank, and I'm getting conflicting advice on tank mates. Some sources say it's fine to keep other dwarf cichlids, while others advise against it altogether.

I'd appreciate your opinions on my specific setup and some suggestions for cichlids that could coexist with my Kribs. I'm planning to add more rocks and bogwood to create plenty of caves, which should provide ample territory for everyone.

My tank setup consists of a Juwel Rio 180, Fluval U4 filter, full-length undergravel with an Eheim powerhead. The current residents are 2 Syndotis Petricola, 1 Pleco, 3 Kribs, 15 Swordtails, 10 various Tetra, and 4 Harlequin Rasbora.

Looking for advice on other cichlids that could work well in my tank, but I only want a few to swim around the middle. The problem is, most of the cichlids I've researched are bottom-dwellers, which would put them in competition with the Kribs.

I've got a similar setup to yours, with my Kribs sharing space with a few other cichlids - peacock, jewel, and convict. I also have a rainbow shark and a common pleco in there. My Krib's found its own little home and defends it, but it's not overly aggressive. There are occasional spats between the fish, but they all seem to have their own space, so it works out.

To better assist you with your tank setup, I'd like to know a few more details about your water parameters. Could you please provide the tank dimensions - length, width, and height? Additionally, what are the GH, KH, and pH of your water supply? You should be able to find this information on your water supply company's website or by giving them a call. If they can't help, take a sample of tap water to your local pet shop and have them test it for you. Be sure to note the results in numbers and ask what units they're using (e.g., ppm, dGH).

The general hardness of your water will play a significant role in determining the type of fish you can keep. For instance, tetras, barbs, gouramis, rasboras, Corydoras, and small species of suckermouth catfish thrive in soft water with a GH below 150ppm. On the other hand, livebearers like swordtails and mollies do well in medium hard water with a GH around 200-250ppm. If your water is very hard (GH above 300ppm), you might want to consider African Rift Lake cichlids or use distilled or reverse osmosis water to create a more suitable environment for fish from softer water.

Now, looking at your current tank inhabitants, Synodontis petricola are from Lake Tanganyika, which has a pH above 8.0 and a GH above 350ppm. In contrast, Kribensis, plecos, tetras, and rasboras come from water with a pH below 7.0 and a GH below 150ppm. Swordtails are from water with a pH above 7.0 and a GH around 200ppm.