Rainbows With One Cichlid

[sharkybubba]

hey guys,

just wanted to know how a bunch of rainbows would do with a red jewel cichlid in a 4 foot tank? water parameters, behaviour and so on...

Thanks guys

[GoGuppy]

hey guys,
just wanted to know how a bunch of rainbows would do with a red jewel cichlid in a 4 foot tank? water parameters, behaviour and so on...
Thanks guys[/b]

G'day SB
I haven't kept red jewel cichlids, but I understand they can be pretty aggressive when mature and should not be kept with rainbows. :ohmy:
A pity as they are a good looking fish and being from West Africa (rather than from the rift valley lakes) their water conditions should be OK for rainbows. :(
Cheers

[sharkybubba]

G'day SB
I haven't kept red jewel cichlids, but I understand they can be pretty aggressive when mature and should not be kept with rainbows. :ohmy:
A pity as they are a good looking fish and being from West Africa (rather than from the rift valley lakes) their water conditions should be OK for rainbows. :(
Cheers[/b]


hey gg,

have heard the same things, i guess my only comfort is it wasnt aggressive with the fish i had in there before with it...do you think i could go on its previous behaviour and assume it will be the same with new fish?

[GoGuppy]

hey gg,

have heard the same things, i guess my only comfort is it wasnt aggressive with the fish i had in there before with it...do you think i could go on its previous behaviour and assume it will be the same with new fish?[/b]
Hi SB
You can't really tell up front with any certainty, but if I was going to try it, this what I would do (or ensure):
1.add the red jewel to the established community of rainbows, rather than adding the rainbows to the red jewel tank, as in a new tank, the cichlid doesn't own any territory as yet.
2. the red jewel should be smaller than the rainbows (I think, but welcome comment from others on this point)
3. the red jewel should still be young, as I understand the aggression kicks in as it matures.

4. do it when you can monitor the situation, eg on a saturday morning, not when the lights are switched off or if you're out at work all day.

5. be prepared to remove the cichlid again if he's too aggressive... :( .
Give it a go and let us know how things went.
Cheers