livetowin

hello everyone,

i have a quick question that has been really bugging me. i think i know the answer but i just want some other advice my tank is a 30 gal planted freshwater with an angel fish a barking catfish and 6 skirted tetras. I have really been wanting to switch over to a african cichlid tank but i also love having my tetras and catfish in the tank because they have been through so much and have survived many outbreaks. i have done all my research and it all basicly say only to have cichlids in a tank. but does anyone think its possible to just get 2 small cichlids and have everyone live happily ever after?

suemvb

Angelfish are cichlids. Do you mean African Cichlids?

livetowin

yes african cichlids

dbrown918

Yes you can. Get 2 or 4 german blue rams. They don't get that big and are peaceful unless fish harass them when breeding. I think they would work out perfectly, but make sure your water parameters are good because they can be a bit finicky. Oh also, they are gorgeous. Go check them out.

Nick Goody

GBR's are American Cichids, not African.

Alessa

I am no cichlid expert, I have only kept mbuna and I have them in a 200 gallon species tank. What I know (cichlid experts correct me if i'm wrong) is that most africans are way to big and agressive to be kept in such a small community setting.

Hope the Cichlid experts come soon with input.

Shawnie

africans dont get big persay (most are 3-6 inches ) but too agressive as well as do better in higher pH than most other cichlids care for...africans are best kept in an african species only tank

livetowin

yea thats what i was afraid of. I really want to have a cichlid tank but i dont have the room and my parents wont let me get another tank to put the skirts and catfish in. i just love the colors and just the way african cichlids act and everything

livetowin

well i did switch over i gave my neighbor my skirts and gave my LFS the catfish. Now i have my angel still, 1 electric yellow, 1 acei, 1 peacock, and 1auratus cichlid they are all doing great im trying to get pictures up

Blub

A word of advice: your Angel will probably get his/her fins ripped to shreds if there is any disputes - they are much less aggresive than africans! It is generaly a bad idea to mix african and american cichlids.