fishrone

Hi

This is my first post on the forum. I am a little confused at the moment with what fish to stock my tank with?
I was thinking of 2 Demasoni chilids, 2 yellow zebra chilids, 1 pleco and red tail shark.
But i have found that some say the fish will be compatible and others not:-/
I tend to agree with them not being compatible because of the different water parameters needed.
I have alot of hiding places in the tank for refuge.
They will be kept in a 60gal planted, with filtration Capable of handling a salt water aquarium of this size so i dont see that being a problem.

aquarist48

Hello and Welcome to Fish Lore. From what I know about cichlids, they need to be grouped according to the region or lake from which they came. They shouldn't be mixed. I think the Pleco and Red Tail Shark would be fine with them. I'm sure some cichlid members will help you more shortly. Shawnie (one of our moderators) has some beautiful cichlid tanks and I'm sure she'll respond when she sees this thread.
Best of luck. Send some pictures once you're all set.

carlos413

Welcome to fish lore! I would stay away from the pleco. The common pleco when full grown will need at least a 75. Not sure on maximum size but I know they get big. As for the cichlids keep them from the same area. Hope this helps

Shawnie

welcome to fishlore!!

someone who can take on salties, certainly can do the FW no problem LOL
(at least IMO)
but, you are correct that there is going to be issues with the fish you want...the demansoni will tear up your RTS and he wont stand a chance...as you also noted, africans (demasoni, zebra's) are a species only tank...

if you want to go the african cichlid route, heres a great link to help you with compatability and an even better cookie cutter as to what fish will go with what.... http://cichlidforum.com/articles/afr...us_gallery.php

good luck on your new adventure!

Angela_96

For stocking african cichlids and what you listed is mbuna they are mbuna only tanks. The pleco and red tailed shark are not compatable.
Yellow zebra cichlid? what species is that? There is yellow labs and red zebras, etc but not yellow zebra in malawi.

For demonsoni they need to be stocked with at least 6 demonsoni to a group. Yellow labs are too mildly aggressive for demonsoni, I would go with something to "match" their aggressiveness. Such as red zebras.
And you need to "heavily" stock mbuna to lower aggression levels. At least 12-15 fish in a 60g tank.

ALso mbuna do not do well with planted tanks as they are veggie only eaters. Plus they dig stuff up all the time. So not only will they eat your plants, they will dig them up.

I see in the tank listed in your aquarium info that it has a pH of 7.0? Mbuna need a ph of 7.8-8.2 and hard water to thrive.

Fish_wise_man

Well aren't the demasoni cichlids and yellow zebra cichlids a bit aggressive?

Are you prepared to get those fishes? I know that once you get those cichlids, you can't really put newer fishes in anymore. I go with gentle cichlids. Like the ones that aren't as aggressive like the African Cichlids. I have angels, blue rams, german rams, bolivian rams, and discus are cichlids that I can trust that won't kill other fishes (unless they are aggressive enough) xD

But my fishes are very gentle. So I have some RAMS in all of my tanks even the 10 gallon tanks, but I have only about 8 of them. So I put the MOST in my 125 gallon, and my 500 gallon. I will be moving the old inhabitant fishes out of there and making some new room for my Giant Gourami which will be coming in soon. I have finally received a call from the people and they are saying that they will deliver the fish in soon. Within one week. So I am SO excited!

I had to give my fishes away to my friends, and some I gave them to people when I had a garage sale. I offered fishes too :P

Shawnie

those are africans

Fish_wise_man

the RAMS, Angels and Discus? I see them in South America though.

Shawnie

NO rams, angels, and discus are not africans...read your post

"demasoni cichlids and yellow zebra" are africans

Fish_wise_man

Ah yes I see. I don't raise african cichlids as much though, I just stick to the SA cichlids instead. They aren't as aggressive, and I think they are much more interesting to look at.

Shawnie

so WHY make a recommendation on them? please refrain from advice or someone could be in trouble with the wrong combo of fish ..thank you!

Fish_wise_man

No problem. Sorry if I confused you or messed up what I was saying

Shawnie

you didnt confuse me but I think your confused and when you give advice to other members, take the time to do your homework first before there is an incident that cant be fixed or their is a fish death because of it...