Is this a ridiculous mix?

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I

Industrial

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jan 22, 2010
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Buffalo, NY
So I am really tight on space right now and I was wondering if I may be able to put a pair of 4" convicts, a pair of Neolamp. helianthus and a pair of hap. sp 44 in a 33 gallon aquarium. The convicts and the Neolamp. helianthus proved to be too aggressive to mix with any bottom dwellers in my 6'x2' tank.

Right now the convicts are in the 33 long by themselves. I am keeping it at 68 so they don't spawn frequently and fight less. The Neolamp. helianthus are by far the most aggressive Neolamp. I've seen and I hope can hold their own with convicts. The Neolamps are full grown (2 1/2" and 4"). The haps are new and I have no idea how they will act with other fish.

So my question is, does the mix sound impossible? Also what is the lowest temperature I can keep the fish at? The convicts did fine at 65 degrees for months at one point, but I am more worried about the African cichlids.
 
I can't say that 65 degrees would be bad, but I personally would not go below 68 for africans.

As far as the mix, I have never kept hap. sp. 44, but this link (http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/h_sp44.php) says nothing smaller than a 75gallon. So whether the fish are compatible or not you shouldn't put these fish in a 33 gallon tank. Also, 4" fish is pushing it for a 33 gallon tank - and it is even worse since convicts grow to 6"+. Don't know anything about the neolamp. helianthus so can't comment.

To sum, two the the three species are too large for a 33 gallon - so I would definitely suggest something else.
 
I think my convicts are done growing. I've had one for two years and another since Spring, and they put on 1/4" or less. I am not planning on permanently keeping them in a 33 long either. I may end up rehoming the convicts and Haps and either set up a Tanganyika aquarium for the Helianthus or rehome them if they do not end up spawning or getting along with other tangs. I was mostly worried about the temperature, since I figured the cichlid who couldn't tolerate 68 would be killed off. For size, I am not worried as of now, since they will only be in the tank for a couple of months. Thanks for your input though!
 
+1
 
I have kept helianthus with a hap. 12 frontosa (4-7 inch range) and a syno in a 150 before with no issues - each held their own. I removed the helianthus and put him with 2others in a 55gal with 5 neolamp. busheri a leleupi, a mustax and a daffodil brichardi and a small syno cat. all get along just fine. I have always had a good experience with this fish and it can def. hold its own (though if it will fit in someones mouth then it always has the chance of being eaten). However I would not mix all of those fish in that small of a tank and I wouldn't put the Africans in that temp. of water. The lowest I have ever kept mine is 75 on my front tank (but they are also a deep water species), I keep it at 78 on the rest of them. I just think that 68 might be a bit cool for a warmer water fish.
 
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