Which would be a better starter cichlid?
- Thread starter brown_snake
- Start date
lol yea, call me crazy if u want haha I had 3 Bolivians and they barely even ATE. I guess they had to eat something to stay alive, but they ALWAYS had a sunken belly that never seemed to fill out. One died, so I took it back and the others didn't improve, so I took them back before they died too, hoping they might make it somewhere else.
I like my bolivian rams, they seem pretty hardy to me and don't bother other fish unless they are making a territory and then not even that much. They do have a few squabbles between themselves but even then it isn't serious. cute fish with personality, I have them with angels and cory cats.
also have to say they are pretty but not as beautiful as some other cichlids nor have I any experience with rainbows.
So generally speaking, they're a lot more durable than Bolivian Rams? If so, I might tell him to go with the Rainbow Cichlid instead. On a somewhat related note, how would either species take to the presence of larger crustaceans as tank mates (specifically cpo crayfish and amano shrimp)? I'm aware that larger American cichlids like Angelfish and Oscars will devour any crustaceans that they come across, but are smaller species like the Bolivian Rams and Rainbows more likely to tolerate the presence of crustacean tank mates? Again, thanks.
Do they get along with other dwarf cichlids and crustaceans like amano shrimp? Would really appreciate your insight. Thanks
Looks like general opinion seems to favour the rainbow. How are they personality wise? He dosen't want anything that's too rambunctious. Again, thanks.
I tried telling him to start with live bearers as well, but he's become fixated with cichlids after seeing my cobalt zebra mbuna as well as my cousin's oscars..Mollies and Danios in school.
I'm not sure, Mate....I don't keep fish and crustaceans in the same tanks. I like to keep the orders separate - fish with fish, reptiles w/ reptiles, amphibians w/ amphibians ....etc. I won't even keep African Clawed frogs w/ fish tbh. Have you guys considered just doing an incredibly pimped-out Invertebrate tank separately?........
