CA dither fish?

[WGC-Katana]

I know these aren't really cichlids, but I want to get some dither fish to help cut down on the aggresion in my tank. The thing is though that I want to set it up strickly from CA fish. Anybody have any suggestions also a bottom feeder or two would be nice.

 

[Avalon]

I'm not sure what you mean. You can use CA cichlids as dithers. Severums and convicts make great dithers. A pleco is good for the bottom and loaches get along well with CA cichlids (my Midas, Severums, and Green Terror totally ignore them). If worried about size, I think you'll find loaches grow rather quickly on cichlid food.

You can use dang near anything you want as long as it won't fit in the mouth of others, and the primary fish aren't overly aggressive. Dainty freshwater fish usually won't fare well.

 

[WGC-Katana]

ok i was planning on going with a Jack dempsey a couple of convicts, a texas add in a couple of kuhli loaches ( I know not fron CA, but I can't find any CA loaches and I love them ) and a pleco, probably a clown. Does anybody see any problems with this?

 

[bubblecandy]

Curious... what is a dither fish?

 

[Lotus]

You could try some swordtails or mollies, both are from Central America. There are some fish lists for various regions here, if you haven't looked at it: http://fish.mongabay.com/biotope.htm

I'm not sure if the cichlids would see them as lunch, or not.

 

[f8fan]

Curious... what is a dither fish?

"Dither" fish are those that are extremely active in the tank, swimming around and make the other fish feel that it is *safe* to come out of "hiding"....

 

[wayne]

Yes, I'd use swordtails.

Plecos, loaches of any flavour are out of biotope. If you have a pair of CA cichlids in a tank, other cichlids do not make good dithers as they just enrage the pair.

Unlike mbuna, I also wouldn't bet on dithers to reduce aggression either.

 

[ScubaSteve]

Plecos, loaches of any flavour are out of biotope.

Agreed... You can substitute them with a Pictus Cat which is from CA.....

 

[radamsk1]

I'd say go for some Convicts or Jack Dempseys... other possibilities can include some catfish, but I wouldn't necessarily say they'd be a dither fish then.