Should I add a dwarf cichlid?

I have had my 55gal set up for 20+ years (moved into new house 6yrs ago). No live plants but plenty of plastic. Substrate is small gravel and glass marbles. I'm considering getting a dwarf cichlid strictly to add color. I have themed my aquarium after Monet's water lilies. I hand painted the backdrop and have several decorative glass pieces to match. These are the fish I have so far. In parenthesis are what I will add within the next week or 2.

7 long skirt tetras
3 green tiger barbs (adding 3 more b/c 2 have paired up leaving the 1 isolated)
2 blue gouramis
1 dwarf gourami (had 2 but 1 died- haven't decided if I want to replace it)
2 kuhli loaches
3 cory cats
2 algae eaters (adding 1-2 more b/c 1 is bullying the other)
1 clown pleco

I keep my water warmer b/c it's right by a window we like to keep open on nice days. I keep the pH 6.5-7.5. Recently I struggled to soften my water. It's hard coming out of the tap so I used an API water softener pillow which seems to do the trick.

I'm specifically wanting blue in my "statement" fish. I thought the gouramis would do the trick, but they're just ok. I did a google search and found that several dwarf cichlids are good community fish. I've read up on a lot of different ones, however, I need actual advice from real people who've had them in their tanks.

Are all dwarf cichlids peaceful community fish? I will only add 1 fish or maybe a pair (for company) but not any more. Just getting suggestions on the best species to add. Oh, I should add that I live in the Dallas area so selection shouldn't be a prob, however, I don't want crazy expensive fish either.

German Blue Ram
Electric Blue Acara
Bolivian Ram
(Are there any others?)

or...

10-12 mollies or guppies (again looking for specific colors)

TIA!!

Stephanie

 

Personally I would go for more blue gouramis.

 

Personally I would go for more blue gouramis.

Unfortunately, one of the blue is aggressive. He chases EVERYTHING but the cories and algae eaters into 1/4 of the tank. They are all swirling on top of each other and he constantly patrols. I've had to put him in "time out" in a large breeding net box for 2wks so the rest of the tank can calm down. He's been out for 72hrs and seems to be playing nice. Bottom line, I don't want to add another one, I feel there's not enough "territories".

 

I'm hearing that aggression is diminished in larger groups?

Nevertheless if the gourami is actung up probably not a good idea to add a cichlid- which can be bossy and sassy

 

I'm hearing that aggression is diminished in larger groups?

Nevertheless if the gourami is actung up probably not a good idea to add a cichlid- which can be bossy and sassy

That was def my concern. I've never considered a cichlid b/c of that. But online they made the dwarf cichlids sound peaceful. I really don't want to upset the dynamic of the tank so I may just go with mollies/platies/or guppies.

 

I would do 2 electric blue rams

 

Depending on your water temperature, what is it?

 

imo u should up the numbers of all ur schooling fish. like the cories u can add more the algae eaters and stuff

 

If you can find a blue ram, that may be what you're looking for. Bolivian rams aren't blue, so you probably won't be satisfied with their lack of color. Personally I have Bolivian rams, and they're great fish, but the only colors they show are a touch of red and yellow against grey. The blue acara would be a nice addition if you're comfortable with the fish growing to 5-7 inches. I've never owned one, so I don't know if they prey on smaller fish as food. All of my larger cichlids ate anything that they could fit in their mouth. Guppies are always an easy addition. Plus they stay active at the top and middle of the tank whereas cichlids prefer to hide in caves and groups of plants. You could buy a beautiful blue cichlid and hardly ever see it. Neon tetras, when kept in schools of 10 or more, are a beautiful blue fish to consider, as well.

 

Depending on your water temperature, what is it?

currently its 82. it fluctuates 1-2 degrees higher/lower, but I do keep it warmer.

 

imo u should up the numbers of all ur schooling fish. like the cories u can add more the algae eaters and stuff

I'm hoping to add more mid-range fish with color. I absolutely love my cories and algae eaters, they make me smile every day, but I'm looking for something flashy.

