Which Fish To Add First?

[JazzyB!]

Here's what I'm thinking of hosting in my 27G Hex tank. Let me know what you
think both positive/negative.

1. 1 or 2 Blue-eye cichlids
2. 2 Dwarf Gouramis
3. 3-4 Pepper Corydoras
5. Dwarf pleco (if there is one) or 2 algae eaters.

My concern is with the blue-eyes because they can become 4-5 inches in
length. Currently the tank is empty of fish. Any recommendations on which
fish should be introduced first?

If you have any other suggestions fire away! I'm all ears... er... eyes.
Feel free to email me at (remove the
obvious)

[Peter Ashby]

In article >,
"JazzyB!" <jazzybjazzy DONTWANTANY @hotmail.com> wrote:

> 5. Dwarf pleco (if there is one)

Go for an Ancistrus cat, aka bristlenoses. They only grow to about
2.5inches and are so ugly they are seriously cute. It will need a small
amount of driftwood though, they chew it as it aids their digestion.

I usually cycle a tank with a few neon tetras, you could try it with the
corydoras but I wouldn't with any of the others.

Peter

--
Peter Ashby
School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Scotland
To assume that I speak for the University of Dundee is to be deluded.
Reverse the Spam and remove to email me.

[NetMax]

"JazzyB!" <jazzybjazzy DONTWANTANY @hotmail.com> wrote in message
...
> Here's what I'm thinking of hosting in my 27G Hex tank. Let me know
what you
> think both positive/negative.
>
> 1. 1 or 2 Blue-eye cichlids
> 2. 2 Dwarf Gouramis
> 3. 3-4 Pepper Corydoras
> 5. Dwarf pleco (if there is one) or 2 algae eaters.
>
> My concern is with the blue-eyes because they can become 4-5 inches in
> length. Currently the tank is empty of fish. Any recommendations on
which
> fish should be introduced first?
>
> If you have any other suggestions fire away! I'm all ears... er...
eyes.

In an uncycled tank, if you are adding something to cycle the tank, the
cichlids would probably be the most hardy, but fishless cycling would be
far better.

In a cycled tank, their order of introduction would be from least
aggressive to most aggressive (conditional on size and sexual maturity).
I typically add algae eaters last (when I have algae) unless I will be
supplying their food (algae wafers, zucchini etc). Gourami's are
susceptible to fungus & fin-rot in new tanks, so they are slightly
delicate. Small Corys are also a little sensitive, probably as they have
a few intolerances and are limited to the water quality in only one part
of the tank (the bottom) sitting right on top of whatever bacteria are
developing in the substrate. In a mixed community tank which includes
cichlids, I usually add the cichlids last, in order to let the
less-territorial fish acclimate themselves.

This does not suggest any obvious sequence of introduction *sorry* ;~),
so:

i) In a cycled tank, I'd add the Gourami/Corys first (top-feeders &
bottom-feeders), followed by the cichlids 2 or 3 weeks later, followed by
the plec when there was algae. Note that I have no idea what a Blue-eye
cichlid is and whether it is even appropriate for this mix.

ii) In an uncycled tank, I would do fishless cycling (using liquid
ammonia). It's quite idiot-proof, I've done it myself.

iii) If cycling with fish, I'd use 7 zebra danios and trade them back to
the LFS (if they do that) before adding less hardy fish.

iv) If cycling with fish _and_ established filter media, the sequence I'd
use is Gouramis (fed sparingly for a week), 2 weeks later Corys, 2 weeks
later Cichlids, followed by pleco.

This is just opinion based on limited experience & observations. ymmv
NetMax

[JazzyB!]

Thanks for the response. The tank is basically cycled. Your suggestion of
adding the least aggressive to most was right in-line with what I was going
to do. Blue-eye cichlids (Cichlasoma spilurum ) are quite a peaceful fish
and from what I have gathered should be okay with dwarf gouramis and a
pleco. I've decided against the cories for now because I'm hoping to evade
a turf war for the bottom of the tank.

