What would you do with this tank?

[RyanM]

You might loom into west african dwarfs for that size tank too. Many have similar pairing behavior, but many don't get as big and boisterous. Plus live plants aren't a problem with them. They also tolerate harder water often just fine. I keep wallaceochromis rubrolabiatus in a tank that size problem free.

Those are really cool, my problem would be finding them for sale!

 

[RyanM]

Yes, but depends on the aggression of the pair. I would start out w/ at least 6. Add some tetras or livebarers.

Do you have a favorite type of Thoricthys?

 

[darth pike]

Apistogramma cacatuoides come from pretty basic water in nature and are very hardy. How hard is your hard water exactly?

 

[duanes]

Do you already have a hospital/quarantine tank?
I always like to leave 1 tank bare (I always had around 20 going), but hooked up to a sump, so it acts as extra water volume, and seeds itself, then If something gets sick, something gets beat up and needs confining, or I want to add new fish, those new fish go into that extra tank, and I isolate that extra tank (by valving it off from the sump), so as not to expose others to the new species. But it also gives the new ones a taste of the conditions that they will be exposed to.

 

[lunsforj]

Kribs go great with tetras. Congo tetras are great for many of the West African stuff, but you could also do alestes or african red eyed tetras. If you want something smaller look at adonis tetras. Lots of cool synodontis catfish, rope fish, killifish, butterflyfish, etc. To round out the community to choose from.

Also, if you like kribs, you might look at all the taeniatus varieties or suboccellatus. They are very similar and amazing colors when spawning. Many smaller jewel species will work well in that sized tank as well.

 

[Toiletcar]

Do you have a favorite type of Thoricthys?

Nope, I love them all.

 

[RyanM]

Kribs go great with tetras. Congo tetras are great for many of the West African stuff, but you could also do alestes or african red eyed tetras. If you want something smaller look at adonis tetras. Lots of cool synodontis catfish, rope fish, killifish, butterflyfish, etc. To round out the community to choose from.

Also, if you like kribs, you might look at all the taeniatus varieties or suboccellatus. They are very similar and amazing colors when spawning. Many smaller jewel species will work well in that sized tank as wwest afri

West africans prefer softer water, correct? Do you know any good sources?

 

[lunsforj]

They do in general but many do not. Even soft water species seem to do well in slightly harder water a lot of times as long as water quality is kept up. As far as sourcing them, if your in the states, I love the wet spot in Portland Oregon. They are close to me but they ship all over the US.

 

[RyanM]

They do in general but many do not. Even soft water species seem to do well in slightly harder water a lot of times as long as water quality is kept up. As far as sourcing them, if your in the states, I love the wet spot in Portland Oregon. They are close to me but they ship all over the US.

I am eagerly waiting for test kits to arrive so that I can test the water at our new house. My old test kits are all buried in storage!

 

[Stanzzzz7]

I think a harem of the less fussy Apistogramma is the best suggestion or maybe the kribs.
Personally I think the tank is a little on the small side for any of the c/a cichlids.
With the Apistogramma you can observe some really interesting behaviour and they have lovely colours.
You will also be able to make a nice,more detailed scape with the smaller dwarf cichlids.