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Hi there,
We had a long power outage that resulted in the loss of the majority of the fish from my community aquarium.... we're going to take this opportunity, since we've found homes for most of the remaining fish, to switch to a Cichlid tank.

Here is my main question, I have a small Leporinus (don't ask, LFS said it would work well in a community tank! Now they won't take him back ). What sort of Cichlid's can I mix with him?

At the LFS store today, a few of the Cichlid's they stock are: Firemouths, "assorted africans" yellow ones and blue ones, convicts, gold sevrums, kribensis, and some others that I just can't remember the names of right now. There is another LFS in town that I may go and check their stock later today.

Also, I have 5 remaining black skirt tetra's that *should* have a new home in a day or two, but if they decide not to take them, any chance these tetra's can be in a Cichlid tank?

Thanks and looking forward to your advice!

55 US gal tank with 2 aquaclear 300's for filtration

If you have Firemouth's or Kribs you should be fine with the tetra's. They would actually help your cichlids come out of there shell a bit.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

generally a banded lepo... will grow too large for tanks under 100+ gallons, so keep that under consideration.


but yea i would agree with kribensis an african cichlid that is very easy to keep in a community tank, and a firemouth.

Wow I compleatly missed that part!

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Yes, I have talked with the LFS about the leporinus... they have agreed to take him back, once he gets "bigger" and they can sell him for more $$$ I guess..... how quickly do these guys grow?

My pair of black banded leporinus took just under a year to go from 2 inches to 8+ inches. Definitely needs a big tank. You could see if the other fish store would take him. And don't let the lfs talk you into any bala sharks either.

IMO-Never buy from an "assorted tank" as you cannot be sure of what you are getting and are very likely to have size or compatability issues.

The kribs and/or firemouths would be good in a 55 gal. You'll want to have lots of caves and rocks or plants to mark territories. You could also go with some rams such as g. altispinosus. They are small and do well in a community tank. A pair of convicts or jewels would be good. Just add food and watch them breed. Be sure to find a new home for the tetras first.