Suggestions for dither fish in mbuna tank?

R

rdmpe

Medium Fish
#1
Aug 22, 2003
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Howdy,

I have a 55g with 11 various Mbuna including labs, zebras, demasoni, cobalts. A couple are 3" to 4", most are 2" to 3" and maybe 2 or 3 at 1.2". Bought some at different times and some feed better but they are all making progress and feeding. I've had them all together for about 2 months and no deaths, minimal aggression. The tank has LOTS of limestone rock with LOTS of caves and crevices.

My problem is that they are pretty shy and tend to dissappear into the rocks when I get within 6' or 8' of the tank (until the realize it's FEEDING TIME !!! LOL)

So I'm wondering what is a good small cheap dither fish. I was thinking of a group of neons ? I can get small ones for $0.49 at an lfs. But if they all get eaten in two days, then they aren't so cheap! I want something fairly small because I don't want to distract from the cichlids (visually).

Thanks,
Randy
 

C

colesea

Superstar Fish
#2
Oct 22, 2002
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#2
Hmm... can't say I've ever had that particular problem with Mbunas, all the ones I've ever met seemed socible right from the start.

Dim your tank and room lights. Dim lighting is a sign of safety in fish. Add a whole lot more rockwork. And most importantly, just be patient and slow with them. You've only had them two months, and it might take awhile for them to warm up to you, especially if they are in a high traffic area where lots of stuff goes on in front of their tank.
~~Colesea
 

R

rdmpe

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Aug 22, 2003
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Whew, I thought 2 months was a long time! They are across a small room of which the other side is a major traffic area, and I have 5yr and 7yr old boys, so it is definitely a high traffic area! That's why I think I'm going to need some dither fish, to show them that no preds are around...

Can't add more rocks. The tank is practically full. Lighting could be an issue, but the tank previously had a 40W light on it, less than one watt/gallon, and same behaviour... I've just recently gone to more light, but again, they've always liked to hide back in the rocks.
 

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R

rdmpe

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#7
Aug 22, 2003
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I had some tiger barbs once and they were the most spazzed out fish I've ever owned. I wonder if 4 to 6 of them would be good?

So you think the neon tetras would be too mellow?

I've never had Danios before, will look into them. Thanks.

The limestone is good for the cichlid tank, raises the PH and alkalinity. I also have aragonite substrate which does the same thing...

My limestone has some iron and probably other metals/minerals in it that would make it wrong for a saltwater setup, but it is working well for the cichlids. It's called "Florida Fieldstone". I hand picked it from a giant pile of thousands of rocks at a rock/flagstone supply yard, paid something like $0.08 per lb (practically free) and it looks great!
 

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R

rdmpe

Medium Fish
#9
Aug 22, 2003
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Well, I went with 6 small (3/4") tiger barbs. They definitely sparked the cichlids interest and have them moving around more! I turned the lights off early though to keep things more mellow while the barbs adjust. Overnight and tomorrow will be the real test I suppose.
 

Somonas

Somonas

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#10
Oct 22, 2002
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#10
Hmm.
I wonder what would happen if I added tiger barbs to the 110. I've always wanted tiger barbs. My biggest cichlid is about 7".. he could probably fit a 3/4" fish into his mouth but he hasn't bothered the Danios yet... hrmm... must go to LFS tomorrow I guess.
 

R

rdmpe

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#11
Aug 22, 2003
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#11
So far the cichlids have shown a lot of interest but have not actually gone after the tiger barbs much at all. The tiger barbs are staying in a tight group but are moving around the tank a lot and seem to be doing fine. So I'm happy with them so far.
 

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