what can live with my african cichlid?

Question

I have an african cichlid who lives quite peacefully with a pleco, however, I am afraid 'she' will kill other fish, she has already killed another cichlid about her size. what kind of fish can she live with?

I have a really really small tank right now, 10 gallons. I do not plan on adding more fish until I have my 55 gallon beauty later this month. My fish is a male from Lake Malawi, so he's pretty crazy.

Answer 1

Only other african cichlids of the same size. When you get more of them, you need to completely rearrange all the decorations in your tank to break up any territories, and keep the tank dark when you add the fish and for about 24 hours after. Depending on the specific type, many african cichlids are best kept either only with one other of their own type, or with a large group (5+) to spread out aggression.
Check out specific behaviour charecteristics at wetwebmedia.com

Answer 2

You don't say what size your tank is....

....or how big the cichlid is.

If it is small, up to 20 gallons, you will not be able to add another cichlid because there will be nowhere for the new fish to get away from your first fish.

The only way to add another cichlid is to remove the first one to another tank for a few days, move all the rocks and hiding places around so the old tank looks completely different and then place both fish in the tank in the evening at the same time. Turn off the lights and leave them for the night. In the morning, they will have spent the night in a hiding place that they will now call there own.

Chances are now about even that they will co-exist in the tank unless it is just too small.

I have 21 5-7 inch cichlids in a 55 gallon tank that have lived together for about 3 years. Any agression is spread out over the group so any one fish is not picked on all the time. They are mostly Malawi but I have some south Americans in there too.

With cichlids, conspecific males (lookalikes) will fight to sort out who is the dominant fish. Different species usually get along unless they are simlilar in appearance, then the males see the other fish as a threat to take his females away from him and the fight is on.

One solution to your problem would be to take your cichlid back to the fish store and trade it in. Then purchase the number of fish that you want to have in the tank all at once.

Cichlids are very unforgiving fish and no one is harder on a fish than another fish. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Answer 3

You first off need to figure out how many fish you want in your tank and make sure your filtration is adequate. I would suggest nothing smaller than a 55 gal tank for multiple cichlids. I would also suggest that you DON'T use an under-gravel filter. Cichlids poop a lot and it is really hard to maintain a under-gravel filter with them. Secondly you need plenty of decorations to give the fish "hiding places" since africans are really aggressive. ONLY put africans with africans. I would also reccomend sticking with the lakes, meaning if you have malawi, only put more malawi in with them. Tanginika and victoria fish are less aggressive than malawi.
Make sure that the fish are about the same size. Bigger fish will eat real little fish and harrass smaller ones.
In my experience, plecos are fine. Just put one, because if it is a common pleco, it will get huge. Mine got to 13 inches before it died.
You also need to add some salt to the water. Read the directions on the package of aquarium salt. Don't use table salt. If you over salt your water, it will kill your pleco. There is also a specially formulated food to bring out the amazing colors of the africans as well. I will enclose some links for you.

Answer 4

It depends more on the tank and fish sizes than other factors. I have successfully kept African cichlids with New World cichlids, Pacus, Leporinus, Anostomus, many barbs, Tri color and RedTail sharks, different Botia, Distichodus sexfatiatus (one of the world's most beautiful and meanest fish,IMO) and Zamoras. But that was in tanks from 55 gal (with lots of hiding places in stacked rocks) to 800 gal. In a 10-20 gal tank one 4-5" African is about all you can keep. It will eventually decide that its world isn't big enough for its partner and that is that. Even the Pleco is in danger and will eventually be killed.

Answer 5

Try getting another fish of similar size and variety. Otherwsie wait until you get a larger tank. I've successfully bred african cichlids in a 10 gallon tank. Good luck.

Answer 6

I have never had any luck putting any other fish with my cichlid, because he/she attacked and wounded
them and then they would die soon after. I ended up letting Azure have the big ole tank all to it's self
and I have a very happy fish.

Answer 7

african chiclids do best with other africans, you have mixed south american fish with them a pleco surley dont mix well with africans in ideal conditions africans naturally have salt salt will kill a pleco its not brackish and its not saltwater, africans are unique because they come from 3 main lakes tangnika, victoria, malawi, water cond. unlike any other water body found in the world, they will survive without the salt but are very happy with it you can get african salt at your local pet store they are very aggressive towards other species but do rather well with other africans

Answer 8

Which part of Africa? Cuckoo synos go well with Rift Lake cichlids. Generally, largish synos do well(eupterus, petricola)
as they also are African. another cichlid of opp. sex and same species would be good. Add another fish only if the tank is large enough.

Answer 9

not many. Plecos are a different type of fish that most fish dont see as a threat.
Cichlids are VERY territorial and solitary. Finding 2 that can co-exist is rare especially if they are large..
Try a large catfish...they usually dont cause problems.

Answer 10

You should be fine with a Red Bellied Pacu, a Convict, or a Red Devil. Cichlids are potentially agressive but for the most part the aren't. I would suggest you go to your local pet store and they will point you in the right direction.