I have two 55 gallon tanks, one containing a 6 inch red devil, and the other with 4 jds, about 4 inches, 2 firemouths, 1 pleco. I'm planning on getting rid of 1 of the firemouths, 2 of the jacks, and the pleco because he doesn't do a very good job cleaning. I am looking to potentially put an invertebrate or two in each tank to keep things clean... any ideas on what might be a good fit? I have seen some nice blue crayfish at the local fish spot but I know they might be food after a while.
Inverts for large cichlids
- Thread starter JeffLeMay
- Start date
Hmmm... I wouldn't think that your cichlids would pay much attention to a large apple snail, but, I'm not sure. I don't have any experience keeping inverts with cichlids, but, just a thought... Maybe someone else has tried this? You're probably right about the crayfish.
Crayfish would be a bad idea unless you were intentionally adding them to feed your cichlids. A good choice for cleaning would be MTS (Malaysian trumpet snails). They won't rip your plants up, eat leftovers, aerate your gravel, and have shells too hard for most fish to damage.
An added bonus is no unsightly jelly masses all over your tank. MTS are live-bearing snails.
An added bonus is no unsightly jelly masses all over your tank. MTS are live-bearing snails.
I have kept large crays with red devils before. They usually creat a mutual respect. This cray in particular was with a breeding pair of devils. He would pick of a fry or two but there was so many it did'nt matter. I have this one and other available if you are interested.
ive kept a blue crayfish in a 4 foot grow out tank wit h2 jds angels salvinis, general cichlids about a year and they were fine, the cray passed of old age.
all cichlids are different. some will tear up crayfish and others will leave them alone. it's all trial and error when dealing with larger cichlids. 
I also had a Frontosa scare the heck out of a bunch of snails. and kill them. Crayfish could work, if you get bigger ones. But here's something for you...a crab. If you can get a fairly larger specimen (say 2" body width) then your problem is solved. I had one and they are fighters...had him with a 9" Blue JD, and 3-4 other large cichlids, and he made law. Each time a fish would swim by he tried to snap their tails...scared them away. After a couple days nobody looked at him anymore, and he lived a peaceful life. Plus they are amazing animals to watch.
A word of caution: cover the tank VERY WELL. They are escape artists you would not believe, found mine on the ground of my daughter's room one morning, claws up ready to attack our toes lol. Her room is a few rooms past the tank, on the other side of the house...he had climbed the filter intake pipe and got out. Mine was tagged as a "Red Crab" at the lfs.
Good luck!
A word of caution: cover the tank VERY WELL. They are escape artists you would not believe, found mine on the ground of my daughter's room one morning, claws up ready to attack our toes lol. Her room is a few rooms past the tank, on the other side of the house...he had climbed the filter intake pipe and got out. Mine was tagged as a "Red Crab" at the lfs.
Good luck!