mixing non-cichlids with mbuna

[syddakyd]

well those africans are farm raised but i ave a feeling my loaches are wild caught. so i am more concerned about the loaches.

im thinking of an eclectic mix with the following

african cichlids
big school of tiger barbs
my 3 tinfoil barbs
11-12 skunk loaches
2 polka dot loaches (plus 4 more soon)
rainbow shark
and maybe 4 clown loaches

the only problem is i have an african knife and i have a feeling he might get beat up. he did very well with south american cichlids though including an adult mean midas that wouldnt let me put my hand in the tank


i want the tank very colourful and active. i am prepared to do constant heavy water changes. this is now my old aquarium so my focus is on that.

 

[gt1009]

What about Bichirs? I don't know if they can compete with the cichlids for food, but it would be cool to see some ornates or endils with some africans. I think senegals would be a good experiment with this, since they are only like 5 bucks at petsmart.

 

[Otherone]

What about Bichirs? I don't know if they can compete with the cichlids for food, but it would be cool to see some ornates or endils with some africans. I think senegals would be a good experiment with this, since they are only like 5 bucks at petsmart.

One of my Bichars is Ornate and the other Senagals.............I drop massivore into the tank after the africans eat to avoid te competition.

 

[gt1009]

Hmm, I might have to try to grow out a senegal then.

 

[syddakyd]

thought bichirs would get beat up...or the larger ones would eat the cichlids at night

 

[greenearthlawns]

well those africans are farm raised but i ave a feeling my loaches are wild caught. so i am more concerned about the loaches.

im thinking of an eclectic mix with the following

african cichlids
big school of tiger barbs
my 3 tinfoil barbs
11-12 skunk loaches
2 polka dot loaches (plus 4 more soon)
rainbow shark
and maybe 4 clown loaches

the only problem is i have an african knife and i have a feeling he might get beat up. he did very well with south american cichlids though including an adult mean midas that wouldnt let me put my hand in the tank


i want the tank very colourful and active. i am prepared to do constant heavy water changes. this is now my old aquarium so my focus is on that.

sounds very original... I am interested to hear how it turns out and see pics!!

 

[sutherland]

Tinfoil barbs were chased and picked to death.

Tiger barbs disappear one at a time until all was gone.

Redtail shark is currently doing fine in the tank but has missing scales from getting picked on. He is about 4 inches and bigger than the africans.

Syno Petro catfish are left alone never had issues with any kind of Syno kept with my africans.

Clown loaches/ Kuhli Loach kept them to keep the snails down and never had any issues.

Leoporinus they are fine since they are pretty agressive in nature.

Flowerhorn, Red Terror, Green Terror and Severums (they were about 2 to 3 inches and aficans were 3 to 4 inches) was beat up pretty bad.

Firemouth and Convicts were killed.

Cubans are doing fine except for some tear fins but they know how and back off. I think that is why the other cichlids did not make it they just want to keep fighting.

I hope this answers your questions.

Very well said. The best tankmate for African Cichlids are African Cichlids. Synodontis do well, there are varieties that are thrive in the same temperature and water parameters (many come from the same region).

Convicts/Firemouth require different water parameters. Clown Loaches require different water parameters and at least 100G and do better in shoals (Loaches also grow more than 12 inches long).

 

[Otherone]

thought bichirs would get beat up...or the larger ones would eat the cichlids at night

I have a full grown Gold Dust Bichir 11".........she's not in the african tank but still she would be hard pressed to eat a full grown mbuna, I seriouly doudt she could swallow one not saying it's impossible but bichirs aren't as fast as mbuna's even trying to catch a juvi would be difficult, no it's far easier for them to eat leftovers then to chase down an mbuna.

 

[gobucks1]

I can vouch for Giant Danios and Leporinus if its not a breeding tank.

When my female Kennyi was holding, the Leporinus ripped out her throat to get at the eggs. They were about the same size too.

 

[navygirl76]

ive seen some photos on here of ppl who keep their africans with jewel cichlids-i just keep my africans by themselves

now haps-i have seen some ppl mix haps with other large fish..