16 replies to this topic

[loopsnj64]

I have a lone adult Peacock Cichlid in a 30 gallon tank, he is recovering from some sort of disease, but he is otherwise healthy and eating well, first off i know i won't be having any other cichlids, or any cichlid-like natives (notably sunfish, not like they would fit anyway), Second off, this Peacock is painfully shy, if you get close to the tank he hides behind a piece of driftwood (will add more shelters for that reason)

 

I was thinking of adding...

 

Madtoms (scavenging, shouldn't disturb the peacock)

 

Shiners (any that are large enough to not be eaten that wouldn't scare a shy fish)

 

Anything else that would work?

[littlen]

I don't know that your request fits our mission of discussing natives since you're inquiring about an invasive species.....and the husbandry of such---so this may get locked quickly unless you wanted to discuss the impact of our native species due to the introduction and dispersal of the cichlids.  But to answer your questions quickly.....


There are no shiners that get 'too large' for an adult peacock bass to eat.  Or a madtom for that matter.  I don't think you have an adult peacock---mainly because one would not fit in a 30g.  It is shy only in your presence and will resume normal [eating] behavior when you leave.

[MtFallsTodd]

Have to agree its not an adult. I've caught peacock bass you would have to fold in half to get in a 30 gallon. Adult sunfish would be a appropriate meal for an adult peacock bass.

[Betta132]

Peacock cichlids aren't the same thing as peacock bass.

Most shiners are a bit too active for a 30g, they need more space. 

I see no reason why a madtom would be a problem. One of the smaller madtom species is probably your best bet.

[dac343]

Not wanting to jump to conclusions but yes there are peacock cichlids from Lake Malawi and peacock bass. I've come across many that called a peacock bass a peacock cichlid... So assuming that it is a lake Malawi specimen are you keeping it in typical Malawi conditions? I'll go ahead and say look for other options as its simply not worth the risk of introducing wc individuals to tank raised specimens. If you want natives and are serious about it look into a dedicated native tank.

[gerald]

I have kept shiners and dace together with small cichlids (Julidochromis, Etroplus, Apistogramma, etc) for years, usually without problems, as long as they're compatible in terms of water chemistry, temp, food, behavior, etc.   Having a school of shiners will probably make the peacock less shy; most fish feel more secure when they see other fish their own size or smaller cruising around. 

[loopsnj64]

I don't know that your request fits our mission of discussing natives since you're inquiring about an invasive species.....and the husbandry of such---so this may get locked quickly unless you wanted to discuss the impact of our native species due to the introduction and dispersal of the cichlids.  But to answer your questions quickly.....


There are no shiners that get 'too large' for an adult peacock bass to eat.  Or a madtom for that matter.  I don't think you have an adult peacock---mainly because one would not fit in a 30g.  It is shy only in your presence and will resume normal [eating] behavior when you leave.

 

Its not a peacock bass, no its a Aulonocara, peacock cichlid, though my bad for discussing what is probably invasive, this was just something i wanted out of the way before i ended up losing fish to the peacock cichlid or vice versa

 

Yeah i do see him eating when I'm on the opposite side of the room

 

 

 

Not wanting to jump to conclusions but yes there are peacock cichlids from Lake Malawi and peacock bass. I've come across many that called a peacock bass a peacock cichlid... So assuming that it is a lake Malawi specimen are you keeping it in typical Malawi conditions? I'll go ahead and say look for other options as its simply not worth the risk of introducing wc individuals to tank raised specimens. If you want natives and are serious about it look into a dedicated native tank.

 

 

Yeah i do have a currently planted 5 gallon that will be used probably for pygmy sunnies or least killifish, I know for certain i would have to be extremely cautious about quarantine and disease, i could use the 5 gallon for quarantine if need be (the plants are i have are somewhat salt tolerant)

 

 

 

 

I have kept shiners and dace together with small cichlids (Julidochromis, Etroplus, Apistogramma, etc) for years, usually without problems, as long as they're compatible in terms of water chemistry, temp, food, behavior, etc.   Having a school of shiners will probably make the peacock less shy; most fish feel more secure when they see other fish their own size or smaller cruising around. 

 

 

 

Yes that was exactly why i mentioned shiners in the first place

Edited by loopsnj64, 04 September 2015 - 04:30 PM.

