Cichlid Frustration

[whitters]

So I got myself a 20 gallon... 1' wide, 2' long and abou 16'' high. Anyways, I really want to get the Apisto cichlids... but my only problem is... what do you do with the baby fry that survive from spawnings? I mean they're gunna keep spawning.. they're like lil sex machines, or so I hear. So I'm wondering what others do about this...

TIA!
Whitney

 

[Fishyfanatic]

Welcome to AA Whitney! In responce to your question, alot of people set up grow out tanks for new born fry if they want to keep them. If they don't really want the fry, just leave them in the tank and let nature take its course. We have a 29 and 10 gal tank setup for African fry with more on the way.

 

[whitters]

So what do you do with the fry you raise? Do you put it back into tanks you have or sell them.. or what? Thanks for the welcome and reply.

 

[Fishyfanatic]

We are raising them to a size that they can be sold to the lfs. We have an agreement with a lfs that specializes in Lake Malawi Cichlids. They will trade us the fry for other, more rare, Africans. OR, we can have cash but I'd rather trade.

 

[whitters]

That's awesome... I wonder if alot of lfs do that.. would be a nice thing


I'm wondering if these would be alright for my 20 gallon..
one pair of Apisto Cichlids
6 tetras
3 pygmy cories/panda cories or ottos...

not sure if that's okay or not... would like input.

 

[Fishyfanatic]

If you choose the cories, they like to be in groupings of at least 5. I think you could get away with stocking the tank like that. What kind of Tetras are you interested in?

 

[whitters]

I'm wanting either neons or rummynose tetras.

Hmm.. then would 3 ottos work instead of 5 cories?

 

[Fishyfanatic]

My vote is for the Rummies. Beautiful fish but sensitive to poor water quality. Neons can be difficult to keep alive.

 

[whitters]

Any suggestions for a nother type? Doesn't have to be tetras... but figured something about there size. I like Platies... but they are bigger than tetras and not sure if they're good with cichlids

 

[rich311k]

Harlequin rasboras are very pretty little fish.

 

[whitters]

Will they do well with the Apisto's?

 

[Elmware]

Can Tetras be put with African Cichlids? I never thought they could because the cichlid would most likely rip them apart, or so I thought. Heck, the lady at the LFS told me that you can only pretty much put cichlids with cichlids and would require at least a 30 gal tank just for a pair of them.

What do you all think? Was she right on the money or just BSing me?

 

[whitters]

the Apistos are peaceful Cichlids, so she's wrong... there is the random case that there is an extremely aggressive cichlid.. but rare from what I've heard.

 

[RoK]

African cichlids are very aggressive and I highly doubt could be put with tetras. Some SA cichlids are peaceful such as Keyhole and Ram cichlids. These usually can be kept with community fish but can get a little territorial when spawning, from what I've heard.

 

[Elmware]

I don't know exactly what kind of Cichlid I have. It was given to my from a neighbour at our office who just didn't want to take it along with them when they moved. I figured it was an African Cichlid by the shape. The closest thing I can find to match it's colour and patterns, etc are Melanochromis auratus, but not the ones with so much yellow. He pretty much looks like one of them.

He's a neat little guy. If I approach the tank to look in, he will come right to the glass like as if he wants to rip my head off. lol.