Who Gives A Fish Forums

I'm setting up a new aquarium and I'm planning to transfer most of my current fish into it. I've recently fallen for Petricola Catfish, and I've been considering adding some African Cichlids as tankmates, as I've heard they're a good match. My main question is, can I mix my current fish with African Cichlids, and if so, which species would be suitable for my tank? I've been keeping fish for a few years, but I've never had Cichlids before, so my knowledge is pretty limited.

My current 110L tank has the following fish:
1 mature Rainbow Shark (12cm)
4 Boesmani Rainbows (6cm)
3 Rainbowfish (5-8cm) - 1 Blue, 1 Red, 1 Parkinson's
5 juvenile Petricola Catfish (5-7cm)
2 mature Kuhli Loaches
2 Bristlenose Pleco (1 juvenile, 1 mature)
1 mature Banjo Catfish (12cm)

I'm planning to move all of these fish to the new tank, except for the Banjo Cat and Kuhli Loaches - they'll be staying in the 110L tank with a big shoal of Neon Tetras. I might also add some tiger barbs or similar barbs if I think there's enough space.

My new tank is 4ft and about 300 Litres, so I'm only interested in smaller Cichlids that grow up to 20cm max.

If you're referring to Rift Lake cichlids, I'd advise against mixing them with your current fish. Rift Lake cichlids require harder water and can be quite aggressive.

On the other hand, if you're considering West or Central African cichlids, there might be some options. For example, the Kribensis cichlid is a soft-water species that could potentially thrive in your tank. However, it's essential to research and understand their specific needs and compatibility before making a decision.