What else can live safely in a 55 gallon tank with 6 various African Cichlids?

Answer 1

Ideal dither fish for an african tank are giant danios, and most forms of rainbow fish. They're smaller (around 3 inches), stick to the top level, an can run away if there's danger with ease.

http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_danio3.php

I kept australian rainbows in very well with my africans. I bought them from elmers. Here's a link to them.

http://www.elmersaquarium.com/10rainbowfish_australian.htm

When africans are being angry or shy, putting some giant danios or rainbows in can help them relax.

You have a 50/50 shot of a Firemouth cichlid working. I have one & it works very well in my african tank, but I got some serious warnings about it not working from the salespeople at the shop.

adult clown loaches get along great in most african tanks. I have 2 in my african tank and the african's play with them in a non-hostile way.

horseface loaches
tiger loaches, zebra loaches
big pleco's all work fine as long as the ph isn't too high.

I have rubber lip plecos in with my african community tank. I would think it shouldn't work out, but it does. They've been in there for about 7 months & they have yet to be harrassed by anybody but the loaches.

I tried keeping an adolescent couple of green terrors in my african tank until I could buy a new tank.... They got their asses handed to them & i had to charge card a big tank to keep the green terrors in. (they were equal in size to the africans).

I tried a jewell cichlid in my african tank & it was murdered about 2 days after introduction.

I'm sure convict cichlids would live safely... They may kill the africans though. They're super tough for tiny fish.

Answer 2

Well, there are many choices you have from here. Looking for a real challenge? Try discus fish. They are quite hard to keep and need the most tidiest of water. You can try central American cichlids. Give the infamous convict cichlid a try. They are a joy to watch and keep and breed very easily. What about South Americans? Oscars? It is probably the most unique cichlid to exist (in my opinion.) One thing about the Oscar is that once it is full grown, it will need the entire 55 gallon tank for itself. Like MM said, you can try dwarf cichlids. They're loads of fun and don't grow too large and can co-exist with many other species because of their calm nature. Other than what has been mentioned, you can try Asian or Madagascan cichlids. The only problem you would have is trying to find them as they are less common in pet stores than other cichlids.

Answer 3

Other African Cichlids or a fish larger in size that is semi-aggressive. My cichlids are pretty aggressive when I introduce a new fish. The best way is to have lots of lava rocks or large rock for them to hide in. African cichlids are very territorial and if you move the rocks around before you introduce the newbie they all try to find a new territory. It usually gives them some time to become acquainted enough to co-exist. Your tank size is good. I don't think you'll have a problem.

Answer 4

More African Cichlids. As they grow they'll get more territorial and aggressive and start going after each other. One of the best ways to avoid fatalities is to stock more African cichids, that way the aggression of the dominants will be spread out amongst more fish. That and tons of hiding spots.

Of course, the best way to put together an African tank isn't to go with various Africans at all, but to learn about them and choose compatible species yourself, as Africans are not necessarily compatible. Go to www.cichlid-forum.com if you like to learn.

Answer 5

I agree with Synodontis Multicpicantus or otherwise known as the Cuckoo Catfish. That fish is hard to find but would be the best because he naturally lives with African cichlids. You should add as many caves and hiding places as possible. I put a Sun or Eclipse catfish but he hides behind the filter.

Answer 6

I have to go with what you are basically hearing from the others... nothing else. As rough and tumble as african cichlids are and as large as some can get, 6 would be pretty much the limit for a 55.

Answer 7

Well not knowing what africans you have in there, my only safe suggestion would be Synodontis catfish. Multipunctatus 5, Petricola 5, Eupterus 1, Angelicus 1, Nigrita 1, Granulosus 1. Any ONE of these types in #'s represented would fare well.

Answer 8

i am about to start a 55 gallon also and i am putting electric yellow cichilds and two figure 8 pufffers. they get along fine as long as the tank is a 55 gallon and they have their own spaces to hide.
so maybe you could try a type of puffer... but not a dwaf puffer because even though they are little they are mean as H***!
PEACE!

Answer 9

I have a similar tank. The only fish that my cichlids allowed to stay with them are two plecos and believe it or not , a lone black neon tetra. I am going to try other tetra varieties.

for pictures of my tank :

http://www.bridgewatertaekwondo.com/Aquarium.html

Answer 10

not too many things, these guys are usually pretty rough
you can add plecos or other larger catfish, clown loaches do well
with them as well as some of the other loaches