 

That temp is oerfect for german blue rams but i would do the electric blues just because they have the most blue or you could do a larger group with a mix of golds german blues and electric blues
Can i see a picture of the tank?

 

If you can find a blue ram, that may be what you're looking for. Bolivian rams aren't blue, so you probably won't be satisfied with their lack of color. Personally I have Bolivian rams, and they're great fish, but the only colors they show are a touch of red and yellow against grey. The blue acara would be a nice addition if you're comfortable with the fish growing to 5-7 inches. I've never owned one, so I don't know if they prey on smaller fish as food. All of my larger cichlids ate anything that they could fit in their mouth. Guppies are always an easy addition. Plus they stay active at the top and middle of the tank whereas cichlids prefer to hide in caves and groups of plants. You could buy a beautiful blue cichlid and hardly ever see it. Neon tetras, when kept in schools of 10 or more, are a beautiful blue fish to consider, as well.

Right! I completely forgot cichlids like to hide. You're right, I want them to be seen. Good point! I didn't realize the blue acara got that big. yeah, they'd prob do what fish do and eat the smaller.

 

That temp is oerfect for german blue rams but i would do the electric blues just because they have the most blue or you could do a larger group with a mix of golds german blues and electric blues
Can i see a picture of the tank?

That's the API water softener pillow in the top left. I'm removing it at 3 today.

 

That temp is oerfect for german blue rams but i would do the electric blues just because they have the most blue or you could do a larger group with a mix of golds german blues and electric blues
Can i see a picture of the tank?

btw- your profile pic is a gorgeous fish! What is it?

 

new question:

Are the rams territorial?

My dwarf gourami were. they each had an end in the tank and an invisible "fence" exactly in the middle. Neither were dominate, but would chase each other off their "property". They were actually fun to watch since they didn't harass each other, but they both would sneak over and would literally just wait until the other saw it then dart to their side of the tank. They were great entertainment

I digress though. I don't want that behavior in the rams though since they'll be bigger than my DG and I'm afraid they may not tolerate the DG in their territory. Thoughts?

 

My profile is a juvenile electric blue jack dempsey.
Rams are territorial but they stay quite small and if they are provides with plenty of spots like caves and plants in a 55g they will be fine in a pair or group of 4

 

First off, what kind of corydora species do you have? GBR aren't compatible with most cories due to temperature differences, and I still think more blue gouramis is a better idea.

 

My profile is a juvenile electric blue jack dempsey.
Rams are territorial but they stay quite small and if they are provides with plenty of spots like caves and plants in a 55g they will be fine in a pair or group of 4

My blue gouramis inhabit the tubes I have in the back. Would you recommend getting additional hiding places for the rams? And I was thinking of no more than 2 rams. Is that not enough? i don't want them to be stressed or gang up on anyone either.

First off, what kind of corydora species do you have? GBR aren't compatible with most cories due to temperature differences, and I still think more blue gouramis is a better idea.

I have green cories.

 

Why not just up the kuhli loach and cory schools? It would be better for the fish rather adding more.

 

Yes 2 rams would be fine. Maybe put some rocks or driftwood (or a theme-fitting equivalent) in the tank and they will be peaceful and stress free

 

I'm def not opposed to adding more. But I'm looking for a mid-range fish with color. Something flashy that doesn't hide like the Kuhli (although I have been know to wait up at night just to see them )

 

I'm def not opposed to adding more. But I'm looking for a mid-range fish with color. Something flashy that doesn't hide like the Kuhli (although I have been know to wait up at night just to see them )

How about blue steel killifish? Slight blue shimmer to their body with red dots and yellow on the fins. Amazing personalities too

 

How about blue steel killifish? Slight blue shimmer to their body with red dots and yellow on the fins. Amazing personalities too

YES!! I looked into those several years ago and completely forgot about them. Thanks!

 

How about blue steel killifish? Slight blue shimmer to their body with red dots and yellow on the fins. Amazing personalities too

So I looked into the killifish and they seem harder to keep. I'm technically experienced, but I like more tolerant fish. Unless, someone talks me into them, I think they're out.