"NetMax" > wrote in message
...
>
> "JazzyB!" <jazzybjazzy DONTWANTANY @hotmail.com> wrote in message
> ...
> > Here's what I'm thinking of hosting in my 27G Hex tank. Let me know
> what you
> > think both positive/negative.
> >
> > 1. 1 or 2 Blue-eye cichlids
> > 2. 2 Dwarf Gouramis
> > 3. 3-4 Pepper Corydoras
> > 5. Dwarf pleco (if there is one) or 2 algae eaters.
> >
> > My concern is with the blue-eyes because they can become 4-5 inches in
> > length. Currently the tank is empty of fish. Any recommendations on
> which
> > fish should be introduced first?
> >
> > If you have any other suggestions fire away! I'm all ears... er...
> eyes.
>
> In an uncycled tank, if you are adding something to cycle the tank, the
> cichlids would probably be the most hardy, but fishless cycling would be
> far better.
>
> In a cycled tank, their order of introduction would be from least
> aggressive to most aggressive (conditional on size and sexual maturity).
> I typically add algae eaters last (when I have algae) unless I will be
> supplying their food (algae wafers, zucchini etc). Gourami's are
> susceptible to fungus & fin-rot in new tanks, so they are slightly
> delicate. Small Corys are also a little sensitive, probably as they have
> a few intolerances and are limited to the water quality in only one part
> of the tank (the bottom) sitting right on top of whatever bacteria are
> developing in the substrate. In a mixed community tank which includes
> cichlids, I usually add the cichlids last, in order to let the
> less-territorial fish acclimate themselves.
>
> This does not suggest any obvious sequence of introduction *sorry* ;~),
> so:
>
> i) In a cycled tank, I'd add the Gourami/Corys first (top-feeders &
> bottom-feeders), followed by the cichlids 2 or 3 weeks later, followed by
> the plec when there was algae. Note that I have no idea what a Blue-eye
> cichlid is and whether it is even appropriate for this mix.
>
> ii) In an uncycled tank, I would do fishless cycling (using liquid
> ammonia). It's quite idiot-proof, I've done it myself.
>
> iii) If cycling with fish, I'd use 7 zebra danios and trade them back to
> the LFS (if they do that) before adding less hardy fish.
>
> iv) If cycling with fish _and_ established filter media, the sequence I'd
> use is Gouramis (fed sparingly for a week), 2 weeks later Corys, 2 weeks
> later Cichlids, followed by pleco.
>
> This is just opinion based on limited experience & observations. ymmv
> NetMax
>
>

[Dave]

>Blue-eye cichlids (Cichlasoma spilurum ) are quite a peaceful fish
Since when ?? ok while not spawning, but once they start they are very
aggressive, and once they start they will breed continually.

> and from what I have gathered should be okay with dwarf gouramis and a
> pleco. I've decided against the cories for now because I'm hoping to
evade
> a turf war for the bottom of the tank.
Don't go for a plec, it will get too big, as someone else suggested get an
ancistrus, much better at keeping algae at bay, and a maxed out male won't
be more than about 5" long. No problems with adding the cories and
ancistrus, cories stick to the bottom, ancistrus will roam everywhere.
Dave
www.baarks.co.uk

[NetMax]

"Dave" > wrote in message
...
> >Blue-eye cichlids (Cichlasoma spilurum ) are quite a peaceful fish
> Since when ?? ok while not spawning, but once they start they are very
> aggressive, and once they start they will breed continually.
>
> > and from what I have gathered should be okay with dwarf gouramis and
a
> > pleco. I've decided against the cories for now because I'm hoping to
> evade
> > a turf war for the bottom of the tank.
> Don't go for a plec, it will get too big, as someone else suggested get
an
> ancistrus, much better at keeping algae at bay, and a maxed out male
won't
> be more than about 5" long. No problems with adding the cories and
> ancistrus, cories stick to the bottom, ancistrus will roam everywhere.
> Dave
> www.baarks.co.uk

Agreed, the corys are not territorial and will just roam around. There
shouldn't be any conflicts at ground level until the cichlids decide to
spawn, and then they will just claim a zone and shoo the corys out. The
C.spilurum look very interesting. The only fish I've had which might be
similar is the Herotilapia multispinosa. The were easy to take care of,
but became a bit too prolific. Your dwarf gouramis might be in trouble
later, but then this is only your first tank? ;~)

NetMax

[JazzyB!]

I didn't say I was going to breed the blue-eye cichlids! The pleco I was
originally thinking of was not the common pleco that grows into a small
monster but something like a clown pleco or bristlenose.
"Dave" > wrote in message
...
> >Blue-eye cichlids (Cichlasoma spilurum ) are quite a peaceful fish
> Since when ?? ok while not spawning, but once they start they are very
> aggressive, and once they start they will breed continually.
>
> > and from what I have gathered should be okay with dwarf gouramis and a
> > pleco. I've decided against the cories for now because I'm hoping to
> evade
> > a turf war for the bottom of the tank.
> Don't go for a plec, it will get too big, as someone else suggested get an
> ancistrus, much better at keeping algae at bay, and a maxed out male won't
> be more than about 5" long. No problems with adding the cories and
> ancistrus, cories stick to the bottom, ancistrus will roam everywhere.
> Dave
> www.baarks.co.uk
>
>

[JazzyB!]

Not my first tank. I just moved back to Canada so it's my first tank since
I've moved back from Europe. I've never kept cichlids, with the exception
of a pair of rams last year, so I like to ask a lot of questions about them.
Not having first hand experience with other cichlid's aggressive/territorial
behaviour, I was a bit concerned for the cories. Seeing that I'm not
"planning" on breeding the blue-eyes I assume the bottom level of the tank
should be okay. What do you think about having a pair of Ottos (Otocinclus
affinis or Otocinclus paulinus) in this tank instead of the "normal" cories
or in combo with a few cories?

