mixing chiclids? (African/S.American)

[fish head )'>]

As someone fairly new to the hobby, I would like to ask:

Can one successfully mix fish that would normally never live together?



specifically- African chiclids with South American chiclids?
(Assuming basic simularities of size, temperment etc.)

I am sure that there are hard core purest that hold to"keepin' it real." (mixing fish, plants and decor -true to nature) But I am only talking compatability.

 

[DJ BIG T]

you could do it but i would not recommd it... by the way welcome to MFK....

 

[Jason_S]

some africans and south or central americans can be mixed just fine. it all depends on wether you want a tank with a bunch of colorful fish or something that looks natural that allows your fish to show their natural behavior. the less natural the tank and inhabitants the less natural behavior you'll see from the fish, especially where cichlids are concerned.

 

[Miles]

Both types are very adaptable, but it would be a best idea to keep them in harder water. The africans are less adaptable to soft water, than the SA cichlids would be to hard water.

The other problems you might have is growth rate, size difference, and aggression/territory issues. Fish that decide to pair off can be trouble, and each species can be unpredictable during different stages of growth.

When the S.A. Cichlids become full grown, which they will reach long before the African species, they can make a quick lunch of the Africans. On the other hand, when the Africans are smaller and similiar in size to the slower and less agile S.A. Cichlids, they could torment them with their quick dash'n'run attacks.

If you pick your sizes and species wisely, it is definately do-able. However, it is not reccomended as the mixture can cause acute stress and could lead to more problems then a 'bio-tope' type set-up. It is also harder to achieve long-term success when doing these types of combos, and you're fish might not live up to their potential, literally.

 

[casperbgk]

It depends what ones. Ive got a big oscar whos a total sook and i have a hole heap of flameback girls in with him, there about a quarter of his size. ive also got a braziliensis in with my other africans. i wouldnt try mixing africans in with red devils, black belts etc.

 

[danepatrick]

Both types are very adaptable, but it would be a best idea to keep them in harder water. The africans are less adaptable to soft water, than the SA cichlids would be to hard water.

The other problems you might have is growth rate, size difference, and aggression/territory issues. Fish that decide to pair off can be trouble, and each species can be unpredictable during different stages of growth.

When the S.A. Cichlids become full grown, which they will reach long before the African species, they can make a quick lunch of the Africans. On the other hand, when the Africans are smaller and similiar in size to the slower and less agile S.A. Cichlids, they could torment them with their quick dash'n'run attacks.

If you pick your sizes and species wisely, it is definately do-able. However, it is not reccomended as the mixture can cause acute stress and could lead to more problems then a 'bio-tope' type set-up. It is also harder to achieve long-term success when doing these types of combos, and you're fish might not live up to their potential, literally.

 

[johno27]

Keep in mind that most Africans prefer slightly different water parameters than most new world cichlids one or the other will be suffering slightly. But as a matter of fact I have done it before buddha are great to mix with new world and I have seen polleni(sp) do fine as well

 

[inline4]

i had a 7 inch pike cichlid with little 2 inch africans.. muahahaha.. nothing ever happened though. she didnt even attempt to consume the little buggers.

 

[Tongue33]

Here is my take on this.. I also have a Kenyi in the same tank with these two and a Blue Con,Texas,Flowerhorn...And A snowflake eel..

They are moving from their 55 to a 125 in a week..

 

[Nate77]

i had oscars, frontossa,and pair of convicts in the same tank with out any problems