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I need to get something to tidy up the bottom of my tank with my Jewel.

The LFS said a cory would work but I wasnt coing to mix african/SA species.

Also since my Jewel likes to hang out around the bottom would a bottom dweller be a bad idea?

Thanks
Kyle

I can not tell you there. I have 5 Albino Corys in with my Krib and he is constance chasing them. Luckly their is 5 of them and that they are fast. I did it for the same reason as you. Needed something to clean up the tank, as the Krib is the only one in there. I also have a Jewel in with 8 mollys. The mollys do a great job keeping the tank clean. They don't let things sit on the bottom for long. BUT my Jewel grew up with my Mollys. If I have a sick or weak Molly, the Jewel will kill it. (or fry, yum, yum) ***Tiger.

What sized tank is the cichlid in? If the tank is large enough, a Synodontis catfish of some kind would probably work. They've got nice sharp spines, and are nocturnal. That gives them some defense against an over-aggressive jewel cichlid.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

I agree with Sir. Synodontis Petricloa(dwarf) or Multipunctatus both stay 5" or under. Also BN plecos are great algea/bottomfeeders and are very tough. All depends on size of tank though. Many types of Synos to choose if tank is larger.

Hes in a 20gal now but I am getting a 30gal ready for him. He will continue to be the only fish in the tank other than a bottom dweller.

Well as I love Synodontis, I would say go with a Dwarf Petricola. But if you end up with algea problems, he would not help. Your best bet is a BN pleco. How large is the Jewel in question now?

2-2.5"

He is still new to the tank since I just got him Sunday.

One possibility, given that the Jewel Fish (I assume we're talking about Hemichromis guttatus here) isn't a Rift Lake fish, but a riverine one that is relatively happy in neutral or slightly acidic conditions, is to pair it up with a Doradid Catfish of some kind. Given the heavy-duty spined armour of the typical Doradid, your Jewel Fish will learn very quickly indeed that something such as a Raphael Catfish is not to be messed with, and will hopefully have the good sense to try only once.

Even a Cichlid as notoriously bad tempered as a Jewel Fish will soon learn that the average Doradid is simply too well armoured to pick fights with.

Look up the Family Doradidae via the Cat-e-Log on PlanetCatfish.com and check out some species. As well as Platydoras costatus, the Raphael Cat, there is Acanthodoras spinosissimus, the Talking Cat, which not only possesses enough heavy duty spiny armour to keep your Jewel Fish well and truly at bay, but will also liven up your aquarium no end because it makes an audible pig-like grunting noise (hence the common name) that is actually quite startling when you first hear it!


Last edited by Calilasseia at 16-Mar-2005 13:27

Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

Sorry I wasnt specific. Its a Hemichromis bimaculatus

Yea I remember the Rafael Cats when I worked at Pet Supermarket in High School. Neat fish.

Yes they are a riverine species so I should treat him more like an SA. Would Blackwater extract be ok to use as I am a SA cichlid person and this is my first African?

Even synos may be a bit ruffled up in confined quarters. IMO, Cass's dory suggestion will work best.

Last edited by Cup_of_Lifenoodles at 16-Mar-2005 20:28

Sorry I wasnt specific. Its a Hemichromis bimaculatus

Actually, it's been renamed. Hemichromis guttatus. Which is actually more descriptive than the old name (guttatus = covered in small dots).

The only Synodontis I'd consider as a companion is JellyfishPJs' pet called "Rambo". It's a Synodontis acanthomias, and even at 4 inches, apparently it's the only fish that Jelly has seen square up to a Flowerhorn and make it back down

Goodness knows what it'll do when it hits 12 inches, which for acnathomias is well within reach in a large aquarium




Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

I agree on Cass's Rapheal suggestion also. Very cool cat. But I think most of you would be suprised at how tough Synodontis species are. Ive owned many and currently have 17 I think. I'd have to say my Multis are very tough. And my Brichardi which I consider my most "docile" Syno, would not take crap from a full grown male Auratus or a 6" Venustus. And I have tougher Synos than that. But considering tank size and the Jewel(river),you should try a rapheal(spotted stays smaller). Good luck.

I also agree with the raphael thingy...but i ain't gonna be a parrot here so i'll make a new suggestion anyway kekekekz...how abt try a coupla clown loaches? I know they seem all friendly and stuff, and have miniscule scales instead of battle tank armour like Mr. Raphael does, but i know a friend who grew his clowns to a decent size, i think approx 20cm, and they were housed in a tank with aggressive cichlids (can't remember which coz i'm not a cichlid nut), but anyway according to him, there was once when the cichlids kept on harrasing the poor clowns, that one of them just grew fed up of the ill treatment, erected his spikes beneath his eyes, swam up to the cichlid, and eviscerating the stupid fishhahahahahahah talk abt hardcore