Firemouth Cichlid with African Cichlids?

I have a 29 gallon with two firemouth cichlids and a gourami. As the firemouths have grown, one has become very territorial and bullying the gourami and the other firemouth cichlid. I have another tank that is an african cichlid tank (mbunas and peacocks)

I've considered taking the aggressive firemouth and putting him in the African Cichlid tank. I'm worried that the firemouth wont fair well but wanted to pose the question here. Is this reasonably possible??

If I can't put the firemouth in my african cichlid tank, what are my options in the 29 gallon? I'd really like to keep both firemouths in there. they're really cool fish and I like the idea of having both of them in there once theyre full grown.

 

Ouh, this is a catch 22.

The 29 is definitely too small if they don't get along but with Mbuna this is not going well I'm relatively sure. Don't mix continents with cichlids. I guess the water parameters are identical, though?

How is the 29 decorated? Maybe you can make that work. Can you show us a picture? Both tanks if possible.

 

Ouh, this is a catch 22.

The 29 is definitely too small if they don't get along but with Mbuna this is not going well I'm relatively sure. Don't mix continents with cichlids. I guess the water parameters are identical, though?

How is the 29 decorated? Maybe you can make that work. Can you show us a picture? Both tanks if possible.

I'll attach a pic when I get back from work.

From what I've read, water parameters and diet wont be a problem. I'm more concerned with the temperament of the mbunas and peacocks.

I do have a less aggressive daffodil brichardi in my african cichlid tank that's doing just fine. With that being said, it's still an african cichlid.

 

Ouh, this is a catch 22.

The 29 is definitely too small if they don't get along but with Mbuna this is not going well I'm relatively sure. Don't mix continents with cichlids. I guess the water parameters are identical, though?

How is the 29 decorated? Maybe you can make that work. Can you show us a picture? Both tanks if possible.

Found a picture! It's a few weeks old and the tank has been rearranged but this will give you a good idea:

 

From what I've read, water parameters and diet wont be a problem. I'm more concerned with the temperament of the mbunas and peacocks.

With water parameters I mean literally I expect them to be identical as both tanks are yours and so the same tapwater, right? Now I'm interested in the african tank.

Hmm... that 29 has technically enough hiding spots, but you might want to add plants. Lot of them, and restructure so you have clearly separated territories. I'd definitely try that before putting the firemouth to the Mbuna.

 

With water parameters I mean literally I expect them to be identical as both tanks are yours and so the same tapwater, right? Now I'm interested in the african tank.

Hmm... that 29 has technically enough hiding spots, but you might want to add plants. Lot of them, and restructure so you have clearly separated territories. I'd definitely try that before putting the firemouth to the Mbuna.

Awesome advice! I'm gonna give it a try. I've been wanting to get into aquarium plants anyway.

Any advice on which plants? I recently added some amazon frogbits

Here's a picture of my 55 gallon african cichlid tank and the frogbits I put in the 29 gallon. The frogbit has A LOT of growing to do.

 

With water parameters I mean literally I expect them to be identical as both tanks are yours and so the same tapwater, right? Now I'm interested in the african tank.

Hmm... that 29 has technically enough hiding spots, but you might want to add plants. Lot of them, and restructure so you have clearly separated territories. I'd definitely try that before putting the firemouth to the Mbuna.

Also, the water parameters arent the same because I used crushed coral in my substrate and put two decent sized pieces of limestone to increase the PH

 

If the Firemouths are a pair they should sort their differences out over time and eventually be inseparable. If it's two of the same sex you might have an ongoing issue. Firemouths do better in small groups, though the 29 isn't big enough for that.

 

If the Firemouths are a pair they should sort their differences out over time and eventually be inseparable. If it's two of the same sex you might have an ongoing issue. Firemouths do better in small groups, though the 29 isn't big enough for that.

I THINK the "bully" might be a female because shes slightly rounder then the supposed Male

Would this make sense? Are females generally more aggressive/territorial than males?

 

When I bought a young pair the male bullied the female for while but I guess it could go the other way. Was just a dominance thing. Once a pair bond formed they were fine. If you want a pair it's always best to buy 4-6 of them and allow a pair to form, then return the rest. I took a chance on 2 and it worked out.

 

Everyones fish community is different, but a freshly introduced Firemouth into my established African Cichlid community would be a "Sitting Duck". The Mbuna would pick it apart.
IMO, be a good idea to beef up the hardscape a bit in the 29 gal. and cross your fingers. Hope things level out soon.