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Hi guy's and gals,i have a 29 with a blue gourami,soon to be 6 black skirt tetras 3 at the moment,and i was wondering if the dwarf cichlid would get along with them,was thinking about adding cory's too or maybe clown loaches.your thoughts would be much appreciated.

Est solarus uth mithas,My honor is my life

Clown loaches get huge - don't think about putting them in a 29...even for a short period of time.

However, there are a ton of dwarf cichlids that would do fine in your set-up with the fish you list (although corys would be in competition for bottom space - personally I'd choose either corys or the dwarf cichlids).

Bolivian rams are very hardy and fairly common. Blue rams are gorgeous but do much better in very soft, low pH water. Any apistogramma or Laetacara species would work (cockatoo apistos, borelli, flag cichlids, etc.).

Eric

ok,thanks alot Big E.if i get a ram is there any bottom feeders out there that would go well in the tank?

Est solarus uth mithas,My honor is my life

If you get a single ram, then you'd be OK with a trio of corys...it's more when you get a breeding pair of rams and cory's both vying for bottom space that you have a problem.

If you want a pair of rams, a trio of otocinclus will do a good job with algae in the tank (be sure and feed algae tablets if you don't have any algae in the tank).

Eric

You could do 4 smaller loaches if you don't want the cichlids to manage raising their eggs. Basically any loach besides clowns and dojos would work but I'd probably avoid zebras since they get to be a fair size too. Loaches bounce around the whole tank, not just the bottom, and are generally too quick, boisterous, and bold for cichlids to beat up. I know on occasion people have kept yoyos or zebras with african cichlids so these guys can stand up for themselves. However they are wonderful at egg snatching and so will quickly eliminate any spawns your cichlids have. Cories aren't much different though. They'll also steal the eggs. It does make the cichlids less agressive since they no longer have eggs to gaurd but you'll never have cichlid fry. If you want fish that aren't as likely to steal eggs look into otos and smaller plecos like bristlenose. They are slow moving though and may not get out of the way before the cichlids beat them up a little. My bn had a few torn fins from the blue rams.

Thanks,That helps out alot.i've decided what i want to go in my tank now.you all have been the best help.

Est solarus uth mithas,My honor is my life