Freshwater fish compatability question.

[Jordan Siehr]

Are these compatable?

3 Discus
2 rams
redtail shark
10 cardinal tetras
elecrtic blue jack dempsy
2 electric yello african cichlids

 

[jonbar1]

The first 4 are in a big enough tank. The last two are compatable together, again in a large enough tank. Electric blues aren't nearly as aggressive as normal dempseys thankfully, but they'd still see the cardinals as food as would the african cichlids.

 

[Jordan Siehr]

Okay, Uhm I want colorful cichlid or cichlid like fish. I want them to go with 10 cardinals. I have a 55g they will go in. And Where I live, I have very hard water. What fish would you suggest??

 

[Jordan Siehr]

I am not too attached to the cardinals though. I just want a colorful tank.

 

[jonbar1]

If you just want a colorful tank, I'd go all african cichlids. They come in almost any color you'd want and prefer hard water. Redtail shark and some roselines would be fine with them if you wanted a couple of those as well.

 

[Jordan Siehr]

Thank you, you are being very helpful! Would a ram be compatable? I like those roselines. And how many african cichlids could go in my 55g? How big will they get?

 

[ChoxRox]

Thank you, you are being very helpful! Would a ram be compatable? I like those roselines. And how many african cichlids could go in my 55g? How big will they get?

If you want a mix, generally about 20 fish (presuming Mbuna's), closer to 10 if you're thinking Peacock/Haps.
If you want a few groups, I would 3 or 4 breeds, with a male to female ratio of 1:4. Also (and I'm not sure if I am allowed to advertise other forums on here), I would check out cichlid-forum.com for a lot more info.
Including, "cookie cutter" setups, to help people like you: http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/cookie_cutter_55g.php (Scroll down to the "mbuna" tanks for the more colorful fish)

 

[returnofsid]

African Cichlids and SA (South American) Cichlids should typically be in separate systems since they require completely different water chemistry. For this reason, I'd not put Discus with Africans.

Also, Discuss require a very calm and peaceful environment, which Jack Dempseys will NOT provide.

 

[Jordan Siehr]

This is the list I have:
Red tailed shark
Demasoni
2 Electric Yellow
Tretocephalus
2 Red Zebra
2 Gold Sexfasciatus
2 Blue Johanni
and a pleco