It's been a long time since I've been on here, but I've grown, and continue to grow my hobby in the time I've been gone (bigger apartment, bigger tank).
I currently have 3 Firemouth Meeki (3 inches all male), 1 Jack Dempsey (5 inches male), 1 Tiger Oscar (4.5 inches male), and 1 Blood Parrot (7-7.5 inches female) together. The tank is only a 55 gallon for now, but is currently fitted with two 60 gallon Tetra filters and an airstone for further airation. It is a planted tank filled with driftwood and rock, but due to the rock (Dolomite Limestone) the water stays slightly basic. I have Mostly Amazon Sword species and an Anubias plants, but there is some Mondo Grass (non-aquatic) used as fodder for the Blood Parrot that nips plants. It is fully cycled, and is balanced, regardless of the amount of fish. I change water, 15 gallons, at least every 3 days, but was not uncommon to do this everyday when the tank was cycling.
What I'm looking for is a bottom feeder that will be able to stand up to these cichlids. I've tried a Plecostomus, which lasted about 5 minutes before I decided it took enough of a beating and was returned, it was at least 8 inches long.
The disposition of the fish are of course aggressive. Pound for pound the Firemouth's are the worst, the three of them flare their gills at each other all day long (no fighting or nipping), but will stop only when the Oscar comes near and will all 3 chase him away. The three of them patrol the top of the tank fairly quickly. The Oscar is bullied by everything and is the most passive in the tank, but will change with age, and currently stays in the upper half of the tank, mainly due to the caves being owned by other fish. For now the JD owns the tank with the Parrot, the 2 have been together since the Pet Store, and will swim together, share the same cave and never mess with one another, but will attack others or newcomers together. It was these two who beat upon the Plecostomus collaboratively, of course the Parrot did virtually no damage due to its mouth but was there for moral support. This particular blood parrot has a very small hump on its back that most have, and its mouth is only slightly deformed, she has aparently escaped many of the noticable physical deformities this hybrid carries.
I've been looking around and I'm trying to find a decent sized catfish that will stand up to these Cichlids, without getting to large to harm them. I'm also interested in what they call an Australian Cobalt Blue Lobster (crayfish), but am afraid it will cause harm to the cichlids if not banded, and if banded at the claws, could that cause damage over time, or at least atrophy of muscles? I want a bottom feeder for the asthetic appeal of having one, I clean the tank. Any suggestions for bottom feeders are very welcome, I don't know much about bottom dwellers, I've always owned cichlids and spiny eels.
And I hope I have supplied enough information
I currently have 3 Firemouth Meeki (3 inches all male), 1 Jack Dempsey (5 inches male), 1 Tiger Oscar (4.5 inches male), and 1 Blood Parrot (7-7.5 inches female) together. The tank is only a 55 gallon for now, but is currently fitted with two 60 gallon Tetra filters and an airstone for further airation. It is a planted tank filled with driftwood and rock, but due to the rock (Dolomite Limestone) the water stays slightly basic. I have Mostly Amazon Sword species and an Anubias plants, but there is some Mondo Grass (non-aquatic) used as fodder for the Blood Parrot that nips plants. It is fully cycled, and is balanced, regardless of the amount of fish. I change water, 15 gallons, at least every 3 days, but was not uncommon to do this everyday when the tank was cycling.
What I'm looking for is a bottom feeder that will be able to stand up to these cichlids. I've tried a Plecostomus, which lasted about 5 minutes before I decided it took enough of a beating and was returned, it was at least 8 inches long.
The disposition of the fish are of course aggressive. Pound for pound the Firemouth's are the worst, the three of them flare their gills at each other all day long (no fighting or nipping), but will stop only when the Oscar comes near and will all 3 chase him away. The three of them patrol the top of the tank fairly quickly. The Oscar is bullied by everything and is the most passive in the tank, but will change with age, and currently stays in the upper half of the tank, mainly due to the caves being owned by other fish. For now the JD owns the tank with the Parrot, the 2 have been together since the Pet Store, and will swim together, share the same cave and never mess with one another, but will attack others or newcomers together. It was these two who beat upon the Plecostomus collaboratively, of course the Parrot did virtually no damage due to its mouth but was there for moral support. This particular blood parrot has a very small hump on its back that most have, and its mouth is only slightly deformed, she has aparently escaped many of the noticable physical deformities this hybrid carries.
I've been looking around and I'm trying to find a decent sized catfish that will stand up to these Cichlids, without getting to large to harm them. I'm also interested in what they call an Australian Cobalt Blue Lobster (crayfish), but am afraid it will cause harm to the cichlids if not banded, and if banded at the claws, could that cause damage over time, or at least atrophy of muscles? I want a bottom feeder for the asthetic appeal of having one, I clean the tank. Any suggestions for bottom feeders are very welcome, I don't know much about bottom dwellers, I've always owned cichlids and spiny eels.
And I hope I have supplied enough information
