stocking with rainbow cichlids

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Rivers2k

Rivers2k

Piranha
MFK Member
Dec 27, 2011
1,531
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NY
I put two rainbow cichlids in my 75 gallon CA tank. I really like them but they aren't doing so well with my HRP and firemouths I don't know if it is cause they are a little smaller or on the more peaceful side. They don't get harassed or chased all the time but they are getting tagged often enough. So I have decided to move them to a 40 breeder I have running now and they will be the "center piece"

My question is what are some recommendations to put in with them. I don't want more cichlids in that tank as I already have a cichlid tank. I was thinking something more peaceful. I am open to suggestions. I was thinking maybe something smaller and schooling or 3 or 4 of another type of fish. I don't know I am open to ideas.

only thoughts I am having now are one of the following but nothing is really jumping out say I gotta have it.

Mollies
Cherry barbs
Odessa barbs
Bosemani rainbows
 
Mollies and Gambusia (or many other live bearers) and a number of Astyanax tetra species would be geographically correct.
I also keep rainbow cichlids with Aspidorus catfish (geographically incorrect).

 
I am not so concerned with geographical correctness on this one, But maybe a few mollies would be good. The rainbows probably help with all the off spring mollies have as well.

Racking my brain to try and think of a bluish colored fish that would look good sort of contrast the yellow.

What about a pearl Gourami?
 
Rivers2k said:
I am not so concerned with geographical correctness on this one, But maybe a few mollies would be good. The rainbows probably help with all the off spring mollies have as well.

Racking my brain to try and think of a bluish colored fish that would look good sort of contrast the yellow.

What about a pearl Gourami?
Click to expand...

dwarf turquoise rainbow fish
 
xraycer said:
dwarf turquoise rainbow fish
Click to expand...

ooooh good call. I think they would be perfect. how many should I get?

They also reminded me of columbian red fin tetra's those would look good also.
 
I'd go 4-5
 
As Duane suggested, mollies and/or tetras would be good tank mates for rainbows. I've found them to be some of the least assertive CA cichlids available. They don't do well if they aren't the dominant fish in the tank.
 
+ the DTRF will occupy the top half of the tank and the RC will occupy the lower half
 
I think I have decided on either the dwarf rainbow or the columbian red fins. I am not sure yet. I will give the Rainbow Cichlids a week or two to settle in before adding tank mates.

Next question.
I am moving them tomorrow night. The 40 gallon currently has a bunch of Honduran red point x convict fry that I don't care to much about I took the fry and the female out so they wouldn't dominate my main tank. I would like to save a few of them but not all. My rainbow cichlids are about 1.5"-2" and the fry are around 6 weeks. Will the rainbow eat up the fry or will they ignore since they are more on the veggie side as far as cichlids go. If you dont think they will eat the fry I may put a bunch of the fry back in the maintank as feeders cause I am sure my Firemouths and HRPs will eat them.
 
Cichlid being cichlid, I would think they would attempt to eat the fries if they are small enough
 
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