Heckelii as dithers for large centrals

[PhishMon84]

exactly as the title reads-

Debating using my (3) heckelii as dithers in a mixed CA community.

The tank is a 180 there’s 6-7 different fish in the tank ranging from 5”-12” pretty placid mix currently.

Anyone used these for this purpose with or without luck in the past?

 

[Gourami Swami]

Dithers are fish (usually schoolers) who's purpose is to make the larger fish feel comfortable, like there are no predators around. Target fish is the term used to describe cichlids which are placed with other cichlids to draw some aggression away from the "main" fish. I think you are intending to use the Heckelli as target fish, correct?

Depending on the centrals, I would say heckelli probably not a great choice for targets. They are less aggressive in general than centrals, not particularly tough or hardy, and have long trailing fins. Convicts would probably be a much better choice as target fish for large centrals.

 

[PhishMon84]

Hi Gourami-

Thank you

I’m aware of the differences between targets and dithers.

My trio of heckelii are constantly schooling in a 125- they stay in the upper third of the tank. There are cutteri and siquia males in the central tank for targets.

Just looking to repurpose the group I have to keep the top of the other setup active.

Also my daemon doesn’t like the heckelii very much.

 

[Gourami Swami]

Ah I see, my bad, don't usually hear people wanting to actually use cichlids as dithers. If you are having issues with the centrals being shy, and you think the central mix is passive enough to not rip their tails off, I guess give it a shot.

 

[jonclark96]

Keep in mind that as the heckelii grow, they are notorious for being hard on one another.

 

[PhishMon84]

Keep in mind that as the heckelii grow, they are notorious for being hard on one another.

Yeah I used to have (5), down to (3)

Dominant male beat on the two subdoms- rehomed those.
So I have 1M 2F they are between 5.5-7”
I moved them since posting this, they look great and the 125 I took them out of has become super placid- granted it’s all new so I’ll keep an eye out