Can you mix? - Aquarium Advice

turkey · 11-01-2006, 04:33 PM

I know this has probably been ask before but i'm new here I have 7 african cichlids an electric blue a yellow and some spotted yellow ones. I also have a red tail shark and a yoyo loach

so can i put an american cichlid in there I want a jack or green terror as the main center peice fish they all play nice now but would it be wise to add one

JustOneMore20 · 11-01-2006, 07:12 PM

I'm gonna say no because you aren't supposed to mix Africans with other cichlids. I'll let others chime in though.

What size tank is it?

**Zagz** · 11-01-2006, 09:47 PM

I wouldn't recommend it at all. The fish from different areas have different water requirements. What size tank are they in?

triazole · 11-01-2006, 11:34 PM

more than water requirements, its more of the aggression issue that should be taken into consideration. the two types of fish basically are ignorant of each other's language of aggression. that results in unnecessary stress and/or death.

Jchillin · 11-02-2006, 01:06 AM

I agree. The combo is deadly, GT's are named that for good reason. JD's are just plain beasties as well. There are regional species that should not be co-habitating a tank either, let alone different regions.

turkey · 11-02-2006, 12:52 PM

IT's a 55g tank well any other suggestions on a nice bigger fish to drop in

JustOneMore20 · 11-02-2006, 01:16 PM

You should probably get your African cichlids IDed first before adding anything else. A 55g is on the small side for some Africans. Also, some are more aggressive than others and therefore need a bigger tank, so its hard to suggest fish to add, without knowing the specific fish that are already in the tank.

Can you take pictures and post them for IDs?

turkey · 11-02-2006, 02:32 PM

Yea I can take pics but I know I have a electric blue that is maybe 5" and a electric yellow that is 3" and then the other five are young from 1 1/2" to 2" and they are just the yellow spotted ones I Think orange blossom looking they are very young and don't have their color yet

Then there is a red tail shark that spends most his time hiding he is 1"

and a yoyo loach that just sits around the bottom and just eats and eats

JustOneMore20 · 11-02-2006, 03:01 PM

The Electric Blue will get about 7 inches...I'm not sure how aggressive they are. Yellow labs are probably the least aggressive type you have. I'd get a few more of them. They are Mbuna and usually do best in groups. The orange spotted ones I'm not sure about. Since you know what the other two are, you could just post a picture of those and maybe someone can ID. You could get a few more Electric Blues as well, though I'm not sure that a 55g is the best forever home for them. You may want to look at upgrading them eventually.

I think once you increase the groups of the Blues and Yellow labs then you'll be at the stocking limit...especially since the Electric blues get so large. You could possibly add one more group of Africans to the tank, maybe some Cynotilapia afra cobue or Red Zebras.

I would definitely get more Yoyo loaches too. They like groups, so I'd get atleast 3 more. Keep an eye on them...they aren't aggressive, so the cichlids could be aggressive towards them. The red tail shark should be able to hold his own.

turkey · 11-02-2006, 03:45 PM

thanks for all the info they usually leave the yoyo alone the yellow chases the shark around but he always comes back for more I would post a pic of the little guys but they haven't got any of their color yet so it would be hard to ID

what about a Frontosa they look to be very nice and then some more yoyo's

I just want one big fish to set of the whole bunch

oh and to clarify they aren't orange they are just spotted yellow I can't find them ether

11-01-2006, 04:33 PM	#1
turkey Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19	Can you mix? I know this has probably been ask before but i'm new here I have 7 african cichlids an electric blue a yellow and some spotted yellow ones. I also have a red tail shark and a yoyo loach so can i put an american cichlid in there I want a jack or green terror as the main center peice fish they all play nice now but would it be wise to add one

11-02-2006, 01:06 AM	#5
Jchillin Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New York, NY (The Big Apple) Posts: 12,976 Images: 47	I agree. The combo is deadly, GT's are named that for good reason. JD's are just plain beasties as well. There are regional species that should not be co-habitating a tank either, let alone different regions. __________________ _________________________________

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11-01-2006, 11:34 PM	#4
triazole Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 418	more than water requirements, its more of the aggression issue that should be taken into consideration. the two types of fish basically are ignorant of each other's language of aggression. that results in unnecessary stress and/or death.

11-02-2006, 12:52 PM	#6
turkey Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19	IT's a 55g tank well any other suggestions on a nice bigger fish to drop in

11-02-2006, 02:32 PM	#8
turkey Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19	Yea I can take pics but I know I have a electric blue that is maybe 5" and a electric yellow that is 3" and then the other five are young from 1 1/2" to 2" and they are just the yellow spotted ones I Think orange blossom looking they are very young and don't have their color yet Then there is a red tail shark that spends most his time hiding he is 1" and a yoyo loach that just sits around the bottom and just eats and eats

11-02-2006, 03:45 PM	#10
turkey Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19	thanks for all the info they usually leave the yoyo alone the yellow chases the shark around but he always comes back for more I would post a pic of the little guys but they haven't got any of their color yet so it would be hard to ID what about a Frontosa they look to be very nice and then some more yoyo's I just want one big fish to set of the whole bunch oh and to clarify they aren't orange they are just spotted yellow I can't find them ether