What cichlids work well with Bichirs

[Mudfrog]

I need some movement in my tank, along with a little personality. I've kept Dovii and Severums in the past. I'd love to have another Dovii but I don't think the Dovii would mix well, at least not per the specimen that I had. The Severums would work but they'll be a last resort. So any suggestions on a visually nice looking and interactive cichlid? Tankmates would be a 15"+ Ornate, 3x 10-14" Endli's.

It will grow out in a 40B until it's around 6", then it'll move to the 125g.

 

[dan518]

Cincelichthys bocourti generally pretty placid but with a good personality

 

[Gourami Swami]

If the bichir is large enough, you could really put it with anything. Dovii or umbee would probably be the obvious exception, considering a 125 would barely be large enough for a specimen alone. I used to have a 20" ornatipinnis in my 125 community which housed med to large viejas, amphilophus, tatracanthus, paratheraps, etc. at different points, and nobody batted an eye at the bichir. One thing to keep in mind is that bichirs grow very slowly, if your "growing it out" in the 40b, it could be years before it puts on any considerable size.

 

[Mudfrog]

If the bichir is large enough, you could really put it with anything. Dovii or umbee would probably be the obvious exception, considering a 125 would barely be large enough for a specimen alone. I used to have a 20" ornatipinnis in my 125 community which housed med to large viejas, amphilophus, tatracanthus, paratheraps, etc. at different points, and nobody batted an eye at the bichir. One thing to keep in mind is that bichirs grow very slowly, if your "growing it out" in the 40b, it could be years before it puts on any considerable size.

Per the original post " 15"+ Ornate, 3x 10-14" Endli's", no bichir growing out needed. The 40B will be to grow the cichlid(s) out until they are 6" or so, to ensure the bichirs won't snack on them.

125 will be eventually upgraded to a 180 minimum, but it's plenty big for now.

Forgot to mention that I'd like it to be fairly easy to obtain, worst case ordering it from my LFS.

 

[kno4te]

Here's a list from one of the stickies that are often not looked at.

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/f...ction-and-primer-3-0.65770/page-3#post-814162

 

[Mudfrog]

Yea, I've actually read through that sticky on multiple occasions. More looking for real world suggestions.

 

[Jason_S]

If the bichir is large enough, you could really put it with anything. Dovii or umbee would probably be the obvious exception, considering a 125 would barely be large enough for a specimen alone. I used to have a 20" ornatipinnis in my 125 community which housed med to large viejas, amphilophus, tatracanthus, paratheraps, etc. at different points, and nobody batted an eye at the bichir. One thing to keep in mind is that bichirs grow very slowly, if your "growing it out" in the 40b, it could be years before it puts on any considerable size.

I agree and this has been my experience as well. Jaguar might be another exception...in fact might be best to avoid Parachromis completely.

 

[Mudfrog]

What about Festae? I don't have any first hand experience, how are they with bottom dwelling tank mates?

 

[Reiner]

I would aim for cichlids that occupy the middle or top of the water column.

 

[Youngddh]

I like jack Dempsey's and jewels or Oscars