Shell Dwelling Cichlids and FW Puffers...
Shell Dwelling Cichlids and FW Puffers...
Do you think that a couple of asseleus (sp) puffers and a couple of shell dwelling cichlids (multis) would get along well as tankmates?
-
Jager
I've found multis to be quite aggressive little fellows - get a decent sized colony together and they'll attack in waves. I think that could really stress out the puff!
Then again, espcially when young, they are bite sized...and they like to live in shells which means they must be yummy, right?
I think it would be a bad idea...not to mention the fact that the multis want different water qualities than a SA puffer.
Eric
Then again, espcially when young, they are bite sized...and they like to live in shells which means they must be yummy, right?
I think it would be a bad idea...not to mention the fact that the multis want different water qualities than a SA puffer.
Eric
-
RTR
- Mentor
- Posts: 6155
- Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 4:39 pm
- Gender: Male
- Location (country): East Coast, USA
I am not big on mixed tanks, have not been in a very long time. I am also spoiled by having a lot of tanks (I think about 40 at the moment) and operate about two dozen at any given time. I can set tanks for a particular fish and learn a lot about that fish without the complications of interactions with other species. Some, perhaps most of my tanks have some background crew of workers (various shrimp, various snails, certain catfish/barbs/etc.), but not all by any means. I have been for quite a while more interested in watching and studying one species at a time than in trying to balance communities, so do realize that I am not anywhere near adept at communities. I do have one mixed tank as such, only because my wife loves it, and gradually it is "evolving" more to my own style.
I have done shellies (they are wonderful fish, fascinating and rewarding, and I strongly recommend them), but never mixed with puffers, or any active predator larger than them. Those are, as Jayhawk already said, quite fiesty little critters, generally suited to colony living with their own kind, but able beyond their size to handle their turf. I too would worry about housing natural mollusk eaters with fish who occupy cast off mollusk shells. To me that sounds too much like setting yourself up for issues. I frankly would suggest not doing it. I'd do one or the other, but their space needs are quite different, and there could be potential feeding conflicts as well. Either is great in a species tank.
I think that my personal prejudices are showing strongly, so this purely JMHO & IME.
I have done shellies (they are wonderful fish, fascinating and rewarding, and I strongly recommend them), but never mixed with puffers, or any active predator larger than them. Those are, as Jayhawk already said, quite fiesty little critters, generally suited to colony living with their own kind, but able beyond their size to handle their turf. I too would worry about housing natural mollusk eaters with fish who occupy cast off mollusk shells. To me that sounds too much like setting yourself up for issues. I frankly would suggest not doing it. I'd do one or the other, but their space needs are quite different, and there could be potential feeding conflicts as well. Either is great in a species tank.
I think that my personal prejudices are showing strongly, so this purely JMHO & IME.
Where's the fish? - Neptune
-
Myaj
- Tech Team
- Posts: 4587
- Joined: Sat Jun 04, 2005 12:27 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: Bubba, turgidus
Paris, lined burrfish - Location: SE Wisconsin
- Contact:
Multies can be little devils. I have brevis, and they are a lot more easy going, but I'd worry the puffers would then terrorize them!
I keep my 2 dwarves and a SAP with a pair of kribs in a 29 gallon tank with rockwork and lots of live plants. The SAP is scared crapless of the kribs (they chase him away from their rocks but don't hurt him or follow, just threaten), the SAP and dwarves ignore each other, and the dwarves will steal food right out of the kribs' mouths while the kribs completely ignore the dwarves.. its a very odd setup, but its worked for over 2 years now!
If you tried the kribs (or something similar) though, definately give them lots of rockwork to make their "territory" and try for a taller tank so the puffer can have the upper regions and they have the lower, I don't think my setup would work in a 20 long where they couldn't get away from each other as easily.
Either way, I wouldn't recommend it unless you have an extra tank set up and ready to move one or the other type of fish immediately upon signs of agression.
I keep my 2 dwarves and a SAP with a pair of kribs in a 29 gallon tank with rockwork and lots of live plants. The SAP is scared crapless of the kribs (they chase him away from their rocks but don't hurt him or follow, just threaten), the SAP and dwarves ignore each other, and the dwarves will steal food right out of the kribs' mouths while the kribs completely ignore the dwarves.. its a very odd setup, but its worked for over 2 years now!
If you tried the kribs (or something similar) though, definately give them lots of rockwork to make their "territory" and try for a taller tank so the puffer can have the upper regions and they have the lower, I don't think my setup would work in a 20 long where they couldn't get away from each other as easily.
Either way, I wouldn't recommend it unless you have an extra tank set up and ready to move one or the other type of fish immediately upon signs of agression.
Sounds like a good plan! Shellies are great fish in their own right, and would make a nice separate tank. Lots of really good shellie folks over at: http://www.cichlid-forum.com
Eric
Eric