i was just wondering are south american and african cichlids compatable or is one too aggressive for the other? thanks
african and s. american
- Thread starter rook45
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i don't really know africans the colorful ones with say JDs,RDs,jags,firemouths,greenterrors,ect..?
You will be much better off just having one American and one African setup rather then mixing. The Jag will more likely start swallowing them and the Rd will probably try killing them for fun. It also works visa versa with the Africans becoming territorial and destroying the finnage of the Americans. I have seen it done with Jd's etc. but i wouldn't recomend it to anyone as desired water parameters are different for both types.
That said it's up to you and it is possible.
That said it's up to you and it is possible.
With the exception of the FM, the fish you listed can be territorial and very moody.
But I did house a young male gold saum with a couple male peacocks for about 4 months without any issue. I dunno know how that would work out now though...ask my green sev.
The biggest issue here is the water parameters. SA/CA's tend to prefer slightly acidic, soft water, while African's in general tend to prefer a more alkaline, hard water. Of course, there are exceptions to this based on the origin of the specific fish. However, this is a good general guideline for the species from the two continents.
i read somewhere that central american's like the same kind of water as africans in some cases. the problem then would become the aggresion and size differences
Temperment is the issue.
I'm going to assume that the original poster is looking at getting Malawii cichlids which have the overall best balance of great color and hardiness. Malawii rift lake cichlids would have absolutely no problem with living in the 7.6 - 8.0 ph range, as would the ca\sa's that he mentioned. American cichlids are just meaner (for the most part).
I am thinking though that a nice Geo, quality FM and one or two peacocks would look nice and probably work out fine.
Whats the tank size?
I'm going to assume that the original poster is looking at getting Malawii cichlids which have the overall best balance of great color and hardiness. Malawii rift lake cichlids would have absolutely no problem with living in the 7.6 - 8.0 ph range, as would the ca\sa's that he mentioned. American cichlids are just meaner (for the most part).
I am thinking though that a nice Geo, quality FM and one or two peacocks would look nice and probably work out fine.
Whats the tank size?
i don't knoiw what kind of fish you want to mix, i was told that it was ok to keep an african in a ca/sa community tank as long as you only have 1 african. Myself i've been able to keep a polystigma/livistonii and a hemichromis in a tank w/2 O's, a RD,jacks, jags, FM's, cons, and a uro. this tank has been running for 2 years with this mix of fish. Not saying its recommended or ideal, but it can be done.