Something Small

[thefishguy7]

Any ideas of something to breed that's small (under 3") and peaceful? Needs to be colorful. I was thinking apistos or other dwarf cichlids. If there are any mouthbrooding species please let me know, they interest me most.
No live bearers please...

 

[Mike fail]

neets?

 

[jag123]

Kribs? They may get a little bigger than 3" Also mouthbrooders and fairly peaceable.

 

[Titania]

Kribs? They may get a little bigger than 3" Also mouthbrooders and fairly peaceable.

Kribs aren't mouthbrooders, and they aren't peaceful when they're spawning. Mine hold a tank full of adult severums at bay. And they fight amongst themselves constantly.

Apistos would certainly fit the bill. You could also consider the Egyptian mouthbrooders cichlids (Pseudocrenilabrus multicolor).

 

[thefishguy7]

Kribs aren't mouthbrooders, and they aren't peaceful when they're spawning. Mine hold a tank full of adult severums at bay. And they fight amongst themselves constantly.

Apistos would certainly fit the bill. You could also consider the Egyptian mouthbrooders cichlids (Pseudocrenilabrus multicolor).

The Egyptian mouthbrooders certainly catch my eye. According to fish base, they are not readily available. What can I expect to pay for juves?

 

[Titania]

I just checked with one of my LFS. Here are prices...they don't have multicolor available, but these are very similar and all mouthbrooders. I know Ned ships to NJ.

Pseudocrenilabrus nicholsi C.Afr. Vic.Cich. 3 5.0 - 6.0 $22 ea
Pseudocrenilabrus philander Bejri C.Afr. Vic.Cich. 15 3.0 - 4.0 $18 ea Pseudocrenilabrus philander dispersus C.Afr. Vic.Cich. 15 3.0 - 4.0 $10 ea Pseudocrenilabrus philander dispersus C.Afr. Vic.Cich. 10 4.0 - 5.0 $12 ea

 

[thefishguy7]

I like the Pseudocrenilabrus nicholsi. According to some sites they are highly aggressive? I'm looking for something peaceful. (or at least peaceful compared to other cichlids)

 

[fishkeeper1]

shelldwelling cichlids. some like brevis get to about 3" and other get smaller, like my multies, get about 2" and females are lucky to hit 1.50" there moderately agressive defending their shells but i keep them w/ guppies and on an ocassion have found dead babies but thats when they go near a females shell with fry. and the guppies that die are under .5"

 

[Titania]

I like the Pseudocrenilabrus nicholsi. According to some sites they are highly aggressive? I'm looking for something peaceful. (or at least peaceful compared to other cichlids)

I've actually been planning on picking up some of these guys for a while. Your question just prompted me. I'm getting some of the philanders to try. I plan on keeping them in my heavily planted 65 gal tank with a breeding group of angelfish. I've had apistos in there before, so I'll let you know how they do.

Shellies are fun. I've got those too...I've had occies in the past, but now only have similis. The only downside is, like most africans, they grow kinda slow.

 

[fishkeeper1]

they do grow slow, but not as bad as guppies! but the higher protein foods help quicken up their growth. a shellie and a guppy grow at a similar rate, but guppies grow quicker when small and totally slow down when they hit the 1" mark while shellies start a growth burst at .5" i totally forgot what my shellies looked like at the .5" stage, now there all practically adults