Dithers for Haitiensis?

[isde02]

Can I use dither fish with my haitian pair? Some people say keep them solo, and I've seen other people keep them with clown loaches and other fish. I want to add some dither fish but I dont want to stress my pair what do you guys think?

 

[BKeen]

Don't add dithers. Just my $.02. BlueDemp has clown loaches and others IIRC and it works for him. Why risk it though?

 

[Pandamania]

I had 'head and tail lite' Tetras in with Kenyi's and JD, they are totally fine. The Kenyi only went after other cichlids any way! Also have a chinese algae eater and a group of cory's, 3 yoyo and polka dot loach's. I have put the Kenyi in their own tank, due to aggression. Everybody else in that tank now get along 'swimmingly'!

 

[isde02]

Bkeen I don't wanna risk it but my male is abusive
and im just trying to keep the female alive. I have caves
but apparently that isn't enough.

 

[Freshwaterpredators]

Use a divider or look for a couple other females for a better bond with your male so things aren't so rough. And usually with cichlids, with or without dithers won't help a subdominant fish from getting beatings. Cichlids are very territorial and will hunt down and dominate any fish that poses a threat or is conspecific. And dithers don't pose a threat, they work well for diffusion of aggression but your male will either get bored with them and go back to beating his girl or kill them, then go back to beating her. Another thing is use the divider untill she is a lil bigger and can push back better

 

[isde02]

Yea...I think ill just get a divider.

 

[duanes]

Jason is on the money.
Anything a hait can't kill has the potential to cause it to bloat.
Although adept killers, stress is a most insidious enemy
The divider creates a place of interest without a serious threat.