I have a 56 gallon aquarium and I have African Ciclids in it. How many can I keep in the aquarium? Are there any other fish that I can put in with them other then other Frican Ciclids? Right now I have 2 African Ciclids that are bright orange and 1 algea eater.
2007-03-04 17:58:45 · 5 answers · asked by Brandi W 3 in Pets ➔ Fish
The best tankmates for African cichlids are similar African cichlids. I don't know what type you have, but they're probably mbuna. The best tankmates for them are other, similar mbuna. You can keep about 12-15 in your tank, and must keep them in numbers to disperse aggression. With too few you'll find the weak take too much abuse from the strong as they grow and mature. Also remember that these are rock dwelling fish and the tank should be decorated with lots and lots of rocks stacked up to create many caves and tunnels.
And an Oscar is just about the worst type of cichlid to recommend for Africans. Stay away from New World cichlids altogether, they are completely different in every way.
Go to www.cichlid-forum.com if you really want to learn about these unique fish and care for them properly, there's a ton of info and knowledgeable people there.
2007-03-05 01:37:51 · answer #1 · answered by Ghapy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ghapy had some great pointers. I have African cichlids. Ghapy used a word Mbuna. It means rock dwelling fish. African Cichlids are pretty aggressive fish. They need to be kept with 12-18 fish in your aquarium. Males and females at a ratio of probably 1m/3-5f.
Keep it at 3 species and you'd really like the activity level. I suggest you don't get species with similar striping as they tend to fight. Yellow Labs, Socolofi, Red Zebra's all would get along. I would stay away from Kenyi and Auratus as they are pretty aggressive.
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2007-03-05 05:01:32 · answer #2 · answered by zak w 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ciclids are best to be alone! I still have one. I bought 2 three years ago. One grew bigger that the other and he killed the smaller one. The algea eater might be alright.
2007-03-04 18:04:05 · answer #3 · answered by Ivan S 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They tend to be very aggressive fish so they need to be kept with their own kind. You could try Oscars though. Depending on how large you want the fish to get you would be safe adding a few more to your tank. If you overcrowd it they won't grow very well and if it is too crowded they will produce too much ammonia and die.
2007-03-04 18:04:24 · answer #4 · answered by Rich 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
well the algae eater could be eaten by the chiclids if you leave them in there too long, for starters. most chiclids can become jealous later in life, esp when they grow bigger.
ps you can fit as man as you want in a tank. the cool part about fish is that they grow to fit their environment so more fish are gonna be smaller and less are gonna be bigger.
2007-03-04 18:02:10 · answer #5 · answered by Chris C 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