Dwarves in small communities???

[ErisKSC]

Hi

I'm new to the forum but have kept a few dwarves before, i do keep and breed a variety of cichlids though as well as Australian natives.

My question is about Apistos in community tanks, what are some suitable tank mates, such as Corydora catfish, neon/cardinal tetras? I'm just not sure what i can put with a them in a 50-60 litre tank.

I'm looking at getting a pair/trio of Apisto, probably something a little bit bullet-proof to start with.

My main concern is that corys would enrage the dwarves.

 

[Mike Wise]

Dwarf or not, cichlids are cichlids. They are territorial by nature. In smaller tanks like yours they can easily claim the entire bottom. In such set-ups it is best to not have other bottom dwelling fish. Fish that swim in the mid & upper levels are usually ignored - unless the approach too close to their fry. Many popular tetras are consumate fry predators - especially when they attack in groups. If you are interested in a community tank & not interested in producing a lot of fry, then most small mid to upper level fish will be fine. If you are interested in producing numbers of fry, then pencilfish, hatchetfish, & similar surface feeding species are the best species to keep in the tank with breeders.