Multiple species in one tank?

[GrantA94]

The midas is risk, but he can choose a calmer/less aggressive one and it shouldn't be a problem.

Oh i completely agree that there is clamer ones and that you could likely mix them with others.

However, i wouldn't personally - especially with the more gentle species like EBJD's, because even when a midas plays nice i imagine it to be too rough for them.

Although, that being said - anything is possible with cichlids.

 

[MissMaddylyn]

Theres quite a debate on how aggressive the EBJDs seem to be. Some say they are, some say they're pretty gentle.

I think I might give mixing the smaller, calm Africans with the Chocolate and Gold Sev a shot and see what happens. Its a big tank, and theres a lot of room for juvenile fish to have space to claim territory or whatnot. Maybe it will work, wont know until I try. Worst case scenario, I gotta buy a smaller tank for the smaller Africans.

Any recommendations as far as substrate?

 

[Freshwaterpredators]

the reason i stated against mixing africans and americans is the water parameter requirements ae different for both. you can put alot more africans into the tank for a huge community whereas the americans will grow much larger. I still wouldnt mix imo.doesnt mean that you cant tho

 

[MissMaddylyn]

the reason i stated against mixing africans and americans is the water parameter requirements ae different for both. you can put alot more africans into the tank for a huge community whereas the americans will grow much larger. I still wouldnt mix imo.doesnt mean that you cant tho

Oh gotcha. Good point. Rethinking again lol... Parameters being ph and temperature and such, right? I will have to compare my notes again. I have a notebook full of species and temps and ph reqs and feeding reqs, trying to find the best combination. And I DO want more color and variety. Would it be a good idea to get pairs, or would one of each specie do okay?

 

[Freshwaterpredators]

Yes ph and temp vary. If you are considering Africans, then I suggest tryin a post in the African section. As you will find better answers about them there I do believe that what your looking for you may find in an African tank good luck either way

 

[GrantA94]

Oh gotcha. Good point. Rethinking again lol... Parameters being ph and temperature and such, right? I will have to compare my notes again. I have a notebook full of species and temps and ph reqs and feeding reqs, trying to find the best combination. And I DO want more color and variety. Would it be a good idea to get pairs, or would one of each specie do okay?

I second what FreshwaterPredator has said. Mixing africans can be done, but i personally wouldn't do it. But thats just my preference. If you are purchasing your fish from a large petstore or an lfs then it is likely you will be purchasing Tank Bred specimins which are adapted to all water conditions. So that issue can be overcome. However, if you are looking to pirchase f# i would look into it some more.

As for pairs i would leave them out. As with any cichlid they get very aggressive around breeding time (even the more timid ones such as severums) and the last thing you want is a fish with tatty fins or deaths within the tank (which can happen if you have lots of fish in with breeding pairs). Also, it is unlikely that a good portion of the fry will survive with other fish in there. Which will cause both you and yourfish to feel bad. Granted you could pull the fry - but to me that defeats the purpose of having a pair.

Just a suggestion, if you are looking to exhibit some breeding behaviour in cichlids especially (i find this half the appeal of cichlids). Then you may want to look into a biotope? With the focus on a pair of cichlids? I am currently in the midst of my 135g peruvian biotope, in which a pair of white saums will be the focus. And if all goes to plan, these fish display some crazy colour. Just a thought.

Also, i didn't see any mention if the following SA/CA's? These might be worth looking into, vs. the africans?

Gold Saums, Thorichthys species - such as the firemouth (meeki) and ellioti, honduran red points (hrp's), Blue acara's (wouldn't mix with the gold saums- one or the other).

Those are just a few of the smaller-ish ones. Meaning you can have a larger stocklist, which nearly everyone wants! Go onto google and type in CA/SA fish profiles - there is so many different species that i don't think you'll want any africans.

Finally, don't go with what i or anyone else says. Go for what you like as no matter what you have someone will always disagree. Good luck!

 

[MissMaddylyn]

Yes ph and temp vary. If you are considering Africans, then I suggest tryin a post in the African section. As you will find better answers about them there I do believe that what your looking for you may find in an African tank good luck either way

I will cross post, thank you.

I second what FreshwaterPredator has said. Mixing africans can be done, but i personally wouldn't do it. But thats just my preference. If you are purchasing your fish from a large petstore or an lfs then it is likely you will be purchasing Tank Bred specimins which are adapted to all water conditions. So that issue can be overcome. However, if you are looking to pirchase f# i would look into it some more.

