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I am a new fish keeper and I would like to know if you can keep a red empress and another African with a jack Dempsey and a convict? I dont want to go out and buy them and put them in the tank with the other 2 if they are not good tank mates. My tank is a 120 and I only want to have the 4 fish in my tank.
Hey Jason, I've been getting a bunch of grief about my Blood Parrot being in my African Cichlid tank. So much that I decided to make a video explaining how he even ended up in there. While researching I came across your vid and it was spot on! You have an awesome mix of some monsters in this tank... I was so happy to see it I sent you a shout out and linked to your video from mine. Thanks for helping me feel better about my African/American mix 😊
Glad it's working out for you. Obviously, it doesn't always work out and I usually don't purposely set up a tank to mix them, but sometimes it just works out that way. :-)
Would love to try African cichlids with my parrot red fish to free up some tank space.Scared I’ll lose my parrot fish it was a girl in a mile from quarter size to lemon size Loved your input thank you
I have always kept these fish together. I currently have a 200 gal with more than 100 large cichlids, Madagasgar, South American, Rift lake, Central American, and more. With this level of mix there is no aggression.
Naming all your fish totally rules. I have a 12" Oscar named Pipewrench that lives with a 1" Neon Tetra named Moncrief who joyfully swims in & out of Pipewrench's mouth w/o being eaten because they are old homies...
I have both African, South American (Green Terror) and a Huge Gold fish who was a feeder but survived to an adult life. The Gold fish is the most aggressive. LOL
Thats crazy because I have a "7" pleco thats a killer he eats the most feeders he killed my two oscars they were "3"tho he chases my convicts and african cichlids and fights the red devil time to time
I have mixed goldfish and tropical fish with great success. We keep our house temp in the 70s, and so are my unheated tanks. Sometimes you have to try new things and see for yourself!
I really appreciate how well you explained this. It was very helpful. It covered everything while the information online is generally mixed or biased which is unhelpful. I have noticed that the personality of the fish plays a very big factor when mixing cichlids. Great video. Thank you.
It is all about knowing the Fish, that is how to understand what Fish you can have with What Fish. But always do research First, never rush in without doing so and avoid buying on impulse. I have a mix of African and American Cichlids and I have no problems or disasters with the Mixed Species. Great video. Your channel has grown a lot from the day I started watching it, keep up the good work, and congratulations. Much love and support. Have a great week Sir.
I've had no problems with keeping both in the same tank. I have 3 severums, a black belt, green terror, two larger veil-tail oscars, a small jaguar, two small jack dempsey and a red Texas in a 90 gal mixed with some peacocks. I have several smaller peacocks in a 29gal, and 19 firemouths in another tank. In addition to the cichlids in the 90 there's also a synodondis velifer, pictus, saddled bichir, ropefish, bala shark, 12" red tail and a 14" Arowana. Picking up a 220 gal next week and will still likely mix some Africans in with the Americans. Great video/topic!😁🐟🐟
I have a 150 gallon with a dozen Malawi Peacock/Haps that was established for a year, added two Jack Dempseys and so far so good, the Jack Dempseys chase each other maybe once a week but other than that everyone is thriving. Great video sir!
I had 3 mono's, 2 geophagus jurupari, 1 silver tip shark cat, 1 blue eyed panaque, 1 Candy striped pleco, 1 pike cichlid, 1 flathead Goby (glossogobius Girius), 1 silver dollar (rescued), 1 tire track eel in the same aquarium for year's. There were other's that came and went, but those mentioned were there from the beginning of that particular aquarium set up.
Great explanation on why that tank works. It really helps to know the personality of your fish and the the general aggressiveness levels of a species in general. For example, you would never mix any Parachromis with a gold ocellatus-the Parachromis would get beat upon and die of stress overload.
As long as they are not killing each other do what makes you happy. It’s your tank and your hobby. Just came home with another long fin super red bushy nose,that fits in with what I am trying for/to breed, very dark and great fins. Thanks for the great video Professor fish.
