Cichlid compatibility chart?

Question

I have a 30 gallon tank with 5 cichlids and 1 common pleco. I want to learn the Compatibility chart for cichlids. See I have 3 assorted cichlid, 1 kenyi cichlid, and 1 jack dempsey cichlid. I know 4 for them are from lake Malawi, and the jack is from Central American. My biggest cichlid is 3 1/2 inches and the smallest is the Jack at 1 inch. The pet store guy told me that it's fine and that I should never buy at inpulse, and when ever i want to buy more to ask him first if they can be together. Oh and I've had my tank for almost 2 months with 3 assorted cichlid and the pleco. I just bought the kenyi and jack 2 weeks ago.

Answer 1

All of the fish with the exception of the Jack should be fine together. Eventually you will have a problem due to te size of the tank, but you have a while before that will happen. Personally, I would return the Jack as it needs different water than the Malawi cichlids and will have a hard time dealing with them.

While there is not a chart for cichlid compatibility that is truly reliable, there are certain rules to follow and the first and foremost is to not try African and South American cichlids in the same tank.

If you are interested in keeping Malawi cichlids I would STRONGLY suggest you not rely on the advice of a shop and instead buy a book on keeping these fish. There are several excellent books on just that subject available.

Hope that helps

MM

Answer 2

Cichlid Compatibility Chart

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Cichlid compatibility chart?
I have a 30 gallon tank with 5 cichlids and 1 common pleco. I want to learn the Compatibility chart for cichlids. See I have 3 assorted cichlid, 1 kenyi cichlid, and 1 jack dempsey cichlid. I know 4 for them are from lake Malawi, and the jack is from Central American. My biggest cichlid is 3 1/2...

Answer 4

You should return the jack Dempsey if you can or find it a new home,African and American cichlid should not be mixed because they have different requirements.Kenyi cichlidshttp://www.malawimayhem.com/profile_show.php?id=399 are very aggressive and will need a larger tank as they mature(50 gallons).It would help if you knew what others you have. Here are a few good web sites about cichlids:
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/
http://www.malawimayhem.com/
http://www.allcichlids.com/

Answer 5

you really shouldnt mix cichlids. you should designate which lake you want to have. malawi or american. they may be fine right now, but when they get bigger it will become a problem. malawi mbuna's, such as the kennyi can be amazingly aggresive.
the problem at hand right now is the tank size. they get big and need a LOT of room because they are very territorial. you should try to invest in a 75 or larger. the pleco alone will need 55 since he can easily reach over 2 feet.

Answer 6

I highly recommend getting a 55gallon tank its not that all of the cichlid gonna fight its thet they are gonna get to cramped up including the pleco hes gonna get 2feetand thats half your tank already. The average size of the cichlids is in the 30s inch.