Thorichthys and Cryptoheros compatability

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Q

Quo Vadis

Gambusia
MFK Member
Apr 12, 2014
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Wisconsin
When I was planning my tank I intentionally decided on keeping only singles of the larger cichlids, so I didn't have to deal with breeding behavior. My larger cichlids are my blue acara, firemouth and sajica, and I have pairs/groups of a couple smaller cichlids.

But now I am ordering some Gymnogeophgus online (for a different tank), and the supplier has some fairly rare cichlids, or at least some I have never seen here. I would really like to order a Cryptoheros Nanoluteus and either a Thorichthys maculipinnis (elloti?) or a Thorichthys pasiones (leaning toward the Pasiones), however I am wondering about their compatibility with my current fish, specifically my normal firemouth and sajica. Would this be likely to be a problem? How likely is it that if I have fish of opposite genders they will pair up even though they are not the same species?

Thanks!
 
Some may disagree, but I wouldn't keep the nanoluteus with the other fish in your stock list. Nanos are pretty timid from the experience I've had with them, and I don't think it would be able to thrive long term in your tank.
 
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I agree with Jon about the nanos, especially with the sajica. Although nanos are tough for their size, sajica get much larger, and may see the nanos as close competition, and something to eliminate.
If the nanos are young and same size as Thorichthys (at the point you get them) and grow up together it may work.

 
Well the Nanos would actually be coming larger than the sajica currently is. Does that make a difference? If they are very timid/peaceful would they do better if I got a few as opposed to just one? Currently the bigger fish are quite peaceful, and are doing fine living with Bolivian rams.

What about the yellow firemouth? Is their aggression more/less/equal to normal firemouths?

Thanks
 
I agree, the thing about nanos, is you can keep a group in a small planted tank and they look great, and will spawn.
When around other larger cichlids they tend to be intimidated, hide alot, and loose that great color.
I'm of the ilk that don't think keeping 2 species of the same genus together is a good idea.
It usually doesn't happen that way in nature, they either hybridize into something else, or one drives the other out.
And I am by no means a geographical purist (I'll keep Madagascans with new worlds if they are compatible), and realize many people who are fans of ie, Parachromis or Vieja, and want to have a tank full. Seems in nature many species of different genus can coexist because each eats different food, and/or requires a different type spawning sight, or different spawning season, etc etc.
And though I know our tanks are far from natural...... now here I go ramblin agin......
I'm always amazed at what works, and what doesn't in the confines of a small tank


jonclark96 said:
Personally I would keep nanoluteus in a species only tank (or at least the only cichlid in the tank).
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Hmm, well I may need to rethink whether to get them... its interesting because everything I read said they get to 5 inches, but that sounds like its not likely. I do have a few other tanks they might work in, but Ill just have to figure out whether I want to have them in those particular tanks.

Side note, do you think it would be bad to keep various Gymnogeophagus together? I was planning on keeping a few species together, since it seems like that is a pretty common practice.
 
Gymnogeophagus may be an interesting exception.
While I "might" keep those of the rhabdotus clade with the gymnogenys clade,
I probably wouldn't keep different variants/species of the gymnogenys group together, and I'd include labiatus that group too.
And although balzani seems quite different than quilero (and I have both), I personally would be leery of keeping them in the same tank.


But maybe its just me, as a general rule, I like the look and prefer 2 or 3 species groups of 4-6 to a tank, as opposed to say, 10 different individuals to a tank for "most" cichlids.

 
Good to know. I was planning to order six each of balzani, labiatus, gymnogenys, and sp. Blue neon (related to rhabdotus, I believe). I wanted to grow them out together, getting rid if extra males along the way to pare down the numbers to closer to 3-5 of each. Is this not a good idea? What are your favorite of the Gymno species and why?

They would end up in a 160g eventually with a few Sunfish.
 
Also how do you think the genus rule relates to CA fish, since they can all interbreed? E.g. Even though I only have multiples of small peaceful cichlids (Bolivians, curviceps) in my SA /CA tank, and individuals of other larger species technically my firemouth, sajica, and rainbow could breed, correct?
 
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