I kept African and South American cichlids together for a long time without any problems. I think it worked out because I got them all when they were little and they grew up together. The only time I had a problem was when my Jack Dempseys wanted to breed. They got their own tank and everything went back to normal.
Beautiful! I don't have large tanks but I just moved my daughters 2 year old $40 candy betta from her 6 gallon Fluval Edge into my rimless 20 gallon long with my small school of blue tetras. I was so excited because everyone was getting along with zero issues and while I was in the process of cutting acrylic pieces for a lid to fit around the spiderwood, he jumped out and passed away. I feel terrible about it. He was a sweet boy.
I keep a pair of blood parrot cichlids in my peacock tank. Certainly not an all African tank but one that stands out for the vibrant colors and the intense personalities of the blood parrots. I personally love it. I also keep a large green phantom pleco as well. Not to long ago my jeweled cichlids paired off and started trying to kill each other. Two were killed overnight before I knew what was happening. The other surviving male was placed with the peacocks and they even for the most part (outside of minor chases) co habitate fine as well. In fact that jeweled is so colored up it almost glows in the dark. Thank you for all your wonderful work.
I've done it off and on for almost 20 years. Even with the fish you said you wouldn't keep together. It really is all about the individual fish. Something I found also lowers aggression is slightly lowering the tank temperature and frequently changing the scape.
One of the best reasons I’ve heard for being careful about mixing aggressive fish from different regions and/or families: differences in agonistic behavior, ie body language. It might be harder to understand threatening postures if you didn’t evolve together. Not as much of an issue with fish that are not very aggressive to begin with, but when you’re counting on intimidation to avoid fights, and the other fish isn’t backing down because it just doesn’t understand, you could have injurious fights breaking out. Something to think about.
I’ve got 2 12-13” Oscar’s, an 8” oscar, and a mix of about 15 South American and African cichlids 2-4” in the same tank and it works for me. They’ve been thriving for years.
I have jack dempsey, green terror pair, pair firemouth, julie, blood dragon, 5 mbunas, fairies and everything is okay for 1 year till now. But i've tied before and other fish like.. Demasoni and electeic acara. It didnt go well. But the most important is to see their personality🙂
It's 10 months after the video was done but it's the right time for me. I'm back to the hobie and I'm discovering lots of fish that I didn't know years ago and I wonder if it's possible to keep them on the same fishtank, the main concern are the water parameters but now I confirm what I was thinking, all the fish from a store were growth in same kind of water... Thanks for the video 👍👍👍
I love that tank jason there is so much "controversy" in this hobby but I have gone against the mainstream on several tanks and it has worked for me so far...if you dont try it you will never know lol great video bro 👍👍
I just started adding fish to my 700 gallon tank and I have African with an Oscar. I may get 2 or 3 more Oscars. I will let you know how it goes. It’s very nice to see that they can work,some of the time. Thanks 😃
Jason you talk to the Fish like I talk to my golden retriever loving it .We mixed convicts with may African Cichlids .By far the most aggressive to the tank was the convicts remove female help And leaving only three males convict work great
yeah, i have mixed them at times. ... african cichids make decent mates for red devils/midas if they are the right mix. ... but usually just worked out that way because of having to move fish around because of aggression etc. .. good video. very true stuff.
I have an oscar in a giant planted community aquarium alongside a large school of ember tetras. I also have a group of about 6 celestial pearl danios. As far as I can tell the Oscar never attacks the smaller fish. He ignores them. I tried adding a new oscar and it was hunting my tetras and was tearing up my plants. I had to take that one back to the store. It's totally down to temperament of the oscar. My oscar has been coexisting in a tank with plants and nano fish for 6 years now.
A very long time ago I had the same thing happen with a convict and a Jack Dempsey - there were very small fish in the tank and they never touched them.
100% how I talk to my fish too 😀. I don't keep Chiclids but I Loved this video, explaing how and why with ups and downs helps with learning so much! Plus, I could stare at that tank forever. Great Job Jason!
