So in some cases that is do able but... in all honesty you can't mix most cichlids. This needs to be a lot more specific.Can you mix new world and African cichlids? I have never had a cichlid tank before.
I have been doing research however their is a ton of info. I can't make heads or tails because I get one place that says one thing and another place that says another contradicting. Then I see results but I can't observe the tank so I don't know if its just someone got lucky. Are their any "definitely don't do that" things I should know.
The best absolute is don't mix African Cichlids with South or Central American Cichlids in the same tank. Even with Africans, you can't mix all the different ones together so you really need to be specific when picking your fish. With fish from the Americas, you will need a larger tank if you want multiple types as these fish generally get large. With many Africans, if you don't put a lot of them together, they get very territorial and beat the crap out of each other. So very contrasting fish families. Some people get lucky and it works but more people don't get lucky and don't tell anyone.
Lastly, to properly keep both types of fish, their water requirements are different so if you were to get wild Africans and Wild American Cichlids, one group would most certainly suffer.
There are combos... But the research should start with liking one ans then searching for tank mates.
Like I enjoy rams. Now many people say rams and kribs can live along okay. But at the same time... rams sometimes can't seem to even live with rams so...
But you are starting too broad.
First, how big a tank will you use? Okay look at fish you like. Then pick one absolute. Now look at tank mates from the cichlid family.
So one comment is that most new world cichlids couples that I know of are more planted bottom and less sand bottom.Well then I would definitely do some research on the family and see what is necessary in order to house more fish than just the Tropheus.
Two completely different sets of water parameters that aren't compatibile. Plus, water parameters aside, depending on which New World cichlids you choose, some get quite a bit bigger and are more aggressive/territorial
I refer you back to post #4 of this thread.One of my wife' friends was moving a couple weeks ago and needed somebody to adopt a 4" African, so we took him in - to our tank with an Oscar, a JackD, 2 Convicts, 2 Firemouths (new, very small) and 2 Apistos. Everyone seems to be doing fine and getting along well. The Oscar does try to sneak up on the little ones to eat them every so often, but they are too smart and quick for him! There's a bit of chasing back and forth, but most of that is between the 2 convicts who were born and raised together - nothing terribly aggressive or dangerous as far as I can tell.
No problem mixing this particular batch of cichlids, here. So far. I believe the most important factor is they have enough space. I'm sure somebody has tried something similar in a tank half the size of my 190gal, with different results.
One of my wife' friends was moving a couple weeks ago and needed somebody to adopt a 4" African, so we took him in - to our tank with an Oscar, a JackD, 2 Convicts, 2 Firemouths (new, very small) and 2 Apistos. Everyone seems to be doing fine and getting along well. The Oscar does try to sneak up on the little ones to eat them every so often, but they are too smart and quick for him! There's a bit of chasing back and forth, but most of that is between the 2 convicts who were born and raised together - nothing terribly aggressive or dangerous as far as I can tell.
No problem mixing this particular batch of cichlids, here. So far. I believe the most important factor is they have enough space. I'm sure somebody has tried something similar in a tank half the size of my 190gal, with different results.
Will do.Report back on this in a few months