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Dwarf cichlids for planted tank?

Piotr

New Member
Messages
2
Hi,
I am new to this forum. I have a planted tank with a group of bolivian rams. They co-existed peacefully until rams spawned. They dug a hole in the back. That was ok. But soon after hatching, they dig more and move the wrigglers from one hole to another. They uproot quite a lot. I am thinking about changing them to another species. Is this a typical behaviour or are there dwarf cichlids which don't dig? 30 gal tank, so too smal for angelfish which would be a great choice in a planted tank.
 

Mike Wise

Moderator
Staff member
5 Year Member
Messages
11,202
Location
Denver, Colorado, U.S.A.
Bolivian Rams are open substrate breeders. Like their larger cousins they do dig pits. Most cave-spawning dwarf cichlids don't dig much or not at all. Try one of the Apistogramma, Nannacara or Dicrossus species.
 

Piotr

New Member
Messages
2
Thanks! I like Dicrossus maculatus a lot.
Would Crenicara punctulatum be a good alternative too? My LFS has it on stock. I could not find any info whether they dig pits for wigglers or not.
 

Mike Wise

Moderator
Staff member
5 Year Member
Messages
11,202
Location
Denver, Colorado, U.S.A.
D. maculatus will dig some - and also move things (mostly leaves) around in search of food. Well rooted plants should be safe for the most part. A better choice is D. filamentosus.
 

Mol_PMB

Active Member
Messages
252
I can highly recommend D filamentosus :)
Their challenges are showy but not aggressive, so you can keep a group of 6 or so even in a 2' tank. They have great colours too. The first cichlid I have bred :D
 

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