brackish cichlids

[SeCon]

I've read lot about people keeping cichlids in a ligth brackish tank. Has anyone here had succes with cichlids (i.e. Kribs) with a Figure 8 puffer? I've read some posts of chromides, but was wondering about others.

[Boxermom]

Just because something can be done doesn't mean it should be.

[SeCon]

I'm not even sure what I am supposed to make of your post. Since you're part of the staff here maybe you should take time to explain your response instead of making posts that don't really help anyone like I've seen so many times.

Kribs (Pelvicachromis pulcher) are found in light brackish areas as well as fresh water, and people here have kept chromides in brackish tanks. Why shouldn't species of cichlid that are found in brackish areas be kept in a brackish tank?

[Boxermom]

I meant exactly what I said. Just because something can be done doesn't mean it should.

Neale Monks, probably the definitive source of brackish knowledge IMO, says kribs should be kept in an SG under 1.005. Recommended SG for F8s is 1.005-1.008. Which, IMO, means they should not be kept together for their best well-being.

http://homepage.mac.com/nmonks/aquaria/ ... part3.html

[SeCon]

Since you took time to explain, I now know you were referring to Kribs in your earlier post. Kribs were an example. There are other brackish cichlids than just Kribs. The ones that I know of are larger. Just trying to see if anyone around here has kept any with a Figure 8 (not just kribs), and possibly find out about species I don't know about.

[PuffTheMagicFishy]

I know there are some people who keep Orange Chromides with F8s. I do not know if the cichlids in question enjoy the arrangement, though. When stocking a tank, the comfort of the fish should be first priority. There are many fish that can "tolerate" light brackish, but "tolerate" is not the same as "thrive in."

[manutius]

Having never dabbled in brackish I may not be too qualified to offer a valid opinion but my veiw is this. Just because two fish could be kept in the same conditions doesn't mean they should. You can keep Lions and gazelles in the same cage but there may only be one rather predictable result. I think that puffers have enough charm and personality to be kept in their own tank without the need for other fish. It is impossible to say whether they could get along with other low brackish fish it depends on a myriad of factors, however with the territorial nature of most cichlids rivalling the damage that a pissed off puffer could do I would question this arrangement. I know I have Clooney with other fish but that is my mistake and I have got away with it for now, who's to know whether in the long term he wont get a taste for them all.

[Fella]

Check out chromides.

Orange chromides and Green chromides will both happily live with figure 8's. Kribs can be done, and probably wouldn't commit too much of a problem. The keyy with this is too have reasonable hard, alkaline water.

[jake_vdb]

There are many fish that can "tolerate" light brackish, but "tolerate" is not the same as "thrive in."

Orange Chromides are brackish (please refer to the previously posted link to Neale's Brack FAQ.) Mine were pale and sickly when I purchased them (LFS kept them in fresh water.) After one week at 1.005 sg their color was striking, and they are by far the most active fish I have ever owned (I would describe them as hyperactive.)

[PuffTheMagicFishy]

I do not know if the cichlids in question enjoy the arrangement, though.

Now I know.

[Myaj]

Another think to keep in mind, there is a lot of confusion when people talk about cichlids being "brackish". Certian types of cichlids do actually come from waters with salt in them, but it is a completely different type of water than brackish. Brackish water is ocean water mixed with freshwater. The type of salt and other minerals that are natural to african cichlid's environments are a different makeup of salts and minerals that have leeched out of the surrounding rocks and soils.

Usually people are referring to African cichlids when they say brackish, but not always. Personally, brackish or not, there just aren't many fish I'd keep with a puffer. I did once keep kribs with a freshwater puffer (SAP) successfully, but the kribs were allowed many hiding places and my SAP was a huge chicken. Most Figure 8's are much more aggressive than SAP's, and if it didn't work, it would be a nasty death for the kribs.

[jake_vdb]

Neale Monks, probably the definitive source of brackish knowledge IMO, says kribs should be kept in an SG under 1.005. Recommended SG for F8s is 1.005-1.008. Which, IMO, means they should not be kept together for their best well-being.

http://homepage.mac.com/nmonks/aquaria/ ... part3.html

FYI,
The introduction of the Brack FAQ says:
"A tank with a specific gravity of around 1.005 would be acceptable to robust cichlids like blue acara and the Cetral American Cichlasoma, as well as the more adaptable killifish such as Pachypanchax playfordi. Into such a tank could be combined sailfin mollies, kribensis, and spiny eels."

http://homepage.mac.com/nmonks/aquaria/ ... part1.html

[Myaj]

But you don't see them saying "Into such a tank could be combined sailfin mollies, kribensis, and spiny eels AND PUFFERS."

I just wouldn't do it, not with any puffer than a very mild SAP or dwarf, and even those two species can really harass other fish.

[manutius]

Yeah toleration of BW is not the point when you have puffers that can kill other fish

[jake_vdb]

But you don't see them saying "Into such a tank could be combined sailfin mollies, kribensis, and spiny eels AND PUFFERS."

Yeah, I was careful not to say that. I only wanted to point out that water conditions for f8s/kribs are compatible.

Personally I will not give advice anymore as to whether fish are compatible tankmates or not (unless the species in question are blatantly incompatible.)
IMO their is plenty of info on here (do a search), in the Brack FAQ, and at least a few other reputable places on the internet. I will let people make their own educated guesses as to what tankmates will work. I say guesses because nothing is certain with puffers. My anecdotal experience is that my f8s are very tolerant of tankmates.