well should i? i have some angel fish and some other small tropical fish but they are so boring and when i see ciclid tanks they look ace, i know some fish will be eaten but will it be worth it?
2006-12-17 19:35:17 · 11 answers · asked by david c 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
If you want more exciting fish then cichlids are definitely one way to go.
However you cannot put them in with your angels and other "community" fish as they will terrorize them until the other fish die.
If you go with african cichlids (which I assume you are talking about) you'll want to have only africans in the tank, with the possible addition of some armored catfish or fast moving fish like zebra danios.
Contrary to the above poster cichlids are not that expensive and are very easy to keep.
2006-12-18 02:14:27 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your angelfish are a South American cichlid. If you want to keep African/Old World cichlids, they need a totally different pH. There are other South American/New World cichlids you can keep, assuming you have room in your tank! Bolivian rams are an easy-going cichlid with pretty, but subtle colours. Blue rams are more colourful, but also more fussy about water conditions. Apistogrammas are dwarf cichlids of Central and South America that range from as subtle or vivid in colour as you could hope for. Apistos are VERY territorial, so unless you have a tank larger than 30 gallons, I wouldn't suggest more than one pair (male/female) or one male. Also, with dwarfs many of your other fish may be too big to be eaten. If you're truly worried the fish you already have may suffer, perhaps you could find a new home for them before you purchase more aggressive fish?
2006-12-18 00:53:46 · answer #2 · answered by Lady G 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most cichlids won't work, but two types of smaller and milder cichlids that would work are Keyhole cichlids and Rams. Just make sure you have a big enough tank for them all to co-exist (30 gallons or more) and that the tank isn't already fully stocked.
If you do decide to try them, it's a good idea to research about them first. www.cichlid-forum.com and www.apistogramma.com (devoted to dwarf cichlids) both have lots of information, and this way you can learn and avoid issues, like the 16 gallon tank above that will become a tank of death as those fish grow.
2006-12-17 23:58:58 · answer #3 · answered by Ghapy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. You have to have a designated aquarium for cichlids. I have a 16 gallon with a Wonder Works filter and river rock. I have two convicts, a Jack Dempsey and a Jewel. They get along fine. I also have two catfish that hang out at the bottom.
2006-12-17 20:27:03 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They will attack the smaller fish in your tank, if you want them its best to get a seperate tank for them, if you want a bit of colour get some mollys, dalmation ones are nice, or why dont you get some gouramis they can be colourful and add a bit of life to your tank plus they are very placid.
2006-12-17 22:28:30 · answer #5 · answered by pinky_pink_3825 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
your ciclids will attack the other fish, if you want to keep ciclids you will have to start over with your tank and only keep ciclids in it. if you want to brighten up your existing tank try neon tetras, guppies, platties or mollies, also, male siamese fighters are fantastic, they are really striking in fab colours and with massive tails, they are very placid and only fight if you keep 2 males in the same tank.
2006-12-17 19:55:33 · answer #6 · answered by jen_82_m 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
cichlids are harder to keep than ordinary hardy tropical fish, they need a special ph in the water etc, and are predator fish so they wil kill your wee tetra's etc,, so unless you want your tank upset i would say noo.. why dont you start up a special tank dedicated to cichlids i done that years ago, had the blue light and stuff, it was lovely.
2006-12-17 20:15:02 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
in case you relatively do have suited water attempt a pair of german blue rams. yet whilst no longer why no longer a pair of angels? you will no longer have the means to maintain lots of something (if any in any respect) else yet they extra effective than make up for it with their splendor and character. yet once you in simple terms want colour you are able to no longer circulate incorrect with guppies or platies.
2016-10-15 04:04:56 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only say simply look to the answer given by Ghapy, couldn't have put it better myself.
2006-12-18 00:29:44 · answer #9 · answered by Daedalus 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Cichlids are cool, but expensive, somewhat tough to care for and are ill tempered.
2006-12-17 19:37:05 · answer #10 · answered by alwaysmoose 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