I think a lot of people do that because they're not cichlid-shamed into the biotope mentality yet. When it works they feel like they did something horrible, not remembering - wait I didn't actually have any issues. : -)
It is interesting what you said about fish personalities and how they can change overnight. I bought 7 Eliotti's Cichlids with a view to breeding, Even though they were only half grown the dominant male selected his female of choice and chased everybody else around the tank relentlessly. I had to remove the other 5. He and his chosen lady formed a really strong bond and they spawned regularly for several months. As soon as I removed one batch of fry they would spawn again within a couple of days and he was a very attentive father. There were no other fish in the tank and after a few months and without any warning he turned on his partner and tried to kill her, it didn't matter where she tried to hide he was actively hunting her. I had to get her out of the tank immediately or he would have killed her.
Love the mix! - In my case I have an Oscar tank w/ low Ph and soft water and an Mbuna tank with Hi Ph and hard water - But I love what you did - keep the videos coming1
I have Bala Sharks with Firemouth cichlids, Odessa Barbs, Jack Dempseys, pineapple Swordtails, and red Zebras and have no problems! They are actually great tank mates in my tank
My Oscars killed every new fish in my 125g tank.. i tried 2 peacocks and two yellows, half the size of the oscars. I made sure i fed them plenty before, but by the next day the malawis were killed. Even plecos had no chance. The only fish they left alone were the bichirs and ropefish.
I have a 75g cichlid tank, been running with the same 5 fish for about 2 years now. 3 Mbuna, 1 Venustus (hap), and 1 Jack Dempsey (south American). They all seem to coexist w/o issue. The Jack Demspey keeps to itself and I have never seen any of the others mess with it or vice versa. Just need to get 4-6 more malawi cichlids to fill the tank out.
My current favorite tank I keep is peacocks, yellow labs, Bolivian rams, 1 apisto. Rest of the tank is 6 panda garras, 1 triband sumo loach and 2 SAE. Been running for awhile now with no issues. Fingers crossed.
I've seen beautiful Frontosa-Angelfish Tanks. Its crazy because not only do both the Angelfish and Frontosas look very good and well cared for but the groups seem to intermingle with each other no aggression other than the occasional aggression within themselves. Besides, a lot of normal community tanks have weird fish mixes already with Tetras, Livebearers, rainbowfish, etc.
I have watch many youtube videos getting all the info I can possible get! Wanted you to know, yours are my favorite . Thank you . Malawi peacock and a couple hap tank
depends on fish i guess i have medium size yellow lab and bumblebee in with couple platys mollies tiger barbs and small redtail other than a little chasing no problems
The only reason I can think of why you would mix any fish is firstly water chemistry second the fish nature and third environment fish may survive but would it be a good stress free live hmmm great video and food for thought p.s. great tank sir
Right now I have a mix of African cichlids, a giant kissing gourami, flowerhorn and a jack dempsy. It’s working out really well and they get along just fine.
I'm thankful I'm not the only one here who thinks its all based on the temperament of your fish I have a peacock an Oscar and a featherfin in my 125 together my featherfin has been with me for years outliving my other fish and I got a peacock 1 year ago and realized it doesn't show any aggression at all it swims along side the featherfin and sleeps in the same cave as it every day and I decided to add an Oscar and they all just don't mess with eachother at all
I hate the idea of mixing old world and new world Cichlids. However I can understand that it can possibly work. You are so spot on with the water parameters also the big breeders Don't either. I was writing about the parameters in this comment when you started talking about it lol. For me I'd never mix them because of my personal taste in trying to make the tank look like the natural environment.
I've had a similar experience with an American cichlid tank I briefly used as a hospital tank for Africans. I had a mix of oscars, rainbow fish, angel fish, peacocks all got on just fine. Added a beaten up 3 inch yellow lab which was by far the smallest fish in the tank...he became the tank boss within 48 hours and had all the big fish in the corners. He only left the rainbows alone as they are so active.
