40b dwarf community tank?

[mizzoutank]

Hi all,

Been redoing my 40b the correct way (in terms of equipment/design)

so i'm in the process of QT/tank design.

Has anyone kept a mix of dwarf cichlids before?
I currently have:
2 bolivian rams
1 rupperlip pleco
8 cory cats
8 silver tip tetras
____
In QT I have:
1 krib
1 bristlenose pleco
______
Looking to add an apisto, or blue acara, or keyhole cichlid. (and maybe another pleco)

would that work?
I'll attach a pic of the tank design (front/top) to show it has good, defined boundaries.

 

[ryansmith83]

Bolivians work well with other peaceful cichlids. I'm not familiar with apistos (there are a ton of different species, so compatibility may come down to water parameters, size, and temperament) but I know they do well with smaller geos, keyholes, port acara types, and even mellow severums. I'd avoid the blue acara in this tank just because of its size. Some blue acaras are really passive and others can get bullish. It may harass your Bolivians or go after your tetras. If you do keyholes, they seem to do best in a small group because they can be shy. You could probably keep 4 in that tank for a while but depending on their adult size you may have to thin them out as they get older.

 

[mizzoutank]

Thanks for the feedback.
I got the bolivians for that reason-i'm not sure the sex between them either-but they are getting along great with no issues. So it was a solid find (at petco too!)
I'd have to dig real deep for a geo though, the only i've seen say "assorted geo" and i dont want to gamble with that.
I've seen keyholes though and they have caught my eye, but thanks for the info on being shy-i could get 2 or 3 for the time being.

I'll for sure nix the acara...save him for a bigger tank one day.

apisto's that I am overly fond of are the cockatoo's.

 

[SePPii]

That tank looks really good! I may have to set a 40b up like that now for my Salvini pair! Thanks for the inspiration!


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[darth pike]

I would also nix the krib, their aggression compared to the bolivans would be off the scale. Even more so if you got apistos.

 

[mizzoutank]

Thanks! Glad you like it.

It took a while to gather all the pieces and get the layout the way I wanted.
I think i'll try to sneak in a few vals and anubias for some color. Looking for low tech set up.

 

[mizzoutank]

I would also nix the krib, their aggression compared to the bolivans would be off the scale. Even more so if you got apistos.

That isn't good news. the krib is in QT.
She's smaller than the rams though, (i think it is a she) so that might help.
I'm also going to add all the fish at once (move over current filtration) which will give equal chance to gain their territories.

If getting an apisto would aggrivate the krib, then i'll cross of the apisto's and go for the keyhole's

 

[Mythic Figment]

I would also nix the krib, their aggression compared to the bolivans would be off the scale. Even more so if you got apistos.

+1

Kribs tend to be very aggressive more often than not, even more so when they breed (though you would not have to worry anout that). You can sometimes stumble upon a calm krib, but it is uncommon.

I would also avoid the blue acara. Most of the ones sold in stores are hybrids of blue acaras and green terrors. This hybridization seems to create a temperament less aggressive than greens, but much more aggressive than blus. I had one who went on a killing rampage when it was only 3" long and I had just started into SA cichlids. I got rid of it fast.

I have keyholes and they are very calm and peaceful. I have two in with 5 German blue rams in a 55 and there is no aggression.

If you get an apisto, get a single male as they are more colorful than the females of the same species. I personally prefer the cockatoo apisto.

As for cichlids, my recommendation for stocking a 40B would be the 2 Bolivians you have, a keyhole and an apisto. If you want to keep the krib, make sure you have a heavily decorated tank and I would only have the rams and the krib. Be careful with krib though. It will more than double the size of the rams and it is an African cichlid with a temper.


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[Mythic Figment]

That isn't good news. the krib is in QT.
She's smaller than the rams though, (i think it is a she) so that might help.
I'm also going to add all the fish at once (move over current filtration) which will give equal chance to gain their territories.

If getting an apisto would aggrivate the krib, then i'll cross of the apisto's and go for the keyhole's

I would not mix a krib and a keyhole. They both get to be 6" fish and the keyholes are so peaceful, the krib would tear it apart.


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[ryansmith83]

If you keep the krib singly it will probably be fine. Mine have always been peaceful unless they breed. Your Bolivians should be fine as long as there are hiding spots, and I don't see kribs bothering keyholes too much. If you have to, you can always rehome the krib or maybe exchange it for something else.

I'd avoid Apistos if you are going the krib route.

Also avoid the "assorted geo" at Petco because they tend to be G. altifrons which is a large-growing, boisterous fish. It's too big for a 40 breeder.