Who Gives A Fish Forums

Yeah, thinking about it, the blockheads do require a pretty high current, don't they. That wouldn't really work with the butterfly fish, would it? I mean, most African oddball tanks do have low lighting, so algae isn't usually a problem. You wouldn't really need an algae eater.

I'd say, for a peaceful community tank, you could do 6-10 congo tetra alternatives - or 6 congos if that's your only option. Then, 6 upsidedown cats, 3 butterfly fish, and 1 spotted bush fish. Maybe a small cave-dwelling cichlid, but I don't think that's necessary. The bush fish has plenty of character to be the centerpiece, and the upsidedown catfish would probably get pushed out of the caves by the small cichlids.

To be honest, I think it might be best to skip the cichlids altogether. They can be pretty territorial and aggressive when they're protecting their young. And then you've got the problem of what to do with the babies. I've only had experience with apistogramma, angelfish, severum, and kribs, but they all exhibited similar aggression - except for those kribs, they were brutal. Others might be more peaceful, I suppose.

The thing is, in a tank that size, your other fish might not appreciate the potential aggression from the cichlids. They might be on edge all the time, especially the shy ones like congo tetras. But hey, what do I know? I've never had experience with the cichlid species that have been suggested, so it wouldn't be fair of me to generalize.

I don't know much about killies, but I do worry that the butterfly fish might see them as a snack if they're as small as I think they are. Just have fun with it, and keep your fish happy and healthy.

I'm an African oddball fanatic, to be honest. Not really my thing, the cichlids, but my brother's all about them - he's got a whole collection and loves 'em. I started with polypterus, just because of that prehistoric vibe, and then I got hooked on synodontis - they're just amazing. Now I'm all about anything unusual and interesting, and it just so happens that all the best weird and wonderful fish are from Africa. I'm absolutely loving it.

Thanks for the welcome, by the way.

Edit: Oh man, I just realized - this is a cichlid forum, haha. I just stumbled upon this post and added my two cents without realizing I was in the African cichlid section, haha. Guess some of it might still be relevant, though.

Wow, so I'm totally overwhelmed with all the info. Thanks guys for sharing your knowledge. I know my tank is on the smaller side for an Africa theme, but it's the biggest I can fit in my bedroom, and I'm already maxed out with three tanks.

I'm planning to go all out with the plants, and I'll definitely be adding extra filtration to keep everything happy and healthy. I've got plenty of time to research different fish species before I start stocking, which is good because I've already hit a snag - I couldn't find any Congo tetras at my local fish stores. I was actually thinking of scrapping the whole idea and just keeping a couple of butterfly fish on their own.

Welcome Ed, by the way - your tank looks amazing. I'm seriously considering getting rid of my bed and wardrobe to make room for a bigger tank, but I think my family might have something to say about that. I'd love to have an oddball tank, but space is a major issue for me. It's all about keeping my fish happy and healthy, so I'll just have to make do with what I've got.

I'm a bit limited when it comes to choosing fish, since I don't have the option to order online - it's cash only for me. I used to know this awesome oddball specialist shop near me, but they closed down, so now I'm stuck with the local fish stores. Hopefully, I'll be able to find some great fish to stock my tank.

Low light and a heavy dose of anubias and pistia would be perfect for this tank. You don't necessarily need to order fish online, a good LFS will often take orders and have them in stock by the weekend.

As for congo tetras, I'd advise against them. If you're going to keep cichlids, a large school of smaller fish would be a better option. This way, the cichlids are less likely to focus on one particular fish, the smaller fish can hide in tight spaces, and a larger school will help keep all the fish healthy. Schooling fish feel safer in numbers, which reduces stress and makes them less prone to disease.

When keeping two territorial cichlids, it's all about creating separate spaces for each species. Take Anomalochromis thomasi and Parananochromis caudifasciatus, for example. One's a substrate spawner, the other's a cave spawner. You'd set up the left side of the tank for the substrate spawner, with open sand and flat stones, and some anubias to block the view of the other cichlid. The right side would be for the cave spawner, with plenty of hiding places and wood. Leave the middle section as a neutral zone, where neither cichlid wants to be.

A large, active school in the top and middle sections of the tank can actually prevent the two cichlid species from fighting. The more fish you have, the less likely one fish will be picked on. This setup also helps protect your butterfly fish, especially if it can hide in the floating plants.

Getting a pair of cichlids isn't as simple as just picking a male and female. You need to get at least five of each species, and ideally keep them in separate tanks. This way, you can see which ones pair up and which ones don't. The unpaired ones will be forced to the top of the tank or out of cover, so you can take them back to the store and trade them in.

Research is key when it comes to cichlids and any other fish you want to keep. Learn about their habitat, behavior, and needs. This tank has the potential to be one of the most interesting and unique tanks out there.