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What size tank are we talking about? How mature are the fish? Younger fish would be more willing to accept a new fish into their territory.

I am actually very familiar with clown loaches and yes they have the potential to reach up to 12" although not very common in captivity. One of my LFS's has more than a few clowns that are easily 8"+ (more than likely wild caught). 2 of these are actually in their big cichlid show tank. I have kept clowns for awhile and do have a school of 6 in another tank. I knew that clowns wouldn't do well with cichlids in my situation, I was just more wondering when the idea of loaches came up to maybe have a smaller breed such as a Zebra or Kuhlii.

I would not go with the clown loaches in any tank unless its big... I believe, and any one can correct me, clown loaches like to be in a school and they get very big.. I believe like 7-8 inches maybe bigger and i think they like a school of 6 or more... Please any professionals correct me if I am wrong on the clown loaches...

Natedog

synodontis petricola are good cause they stay smaller and you can build smaller caves for them that ADULT cichlid have a harder time getting into.

I would reccommend then waiting until you move them into the larger tank before you introduce any scavangers. Just don't wait until your cichlids are to large are they may not readily accept their new tank mates. Just be sure to have plenty of rocks and caves in your tank not only so the cichlids can establish territories but for the scavangers to have some place to hide.

I realize this, this is only a temporary situation. Once they get a little bit bigger they'll be moved to a bigger tank.

I have to agree. I'm not trying to be rude, but that tank is on a road to disaster.
If you can't provide a larger home in which I would recommend at LEAST a 40 gal and larger is always better. I would highly recommend return them in turn for some smaller cichlids like shellies if you cannot provide a larger home. This fish will grow fairly faster and serious health problems will occur due their tank size.

I would not add any bottom feeders to that tank.

Last edited by openwater at 14-Jun-2005 19:49

Are you planning on keeping these cichlids? As if you are you are going to have to have a much much larger tank.No less than at least a 75 gallon. A 10 gallon tank is just going to be way to small for those fish as they will reach in size from about 6 to 8 inches and are aggressive and territorial. Also any scavanger that would even be considered soudable to mix with cichlids will also get just to large for a 10 gallon tank.
So to honest in order to successfully keep these fish your going to have to invest in a larger tank.

They are very young fish, the tank is 10 gallons, most of the fish are smaller than an inch

My girlfriend and I have started a little african cichlid tank and currently we have 6 little juvenile african cichlids (3 differnt breeds) And one thing that we have noticed is that they are pretty messy eaters. They seem to prefer to fight over food and let other stuff fall to the ground. I know they are very aggressive fish and have very few compatible tankmates, my question is: is there a scavenger fish that are compatible with african cichlids? We don't really need an algae eater, just something to clean the uneaten food off of the bottom. I know this might be a stretch but if there would be anyone who knew it would be all you in the forum. Any help would be appreciated.

Corys arent a good choice, they don't have protection from your mbuna that are territorial by nature. They also wont like the higher pH.

What about cory cats? Would they go well in a cichlid tank?

what about a more "armored" catfish, like a raphael? my cichlids dont leave much food, they are pretty good eaters, so a plec to keep the algea cleaned up is all i really need, but i have considered a spotted raphael be cuas i hear they are very tough and very good scavengers.

Pictus cats work great, or syndontis eupterus. I have them in my tang tank.

You might try something like a synodontis lace catfish. I currently have 3 in my mbuna tank. They make great scavangers and the cichlid don't mess with them.

If it matters the cichlids are: 2-Electric Blue, 2-Cobalt Blue, and 2 Acei

Skunk loaches? Really? That's interesting, would any loach do? Clowns (although my favorite) might be too big for the tank but zebra botias or kuhlii's would be cool if they were compatible.

In my cichlid tank I have three skunk loaches and a BN pleco. They all seem to do a great job of cleanup of the leftovers. I guess you could use some ghost shrimp but in my tank they only last about thirty minutes...

Natedog