silver dollar w/ cichlids?

[gveng]

i have a 40 gallon with 3 jewel cichlids. the tank is kind of boring since the cichlids keep to themselves in the caves and rocks. i'm thinking of picking up some silver dollars to stay towards the top of the tank. i know they require and least a 20 gallon, but it also says they need to be in a school of at least 4.

so thoughts? good idea bad idea?

lmk!!

 

[Chefken]

Silver dollars get 11-12 inches and need closer to 100 gallon for a group!

 

[ceeej31]

Silver dollars get 11-12 inches and need closer to 100 gallon for a group!

not all kinds, mylossoma and myleus species will get around that size or bigger but spotted SD's max out at around 4-6"

 

[gveng]

http://www.fishlore.com/Profiles-SilverDollar.htm

these guys...

 

[m1ste2tea]

its funny you should ask that, I have been wondering about the same thing today, silver dollars with african cichlids... I have a 55 gallon with mbuna and im thinking about doing the same thing...


some things to be said about it. Silver dollars will supposedly eat your live plants. Plus they have a lower PH preference in comparison to african cichlids, but if you keep your water PH around 7 then I think both parties will be happy.

one major concern is the african cichlid's aggressive nature, they will tend to test other fish, nibble on them, if they're easy targets then they might just become food for the africans. Id say with a 40 gallon tank, you'd be overstocked if you put 4 SD's, you might be able to get away with it if you have only low lying decorations and have a filtration system rated for something in the 100 gallon tank category.

how big are your cichlids right now?