first try at cichlid tank
- Thread starter naten
- Start date
Rams would be a better choice for a tank of that size (but not with the firemouths). I had 4 firemouths in a 180, and they were relentless on each other. In the 35, you will like end up with a lot of aggression and possibly dead fish.
Your definitely going to want to take the auratus out, their known for being one of the most aggressive mbuna.
Four FM's will probably end badly...
Honestly, I would completely start over in this tank, or keep just one of the FM's and build it up from there.
Four FM's will probably end badly...
Honestly, I would completely start over in this tank, or keep just one of the FM's and build it up from there.
yeah take the africans back or you will have a war before you know it, it would be good to have a larger fish to intimidate the firemouths but not something too aggressive. I would suggest an oscar but you will need a much larger tank in the long run, and many people do not like oscars. If this is the case then depending on their temperament maybe a jd or even a sevrum.
I have successfully kept all of the combination's of fish Ive suggested but never with a group of firemouths and depending on the attitude of the fish you may not be as lucky, it all really depends on the predisposition of the fish.
Good luck and have fun
I have successfully kept all of the combination's of fish Ive suggested but never with a group of firemouths and depending on the attitude of the fish you may not be as lucky, it all really depends on the predisposition of the fish.
Good luck and have fun
Well, I guess I need to find a knowlegable LFS because petco has let me down again. The guy told me that firemouth could go in a community tank. I didn't do that. It sounds like the 4 firemouth and the 3 rams that he suggested are going to do some battle. Maybe it'll work out. I doubt it though. I guess I'll chock it up to inexpierience and learn something from it.
I guess I should have known. A month or so ago they told me a pair of leperinus would be good in my community tank. I found out it wasn't a good idea when they ate a red platy and a cory. Oh well. At least I know about this site now and I'll be checking with all of you before I do anything new again. Thanks for all the info.
Firemouth usually do well in a community semi aggressive setup, If kept alone. If they begin to breed, issues shall arise. I have a single firemouth in with fish half his size and he doesn't bother them much. He really mellowed out when I put a male sajica in there despite being much smaller. I would try and find a blue eyed sajica they are lovely and stay smaller. A pair of rainbow cichlids, festivums, some of the smaller geophagus would be nice. Pictus catfish are hilarious. It my end up being crowded in the future but as it usually goes you WILL GET A BIGGER TANK.
the firemouth would mess the poor rams up.
dwarf cichlids would be good in that tanks and they are mostly great with communitys. Rams,Apistogramma, Laetacara, and Keyholes are good picks.
dwarf cichlids would be good in that tanks and they are mostly great with communitys. Rams,Apistogramma, Laetacara, and Keyholes are good picks.
firemouths are cool little fish but they attitudes are larger then them its like they dont know they small 
are you still going to upgrade to larger tank stick them in thier once you do and add 2 larger fish they should be ok in that tank till about 3 inch maybe some casualties 
or get some goldfish or minnows they can pick on 
sad i know but they will go for weaker fish before they tear each other up
are you still going to upgrade to larger tank stick them in thier once you do and add 2 larger fish they should be ok in that tank till about 3 inch maybe some casualties or get some goldfish or minnows they can pick on sad i know but they will go for weaker fish before they tear each other upJust to clarify, the rams could go in my 35 gal commmunity tank with swords, platys, ect? That tank is also 35 gal. Then the firemouths should be okay for a couple of months until I finish gathering my 125 tank and all the equipment to go with it. Thanks again everyone.
