Could I keep a tetra shoal with this group?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I would think maybe. If your cichlids are all tank raised and have never eaten feeder fish, and you keep them well fed. I made the mistake once of putting serpae tetras and tiger barbs in with some bigger cichlids. At first it seemed like it would work but slowly the little guys began to disappear each night when the lights were out.

Naldo
 
For tetra's, go with the larger species in the Hyphessobrycon genus: Black skirts, bleeding hearts, Colombians (my fav!). Some others I'm sure.

The severums and chocolate *will* decimate a shoal of smaller tetras. Our guys snacked down about 20 red-eyes. Our chocolate even ate a BN pleco once (tail was hanging out!).

-Ryan
 
So sounds like I have a fair shot if I go with big ones like bleeding hearts or blackskirts. I actually thought about silver hatchets but they'd be living right in my chalceus' domain, I think he'd pick them off. I will definitely stay away from little tetras and otto cats though.

I might test it out with maybe a couple dozen rosies and see how they last, and if they don't get picked off try some tetras. I've really never fed feeders to this group, I honestly have no idea how they'll react to them.
 
Doesn't matter if the cichlids have been fed feeders. It's just instinct. Anything that fits in their mouth is considered a wiggling protein treat. :)

Our cichlids also seem to have an innate understanding that spiny guys like pleco's and cory's aren't worth eating.

I'd stay away from the rosies. To much risk of disease in those.

-Ryan
 
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