Small fish to go along with Cichlids

[KBryant888]

I have 3 cichlids in a 35 gallon tank and a pleco. I want some more fish but understand I dont really have room. Are there any types of small fish that i could add?

 

[Cichlid-Man]

What types of cichlids?

 

[KBryant888]

to be honest Im not exactly sure what kind... they were inherited from a neighbor who was going to throw them out.

In fact, here are the fish I have total:

1 Bala Shark (the other died he said)
2 Silver Dollars (I think... they look like Pompano if you know what they are)
1 Orange Cichlid (looks like a snook kind of)
1 Pleco (4 inches) - wont get any bigger

--- sorry for the saltwater references

 

[KBryant888]

anybody have any suggestions?

 

[janlo]

if you could do some research to find wich cichlid you have....

 

[wayne]

You have to know what cichlids.

But for the most part cichlids and small docile fish do not mix. S American cichlids will either eat or ignore them, C Americans will eat or kill, African rifts generally eat, kill or pester to death

 

[Exevious]

The only option you have for a happy and healthy aquarium is to find out what type of cichlids you have.... and then select other compatable cichlids.

the orange one might be a red zebra, but this guess is straight outta my a** You would need to verify it with some research and pictures.

If you are lucky and have african cichlids... Most stay under 5 inches.
You could get away with 8-10 in a 35g. But honestly 50g is a recommended minimum.

You really need to figure out what you have. The three main types of cichlids all have different requirements.

You should check out cichlid-forum.com

 

[straitjacket]

Does the "orange snook looking cichlid" look anything like these?

RD/Midas
http://www.aqualandpetsplus.com/Cichlid, Red Devil.htm
http://www.elmersaquarium.com/10cichlid_reddevil.htm
http://www.centralpets.com/photos/fish/freshwater_fish/photo_fwf4519.html?rate=0&Page=2

P. splendida
http://cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=2328
http://www.aquaria.info/modules/gallery/gcca2005/petenia_splendida_red
http://www.cichlidlovers.com/p_splendida.htm

 

[Rokl33t]

first off, get rid of ur bala's and silver dollars...lol no offense an all but they are hellla ugly lol its like having a garage full of benz and some civics...but thats just my opinion plus its not a really good tank mate to have

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Hey, don't knock Civics, they're great little cars.

 

[straitjacket]

Looks have nothing to do with it. People can keep whatever they want no matter what the physical appearance. That's personal opinion.
Fact of the matter is - most, if not all, of the fish in that 35gl tank will outgrow it. Balas reach anywhere from 10-13", the smallest "common plec" will grow to 10" minimum and produce a lot of waste. The silver dollars, Metynnis sp., will grow to about 5 or 6" and are highly active. Not very good choices for a 35gl. If all these fish are to be kept together I'd recommend a 4' 75gls as a minimum. This is without considering the mystery cichlid.