[loopsnj64]

If a madtom works, would the larger darter species work (tank is relatively open, well aerated, unheated of course and with a sand/gravel mix), if rainbows are too small, which darters would work (the tanks hood has a space where i can put a plastic tube that reaches to the bottom, i would use that to feed the darters, madtoms or whatever i put there)

[Matt DeLaVega]

How large is the cichlid? How large does the species get?

[loopsnj64]

How large is the cichlid? How large does the species get?

 

He is a young adult, at around 4 inches, he will max in size at 5 to 6 inches, also quick reasearch revealed that peacocks are one of the more gentle species, when it comes to compatibilty with non-cichlids.

[Matt DeLaVega]

Seems to me that with a bit of trial and error, and since the tank is unheated, that you have many native fish that would work. Too many to name in fact. I see no reason not to try it out.

[loopsnj64]

Thank, you i guess my best bet would be to start with a madtom, and continue adding fish from there

[Matt DeLaVega]

Since this is your thread Loop's, I suppose I should address it here.

 

Your signature seems somewhat inflammatory.

 

I can't speak to tropical keepers, but native fish keepers are a bit of a different breed.  They don't simply buy fish, they spend a lot of time researching them, and discovering where to find their species of interest. Most of them care about these fish greatly as they are in their backyard waterways. Most have a major interest in conservation. These things separate them from people who keep fish from thousands of miles away, and know nothing of the streams, lakes or rivers that they inhabit. It is a very different hobby with different driving forces. Some NANFA members do not even keep fish, they just enjoy them in their natural environment.

 

  However some members here do keep some tropical fish, and some even mix native fish with tropicals. It is generally frowned upon due to temperature differences, but nothing more.

 

  For me, I have yet to really learn all their is to know about the fish in my own backyard, let alone fish 3000 miles away(arbitrary number) So for me for instance, I have a long way to go educating myself with North American fish before I move to another continent. Also just going into a LFS and buying fish does not speak to the amateur naturalist in me. I suspect others feel the same.

 

I don't think the hobbies repel each other, I just think people are different and everyone has their own reason for their interests. I think the naturalist part divides the hobbies the most. Just my thoughts on the subject.

[Michael Wolfe]

... They don't simply buy fish, they spend a lot of time researching them...

 

...going into a LFS and buying fish does not speak to the amateur naturalist in me. I suspect others feel the same.

 

...I think the naturalist part divides the hobbies the most.

 

Well said sir... almost makes me wish we had a 'like' button... 

[dac343]

Matt hit it on the head.  Even in the tropical fish hobby there are your generalist keepers who may look at more community based tanks then you have your specialist.  Those who try and recreate biotopes aquariums and who carefully research their choices and try and mimic a certain drainage/system.  I like to think that many native keepers fall more towards the specialist category as they are trying to recreate the streams found in their backyards. 

[gerald]

The strength and beauty of NANFA, to me, is the diversity of backgrounds of our members & forum users  ...  city kids (like me) who started with tropicals and goldfish, then grew into natives later; sport fishing people who got curious about all those other non-game fish in the creek; aquaculturists; nature-watchers; conservation folks; science teachers; public aquarium staff; etc, etc.   They all have observations and tips to contribute. 

 

I'm curious what's the basis of your statement that tropical and native hobbyists repel each other?  I haven't seen that happening.  Sure, there are certain people who prefer to keep one or the other, or reefs, or high-tech plant tanks, but those are just personal interests ... not a cause for animosity.

[MtFallsTodd]

Just my 2 cents but I have a reef tank that is basically a zoo. The inhabitants of this tank are from just about everywhere. Most would have no chance of coming in contact with each other in the wild. It is purely for my enjoyment. My native tank and interest in NANFA are much closer to my heart. My native tank reminds me of the minnows I caught as a kid. The native fish in my area have always fascinated me. I have chosen to set up a tank exclusively with things from Frederick county,Virginia. And I want to go out and enjoy nature while collecting for this tank. I make every effort to introduce the locals to the beauty of our native waters and why they are important. Being on both side of the native/tropical fence I don't feel repelled by either side. I do find myself watching my little tank of darters more than my tank of corals, they are from Frederick county just like me.