Does anyone know of any smaller cichlids with the classic cichlid body shape which are PEACEFUL? I know that a lot of people are going to suggest apistogramma and other kinds of dwarf cichlids, but thats not really what Im looking for. Im looking for something more along the lines of Honduran red points (which Ive never kept, but have a reputation as a community fish). Another example would be rainbow cichlids. Right now I have a pair of rainbows (plus an extra rainbow) living in a 55 with a colony of guppies and a trio of bristlenoses. The rainbows never bother the guppies or even the newborn fry.
Community Cichlids (there are a few)
- Thread starter RLHam3
- Start date
Yes, it is obvious 
Rams, Brichardi, and not sure about later, but I have a baby Tropheus in a community tank, along with the Brichardi. They don't bother anybody. I also have Festivums and Angels in there too. I just ordered some Centrarchus / Fliers, which are also very peaceful, but never kept them, so I don't know if they will go after the guppies.
Rams, Brichardi, and not sure about later, but I have a baby Tropheus in a community tank, along with the Brichardi. They don't bother anybody. I also have Festivums and Angels in there too. I just ordered some Centrarchus / Fliers, which are also very peaceful, but never kept them, so I don't know if they will go after the guppies.
I presonally find tank size, layout and stock can have huge impacts on fish aggression and behavior. For example tropheous are tenacious if kept in adult form singularly but if kept in a group of 10 in a tank of 75 gallons or larger they are extremely docile to all non tropheous in the tank. The difficult thing is litterally figuring out these nuances. You can also get away with keeping non cichlids with aggressive cichlids in the right instance given certain things, strange body shapes and sufficient size. Often I've found many africans don't attack or fight non cichlid fish like eels, knives, and some gouramies. I would echo the tank size issue though in that most fish become more aggressive in smaller confines, even community fish. I wouldn't keep apisto's with community fish in a 10 gallon they'll get testy.
Here, this might be useful:
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?415023-Let-s-Discuss-Some-CA-Cichlids-for-Smaller-Tanks&highlight=
You'd want to avoid the neets and cutteri, but most other stuff in that thread should work.
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?415023-Let-s-Discuss-Some-CA-Cichlids-for-Smaller-Tanks&highlight=
You'd want to avoid the neets and cutteri, but most other stuff in that thread should work.
VRWC-I've have already searched the internet and am asking for people's advice so that i can learn about the fish less common to the hobby than what a google search brings up.
fwprawn- thanks for your input! i like the festivums, rams, and tropheous, but the Centrarchus is great! I've never heard of these guys before and they're exactly the kind of fish that i was hoping to find out about
fwprawn- thanks for your input! i like the festivums, rams, and tropheous, but the Centrarchus is great! I've never heard of these guys before and they're exactly the kind of fish that i was hoping to find out about
Most will be semi-agressive but I've had luck keeping several types of Acaras together with no problem. Other than the "classic" cichlid shape, some Festivum are mellow enough some are not but given a enough room and conspecifics to interact with they don't usually go rouge. Discus and Angel Fish work in a community setting, most SA are eaiser going than their CA counter parts. Uaru and Chocolets are not generally agressive. Severum can go either way IME I've owned some down right nasty ones. There really is a lot that work well in a community tank. You just have to provide the individual species with enough room a comfortable environment and they basicly keep to themselves.