I believe I finally have all of the cichlids that I want to keep and move into my larger aquarium next year. I have a Vieja Syn., Buttikoferi, Red Devil, and Jack Dempsey. I'm looking to acquire a 150gal from my LFS or craigslist. I want to stock if with those cichlids and maybe a Green Terror. The issue I'm having is with the BGK and my cichlids. Is it possible for me to have 2 BGKs in this setup or will the Cichlids harass them. (I have one that I bought last week but he/she hides all day right but the longer I have it I expect it to come out during the day more.) Whenever I see BGK videos or pics they're always housed with angels, sevs, and discuss but not the more aggressive cichlids. With the proper hiding places can BGks live with aggressive cichlids in a larger aquarium?
Black Ghost Knife with CA/SA cichlids
- Thread starter 901MFKer
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2 bgks is too big for a 150 for them to coexist, they like a lot of swimming area and tunnels/caves to hide. I would also not add a BGK in your tank with a red devil/butti, BGK are rather peaceful fish.
In the videos you watch of them coming out its because they are used to the tank and don't fear/ get harassed. Chances of it coming out in the day is very slim since your big fish will be intimidating him.
In a larger tank, I think it's possible, but I think you will just have to try your luck with a 150, like I said they like tunnels and things so that takes a lot of footprint alone.
In the videos you watch of them coming out its because they are used to the tank and don't fear/ get harassed. Chances of it coming out in the day is very slim since your big fish will be intimidating him.
In a larger tank, I think it's possible, but I think you will just have to try your luck with a 150, like I said they like tunnels and things so that takes a lot of footprint alone.
THanks for the reply! I have plenty of hiding spots for the little 4" guy right now. He's been coming out at night of course. So, today I went to my LFS and bought some earthworms and placed one directly outside of his little hideout and he came out and got him within 20secs. Since that he has change hiding spaces to a pretty slim crevice between the rocks in the middle of my tank and is kinda poking his head out and swimming around the front and center of the tank. I'm thinking when he gets used to the feeding schedule and and associates me with food he will come out more. My cichlids don't bother him at all. They're too busy fussing amongst themselves to be worried with him. Also I added a convict pair hoping they will breed soon and he will able to eat the fry at night.
I suspect (in a 180) the Butti in particular matures, [& perhaps the RD] you'll be lucky to have those work out.
Convict pair will aggressively protect their turf.
Even a large BGK is defenseless compared to those. I'd feel better that BGKs growing up together possibly could work out their conspecific territorial aggression with lots of places to choose from, than with some of your chosen fish with them long term.
I dunno WTH you're even thinking about the Butti.. it's not unusual for them to be fine until one day and then delete a whole tank of fish.
I'd never subject a BGK to that. at least the others have natural fight.
maybe other members see it different, *shrug.
Convict pair will aggressively protect their turf.
Even a large BGK is defenseless compared to those. I'd feel better that BGKs growing up together possibly could work out their conspecific territorial aggression with lots of places to choose from, than with some of your chosen fish with them long term.
I dunno WTH you're even thinking about the Butti.. it's not unusual for them to be fine until one day and then delete a whole tank of fish.
I'd never subject a BGK to that. at least the others have natural fight.
maybe other members see it different, *shrug.
Observe now if I were you, because when you put your breeding convict all hell will break loose. For the BGK I think if it's a success you should post a vid for the said set up. And also don't trust CA/SA cichlids to be a team player, they're all time bombs, once all territory/ pecking order is messed up, you don't wanna see dead fish floating. But still hoping for the best, people will never know what's an individual fish personality, but I hope for your set up's success it's just that everyone is aware your set up is risky as risky it can be.
Thanks for the advice the convict pair are basically there to make babies, get bullied, and I want the BGK to pick the babies off at night. As of right now my BGK is doing very well. I only feed him/her during the day time hoping to make him more comfortable about coming out during the day.
Also here's a succes story about BGK pair my aunt kept in a 75gal for i know at least 5 years and they got along great! They actually shared the same log and she recently got out of the hobby and gave them to a friend of hers and i'm sure they're still doing well together. So I know BGK can live together but I do think it works better when you have two small ones that grow together.
Also here's a succes story about BGK pair my aunt kept in a 75gal for i know at least 5 years and they got along great! They actually shared the same log and she recently got out of the hobby and gave them to a friend of hers and i'm sure they're still doing well together. So I know BGK can live together but I do think it works better when you have two small ones that grow together.
The largest problem with your stocking list is not having 2 BGKs together, it is combining BGK with Large aggressive cichlids. THAT is why they are not kept together.
Any discussion about which cichlids are aggressive will mention red devil and butti.
Tilapia buttikoferi are not CA. 150G tank is not "large" for one Butti.
Scientific Name: Tilapia buttikoferi
Geo. Origin: Coastal rivers from Guinea-Bissau to West Liberia
Temperament: Highly Aggressive
Conspecific Temperament: Aggressive
Maximum Size: 18"
Temperature: 73-77°F
pH: 6.5 - 7.0
Water Hardness: Hard
no point in mentioning the diff water preferences between BGKs and butti or the CAs because the stocklist is quite doomed without even considering that.