As for pairs i would leave them out. As with any cichlid they get very aggressive around breeding time (even the more timid ones such as severums) and the last thing you want is a fish with tatty fins or deaths within the tank (which can happen if you have lots of fish in with breeding pairs). Also, it is unlikely that a good portion of the fry will survive with other fish in there. Which will cause both you and yourfish to feel bad. Granted you could pull the fry - but to me that defeats the purpose of having a pair.

Just a suggestion, if you are looking to exhibit some breeding behaviour in cichlids especially (i find this half the appeal of cichlids). Then you may want to look into a biotope? With the focus on a pair of cichlids? I am currently in the midst of my 135g peruvian biotope, in which a pair of white saums will be the focus. And if all goes to plan, these fish display some crazy colour. Just a thought.

Also, i didn't see any mention if the following SA/CA's? These might be worth looking into, vs. the africans?

Gold Saums, Thorichthys species - such as the firemouth (meeki) and ellioti, honduran red points (hrp's), Blue acara's (wouldn't mix with the gold saums- one or the other).

Those are just a few of the smaller-ish ones. Meaning you can have a larger stocklist, which nearly everyone wants! Go onto google and type in CA/SA fish profiles - there is so many different species that i don't think you'll want any africans.

Finally, don't go with what i or anyone else says. Go for what you like as no matter what you have someone will always disagree. Good luck!

What do you mean by purchasing F#?
Okay, avoid pairs. What about when you get the smaller SA/CA fish such as Rams? Are these okay to have more than one or should I still go solo?
I HAVE been looking more into those species, I just seem to find WAY more African species, but maybe Im looking in the wrong places. The one site i found listed nothing but the latin names for fish, yeah, not the best way to try to find what you are looking for, lol. Lots of photos and basic info, but not as much as Id like.
Thanks again!

My bf thinks Im crazy, spending so much time online, just looking at fish. Says its worse than looking at porn LOL

 

[Zion and Cichlids is all]

not if he gets them all young.... i have a 125gl with 7 cons plus there fry,3 green texas 1 male 2 females,female jaguar,male flwoerhorn,female flwoerhorn x red texas hybrid,male firemouth,male and female midas. Gotten them all when the was babies and its been 7 months and there havent been any fights.

 

[JasonsPlecosCichlids]

Yes it can be done, Im doing it right now in my 500. I have all sorts of South/Central and 2 Madagascar Cichlids all living together, they bump heads from time to time thou. I think the best way is to toss them all in there together at onces as juvies and let them grow up, you will have to remove some most likely as they start the "I'm the boss". I did it a different way, I started with large and small fish. I had a 5 fish that were to compatible with my collection so they had to go. I started with gentle fish such as a Pearsi, I have 5 of them, I got a big Argentia as well, he was hard to work with, when I added more fish, he started to cool down, with less fish its his tank. Usually when I get a new fish I feed and then turn out the lights, it doesnt always work such as last night when I got the festae, the whooped him, all taking turns. Its a lot of trial and error but you will eventually get it.

 

[GrantA94]

I will cross post, thank you.



What do you mean by purchasing F#?
Okay, avoid pairs. What about when you get the smaller SA/CA fish such as Rams? Are these okay to have more than one or should I still go solo?
I HAVE been looking more into those species, I just seem to find WAY more African species, but maybe Im looking in the wrong places. The one site i found listed nothing but the latin names for fish, yeah, not the best way to try to find what you are looking for, lol. Lots of photos and basic info, but not as much as Id like.
Thanks again!

My bf thinks Im crazy, spending so much time online, just looking at fish. Says its worse than looking at porn LOL

F0 = wild caught fish
F1 = fry from wildcaught parents
F2 = fry from F1 parents

So on and so forth. F numbers can be (not always) more sensitive to water params.

Rams and apistos can do okay in groups. They are smaller also, so their fights aren't as bad (don't quote me). I would look into some rams, and certainly apistogrammas.

A planted 135 with rams and apistos could be nice really. Under the right light these species are really colourful. You could probably have some pairs in there aswell (of the dwarf SA's).

Now, the dwarf species could likely be mixed with the smaller species (blue acaras, firemouths, HRPs), but i'm not so sure i would.

My girlfriend was the same, she is becoming more understanding now i let her name some.