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I have had my 40g tank for about a month and a half now with a couple african cichlids and some other fish...everything I have in there now lives fine together but if i try to add another fish, it usually ends up dead. I have tryed to buy bigger and more aggressive fish than the small africans I have such as a green terror. He got chased from time to time but I thought he would do ok. A week later I noticed he was getting chased around much more on a particular morning, and he was dead by the end of that day. Is there any way to add a couple more cichlids to my tank without worrying about them being killed? right now i have a 2&1/2 inch kenyi and 2&1/2 inch orange blotch. I would like to add an electric blue or something that will add some different colors to my tank since my kenyi turned out to be male (he is turning yellow). Thanks in advance.

Advice from someone who tried it several times.

DO NOT mix other types of cichlids with african cichlids.



The Amazon Nut...

I agree, you can't mix other types of cichlids with Africans...the Africans will unite and kill the outsider. I kept Africans for about 6 years - occasionally I would add new tank mates. I got a tip from a breeder that the best thing you can do when adding new fish to the tank is to redecorate, specifically change any caves/hiding places. That way, everyone in the tank has to establish new territory and it gives the new fish an equal opportunity to do so. It's kind of a pain, but always worked well for me. Another word of advice, try to make sure the new guy(s) are close to the same size.

Don't mix Cichlids & i also suggest to keep the African Cichlids seperated. Those from Lake Malawi, Victoria & Tanganijka, all in their own tank.


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In order to get more fish, you can return either fish, and get fish of the same species of the one remaining of equal or larger size. Redecorate the tank and add more hiding places/territories if there are not enough.

There are plenty of mixed african tanks out there, but usually these are rather large with lots of hiding places. Also, they are overstocked to prevent aggression on a specific fish.

I'd get about 5 more kenyis or orange blotches IMO, and add them at once. I think it would be best to get kenyis since they are relatively considered more peaceful, but of course, fish always differ from one another.

[font color="#BF791F"]"I'd get about 5 more kenyis or orange blotches IMO, and add them at once. I think it would be best to get kenyis since they are relatively considered more peaceful" [/font]


Kenyi are considered one of the more aggressive mbunas. They may be 'relatively' more peaceful than the orange blotch but they're still very aggressive. And maybe you guys haven't noticed this is only a 40g.

http://www.fishforums.net/lofiversion/index.php/t34905.html
I'll take back the kenyi and the orange blotch and get some more peaceful mbuna.

+ as already said don't mix african cichlids with american cichlids.

Anyways good luck with the tank.


Last edited by PJ at 06-Oct-2005 23:40

I think the aggression of the kenyi is dramatically overrated. Aquarists are starting to find it easier and easier to keep. Heres a quote I dug up on a website :

"Although they are territorial, usually a male can be kept with a group of females and other Cichlids of equal size and temperament, provided plenty of space and many hiding places are allowed. It is considered to be best to keep them with Cichlids of the same species. "

http://www.centralpets.com/animals/fish/freshwater_fish/fwf4512.html

Honestly, I feel a 40 gallon is plenty of room for 6 kenyis, as long as he doesnt end up with a ton of males. If he has one, or even two, theres plenty of room for the sub dominant and 5 females to get away. Also, if theres a bulky dither fish like full grown giant danios, it'll probably work even better. It might even be better to get more females than suggested.