I'll be purchasing another larger tank in the next 2-3 months.
"NetMax" > wrote in message
.. .
>
> "Dave" > wrote in message
> ...
> > >Blue-eye cichlids (Cichlasoma spilurum ) are quite a peaceful fish
> > Since when ?? ok while not spawning, but once they start they are very
> > aggressive, and once they start they will breed continually.
> >
> > > and from what I have gathered should be okay with dwarf gouramis and
> a
> > > pleco. I've decided against the cories for now because I'm hoping to
> > evade
> > > a turf war for the bottom of the tank.
> > Don't go for a plec, it will get too big, as someone else suggested get
> an
> > ancistrus, much better at keeping algae at bay, and a maxed out male
> won't
> > be more than about 5" long. No problems with adding the cories and
> > ancistrus, cories stick to the bottom, ancistrus will roam everywhere.
> > Dave
> > www.baarks.co.uk
>
> Agreed, the corys are not territorial and will just roam around. There
> shouldn't be any conflicts at ground level until the cichlids decide to
> spawn, and then they will just claim a zone and shoo the corys out. The
> C.spilurum look very interesting. The only fish I've had which might be
> similar is the Herotilapia multispinosa. The were easy to take care of,
> but became a bit too prolific. Your dwarf gouramis might be in trouble
> later, but then this is only your first tank? ;~)
>
> NetMax
>
>

[Peter Ashby]

In article >,
"JazzyB!" <jazzybjazzy DONTWANTANY @hotmail.com> wrote:

> Not my first tank. I just moved back to Canada so it's my first tank since
> I've moved back from Europe. I've never kept cichlids, with the exception
> of a pair of rams last year, so I like to ask a lot of questions about them.
> Not having first hand experience with other cichlid's aggressive/territorial
> behaviour, I was a bit concerned for the cories. Seeing that I'm not
> "planning" on breeding the blue-eyes I assume the bottom level of the tank
> should be okay. What do you think about having a pair of Ottos (Otocinclus
> affinis or Otocinclus paulinus) in this tank instead of the "normal" cories
> or in combo with a few cories?

I like cories and if you have enough space for a smallish school they
will entertain you endlessly by bumbling around the tank. If I had the
space I'd have them too. Ottos are in my experience nowhere near as
active.

Peter

--
Peter Ashby
School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Scotland
To assume that I speak for the University of Dundee is to be deluded.
Reverse the Spam and remove to email me.

[NetMax]

"Peter Ashby" > wrote in message
...
> In article >,
> "JazzyB!" <jazzybjazzy DONTWANTANY @hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Not my first tank. I just moved back to Canada so it's my first tank
since
> > I've moved back from Europe. I've never kept cichlids, with the
exception
> > of a pair of rams last year, so I like to ask a lot of questions
about them.
> > Not having first hand experience with other cichlid's
aggressive/territorial
> > behaviour, I was a bit concerned for the cories. Seeing that I'm not
> > "planning" on breeding the blue-eyes I assume the bottom level of the
tank
> > should be okay. What do you think about having a pair of Ottos
(Otocinclus
> > affinis or Otocinclus paulinus) in this tank instead of the "normal"
cories
> > or in combo with a few cories?
>
> I like cories and if you have enough space for a smallish school they
> will entertain you endlessly by bumbling around the tank. If I had the
> space I'd have them too. Ottos are in my experience nowhere near as
> active.
>
> Peter

To add some comments, the Otos would not IMO be as safe as Corys, with
cichlids in place. Corys are armoured, Otos not. Corys are also more
mobile & active.

Your intentions regarding breeding will have little or no effect on their
behaviour. Either you have a pair or you don't. There are consequences
to both situations ;~)

Behaviourally, Rams are not really representative of the average larger
cichlid. Even Kribs are more typical, often becoming a PITA when
spawning. It's not my intention to discourage you. Ounce per ounce,
cichlids will give you far more entertainment value than any other
tropical fish, but this type of 'entertainment' will usually involve
you, and the 'community' will be somewhat dynamic as the cichlids mature.

NetMax

[Dave]

"JazzyB!" <jazzybjazzy DONTWANTANY @hotmail.com> wrote in message
...
> I didn't say I was going to breed the blue-eye cichlids!
That's the snag, if you have a pair (and they are virtually impossible to
sex) then they will breed anywhere, in any water conditions, you can't stop
them, they are worse than guppies - believe me :-)

> originally thinking of was not the common pleco that grows into a small
> monster but something like a clown pleco or bristlenose.
Those are two good choices, if you want it to keep algae at bay, the
bristlenose is the better of the two.
Dave
www.baarks.co.uk