40 Gallon Tank Adding T-bar/sajica to a community

My tank: 40 gallon peaceful community, amo 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 10, ph 7.2, GH 6, KH 5 temp is ambient at 75F/24C but I have a heater to add if needed. The tank has been cycled and running for 3 years. Current stock has been in together since this March.

2 (m) honey gourami
1 (f) thick lip gourami
2 SAE
7 khuli loaches
1 (m) peacock gudgeon
1 mystery snail
4 nerite snails


I have a peaceful tropical community and would like to add a couple of cichlids. I’ve done some research and think that t-bar/sajica would fit in comfortably. I spoke to the cichlid pro at my lfs and he said it should work out. I can move the gudgeon to a spare 10 gallon if there are any issues there; but he is as peaceful as the honey gourami and has never shown any territorial behavior or any real notice of the other fish. He’s been with them since he was a little juvie.

Question 1 Those with sajica experience, do you agree this will work?

Question 2 Could I add another small cichlid or maybe 2? I’m thinking a rainbow cichlid and/or nanolutes might work? If that’s not over stocking?

Question 3 Any advice on introduction

I don’t want to do a pair of anything because I’m afraid that anything breading would shred my gourami. I had peacock gudgeons with honey gourami in a different setup and the male gudgeon nipped the tails of the gourami because they’re like little bumbling idiots that don’t notice anyone else’s territory. I’m really hoping not to have to rehome them to get cichlids. They are my favorite fish. I’m not interested in schooling fish/dither fish if that can be avoided either. Just the sajica and maybe 1 or 2 other similar sized fish.

 

I kept a single female t-bar for a few years with other similar sized cichlids - beautiful fish once mature and looked after properly. Females grow smaller than the males.

She could get aggressive when she fancied it though - she laid eggs on the glass once and she protected them from a fully grown festivum and angel that were more than twice her size. Individual temperaments can of course vary so there could be no guarantees that the peace in your tank would be maintained. If adding any cichlids, make sure that the bottom of the tank is well structured - plenty of hiding spots and broken lines of sight.

Personally I’d look at something like a pair of keyholes or other dwarf cichlids (bolivian rams perhaps) that would be a safer bet in terms of possible aggression against other bottom dwelling tankmates.

 

Thanks for sharing. What other cichlids did you keep with her and in what sort of tank? Was she territorial all the time or just when she had eggs?

I’ve considered keyholes, but to my understanding they don’t do well alone and I don’t want any breeding. I’m not sure I could manage to get a same sex group. I’ve only seen juveniles available. I’ve had Bolivians, and did enjoy them but grew tired of the same thing; so they were rehomed in March. I considered smaller cichlids like kribensis or apistos, but I think I’d prefer something a bit larger and I’m not sure those would be any less aggressive.
Do you know whether a male or female is considered less aggressive; or is it solely based on the individual?

 

Thanks for sharing. What other cichlids did you keep with her and in what sort of tank? Was she territorial all the time or just when she had eggs?

I’ve considered keyholes, but to my understanding they don’t do well alone and I don’t want any breeding. I’m not sure I could manage to get a same sex group. I’ve only seen juveniles available. I’ve had Bolivians, and did enjoy them but grew tired of the same thing; so they were rehomed in March. I considered smaller cichlids like kribensis or apistos, but I think I’d prefer something a bit larger and I’m not sure those would be any less aggressive.
Do you know whether a male or female is considered less aggressive; or is it solely based on the individual?

She was in a 53g with a festivum, angel, female ebjd and bolivian ram. She was only aggressive when she did that, for the most part she was fine. However the other fish had similar temperaments and could handle themselves so can’t comment on what she may have been like in a general community setup.

You’re right on keyholes though - they don’t do well on their own but as I understand it, they still aren’t that aggressive if/when they breed.

Not sure on the aggression point when it comes to sex - I only went for a female as they stay smaller.

Adding a medium sized cichlid to an established existing community may work, it may not. But I think if you want to be absolutely sure that the peace is maintained it may be better to look at something else. If you decide to risk it and it doesn’t work out, be prepared to have a backup plan.

 

Agreed. I know you can never be completely sure of how any fish will act, especially a cichlid. That’s why I’m researching before deciding. I also know that I can, and even it is reluctantly; will rehome fish if it is what is in their best interest.

Somehow my fish don’t seem to fit the averages a lot of the time. Lol! I had a peacock gudgeon that wasn’t peaceful. My khuli loaches don’t hide that much. And I keep reading that gbr can be delicate to nitrates, but years ago when I was just learning to balance a tank I had one in an overstocked, uncycled tank that sometimes got up to the 40-80 range on my API kit. Yikes! Poor fish! I’m so glad I found FishLore and a good lfs to help me get straightened out and learn how to properly maintain an aquarium and to research instead of impulse buy. And sometimes, what is peaceful and works for awhile, or works for someone else, may change to not working out. Like the first time I tried keeping a male betta in a community tank. He was fine for 8 months and then got tired of his roommates and ripped their pectoral fins off one afternoon. They certainly are all individuals! That’s what I enjoy most about keeping fish. You never know what personality you’re going to get for sure and it’s fun to watch and interact with that!

Thanks again for sharing your experience.