Red1313

Ok I've never been a real big Cichlid fan but I currently have an empty 65 gal tank awaiting my decision of what to stock in it. I like big fish but it's not quite big enough for some of my favs. So lately my curiosity has been struck by cichlids. Now basically what I know about them is that cichlids + water = fry. Africans with africans and S.A's with S.A's.
Now I already have an agressive/semi-agressive community tank (32 gal). But now I've stumbled onto dwarf cichlids and I may be hooked. From the little research I've done the three species I've found are mostly found around the lower part of the tank. Could I have a community in the 65 with these 3 species?
Apistograma Agassizii, Apistogramma macmasteri, Mikrogeophagus ramirezi

I was thinking that for a tank set up I could plant heavily and do a bit of "rock work" to set up an area for each species? The tank is probably 4' long or more so there should be plenty of ground space for each... I think. What do you guys say?

P.S. The reason that I'm thinking these 3 species is because I found them all availble here.
NOTE: I tend to have water around the 7-8ish pH range.

Butterfly

Those are all three gorgeous Dwarf Cichlids. I personally would think in a four foot tank you could do it. when stocking dwarf cichlids a good ratio is 1male/2females to keep the male from harassing one female to death. In my experience dwarfs tend to swim the full depth of the tank as well as the bottom so height in hiding places is important also.
Anything to break line of sight is good.
They will do well with a few dither fish to keep them calm. what do you have in mind?
Carol

Red1313

Since the tank should be pretty peaceful I was toying with the idea of a school of rainbows.
I think at max each of those species gets to 4" so at say 3 fish each that only 36" of fish. A small rainbow school and that should still leave room in case of fry. I think.

CHoffman

That sounds like a pretty cool tank!!. I'm excited to see it up and going.

Tony G.

lol
pics please

bolivianbaby

Looks like a great idea from here! The rainbows will make an excellet dither fish. I've also found neon tetras to work as well.

Butterfly

Sounds great !
Carol

Red1313

Thanks guys. Will hard water be an issue with these guys?

Toddnbecka

Rainbows are fine in hard water, Apisto's may not spawn successfully though. I know that neon tetra eggs will absorb minerals and the membrane becomes too tough for the fry to break through. Apisto's are usually kept in soft water; a R/O unit would be the easiest way to do that.

Butterfly

Your pH is the same as mine and My Rams spawned and raised fry so many of our aquarium fish are tank raised and acclimated to different ph's than their natural habitat would be, so you just don't know until you try.
Carol

Toddnbecka

Indeed, pH isn't usually a real issue, but general hardness or TDS (total dissolved solids) is another matter entirely. Usually high pH and hard water go together, same with low pH and soft water, but not always.

MissMTS

Red that sounds like a great tank! I am so jealous that you have the Apistogramma macmasteri available locally. I have wanted a trio of them for forever! Rainbows would be great with them. I have rainbows in with SA dwarfs in my 70 gallon, and they get along great. Their colors also compliment each other very well. I have very hard water (pH 7.8) but I use driftwood in my tank to soften the water a little bit. Both the rainbows and cichlids will appreciate planted tanks as well. Good luck with the tank, and don't forget to post pics!!!