Can any cichlids tolerate brackish water ??

[Bgonz]

I just set up a 40 gallon brachish tank for my sons 1" diamond back terripin turtle and was wondering if any cichlids can tolerate a salinity of around .012 ???

Maybe its a stupid question but i had to ask, my kid likes those $5 assorted cichlids.

thanks...

bob

 

[stotty]

ASIAN CICHLIDS
Two or three species, belonging to the genus Etroplus , are found on the Asian Continent. These species live in the brackish water estuaries and lagoons of India and Sri Lanka.
Also A few Neotropical cichlids are recorded from brackish water conditions

Mayan Cichlid - Cichlasoma urophthalmus "Inhabits freshwater marshes and mangrove swamps. Prefers coastal lagoons and rivers and will tolerate marine conditions. Feeds on small fishes and macro-invertebrates ... Spawns in both fresh and salt water" [quote: FishBase.org]

 

[donibugs]

stotty nailed it,also,if their aclimated slowly,malawi mbuna,which might be what your seeing in the assorted african cichlid tanks should have no trouble adapting

 

[softturtle]

Geo brasiliensis has been found in brackish water(I read it in the Geo bible-South American Earth Eaters). I don't know how they would do in the long run though.

 

[straitjacketstar]

Malawi mbuna are not brackish fish, nor are they exposed to brackish conditions in the lake. Though they are hardy they do have their weaknesses and should be kept the best of one's ability.

Mayans and Mozambique tilapia (which are plentiful as an introduced species in Cali's Salton Sea).

 

[Darthsniper]

Mayan Cichlid is a very agro fish though so be warned.

 

[fishcatch22]

I don't reccomend keeping fish with turtles.

 

[Reiner]

also all fish mentioned so far that are actually found in brackish conditions will get way to big for a 40 gallon tank. I would just leave the turtle by itself since the tank is not that big to begin withspecially if you built in some land area or islands for the turtle to bask a little

 

[Jesse]

also all fish mentioned so far that are actually found in brackish conditions will get way to big for a 40 gallon tank. I would just leave the turtle by itself since the tank is not that big to begin withspecially if you built in some land area or islands for the turtle to bask a little

Actually, Etroplus maculatus (orange chromide) and the very rare E. canarensis both only reach 3-4 inches max and should do fine in a 40 for life. E. suratensis (green/silver chromide) gets to 16 inches though. That said, however, I'm not an advocate of mixing turtles and fish. The fish invariably end up as turtle chew toys.

 

[straitjacketstar]

E. canarensis is a freshwater fish. E. canarensis and E. maculatus would likely be eaten anyway.
I agree that a 40 gallon is too small for either a mayan or mozambique. Each should have a tank of at least 100 gallons.
Cons, as hardy as they are, can withstand slightly brackish conditions (maybe even more). They don't get too big but they would also eventually be eaten.

Being a keeper of both fish and turtles I personally prefer not to mix the two. You can take the chance but don't expect that nothing will ever go wrong, that you won't find a headless fish in a corner and a very satiated turtle some day.