Debate

[searcyb]

I want to know if anyone out there shares the same thoughts about setting up a fish tank that can house both africans and americans together. I know there is the debate that africans want harder water with a higher pH but I think that really is not the case. I know that my oscars will do just fine if I add to their 125 gal tank some africans.

I really am just curious if anyone has ever tried this and had a major problem.

 

[Peanut_Power]

No, because Africans annoy the heck outa me...lol...great fish...just not for me. But really...you shouldn't mix fish from two completely different continents. There are so many problems just askin to happen. Water conditions are for the most part very different dependin on location, gestures and coloring mean different things, size and attitude, so many things stand out to me as to why you shouldn't keep them together. Not to mention that it also looks kinda tacky! Its plain to see to even a non-fish keeper that you have two very different kinds of fish in the same tank that shouldn't be together...

 

[sleepyflight]

I don't see anything wrong with it. There are lots of Africans that can look drab at a decent size (or normal compared to an Amer.) that will look good later and practically blend in....There are species from both also that either do and/or don't have metallic looks. Always a way to do things tastefully. If you like it why not....but I don't see a problem with mixing as long as you understand what you're doing.

 

[Peanut_Power]

Biggest problem is the pH and hardness...most CA/SA cichlids can adjust to harder waters....and higher pH...i don't know about africans goin to softer, lower pH waters. Also, colors and gestures mean totally differen things....so one fish might be showing submission while the other fish thinkz its aggression..not kewl....lol....

 

[sleepyflight]

In that sense I say water qual. not an issue then....make it closer to the less tolerant fish. I've done this before and haven't even noticed any behavior problems with aggression either.

 

[Peanut_Power]

What cichlids? I'm assumin not to many of the larger CA/SA cichlids..ie pike cichlids/pbass.....seems like that would be a bit of a lunch problem...

 

[piranha45]

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showpost.php?p=46300&postcount=15

 

[Peanut_Power]

so what r you saying?

 

[piranha45]

that we need to save the gray whales before they go extinct

 

[Peanut_Power]

what about the blue? or the baleen? Or the wright?