💕🌱🐟🐌. Loved the vid! I do not have any African cichlids (unless u found my Angels). I really enjoyed how you especially referred to your fish by name and personality. The story of how you got the tilapia reminds of how much I want to adopt “unwanted” fish... lol
I have two tiger oscars who are really timid in a 100g with mbuna and a convict, green terror. No issues as it was my cousins tank before and his oscars have always gotten along well with other fish as long as they are fed welll.
You can I've got a overcrowded 125 gallon tank and it works, keep the water clean and the parameters right feed some decent fish food, feed them regularly very important to keep down aggression,have things to hide behind, occasionally something's going to happen just about any fish tank aggressive fishes non-aggressive fish eventually they're going to be skirmishes And an occasional casualty the anytime you run an aggressive tank even with the same type of cichlids in it you're going to have the same issue It can be done Don't be afraid to experiment 💪
I've got a planted tank with mostly South/Central American fish in it as well as 3 supporting tanks for those, but finding so many African Cichlids I want. Would love to do this, but for now, both for the aggression and sake of the plants, I'll have to save up for another tank.
Another great video thank you. Me personally, I just started my fish tank, my daughter gave me a 10 gallon aquarium for Christmas this year 2021. Quickly upgraded to a 36 gallon bowfront aquarium, so now I have two fish tanks. I set up the 36 gallon bowfront and I have two blood parrots, to convict cichlids and two tiger Oscars. They are all juvenile at this point, they all seem to get along well except for one of the Oscars is chasing everyone around. I think it’ll be fine no one seems to be abused. But then one day I had the bright idea of adding a Texas Cichlid to the group, this Texas cichlid is very aggressive! He looks to be about 3 inches long, so I had to put him in the 10 gallon tank on his own for now. I’m not quite sure what to do. I’m thinking I’m going to rehome him to a friend. The Texas Cichlid I tried to add to the community is very aggressive. Any suggestions?
I have done it many times, it depends on each species for the most part. I have 8 north american pumpkin seed sunfish, a large green terror 12 yellow labs and 2 6" koi in my 125 gallon. there is no aggression
Stopped in to petsmart to pick up maintenance liquids for the tank. I walk over and saw they had some E. Blue Jonnis and Blue Kenyis and bought a pair of each. What i didn't realize was my tank was S.A. but the new ones were African. No issues as of yet. They all seem to be getting along pretty well.
Cichilds in general are tricky fish for a beginner to this hobby. You have spent a lot of time researching your fish in terms of aggression. You made a very important suggestion ' Always have a backup' to move fish around or give it to a person who keeps cichilds for long time. Definitely food plays a important role in cichilds health. Very useful tips in this video.👍🏻
Very nice video! I used to have african cichlids, both mbuna and peacocks in the same tank and never had any aggression beyond normal levels. A video of mixing africans could be cool if you have the time. I don't have those fish anymore. I ended up rehoming them and getting a Jack Dempsey. Are there any tankmates you would recommend for a Jack Dempsey? He is about 4" right now and has an entire 75 to himself. Or should I just keep him alone? Thank you
I have two very young Oscars in a quarantine with African Peacocks...for the time being, the two are in a breeder net because I don't want them hurt (too big of a size difference ATM,) but I really hope to be able to keep them in my 150g with the peacocks when they've grown a little. I'll be keeping a super-close eye on them until I know how that's going to work. One of the Oscars is pretty spunky, so I'm pretty sure at least that one will be okay, but we'll see what happens.
Excellent video, I had a weird tank . I bought a Carpo knife on impulse 2.5 years ago. I grew him for a month in a community tank. Then he got his own 25 gal, after guppies were disappearing. A year later, my neighbour helped set up a bigger tank for my Carpo knife. However, he took the opportunity to unexpectedly unload, 11 convicts, a blue jewel, 2 Mbunda, and 2 strawberry ? fish, he didn’t want! It’s almost 2 years later and I still have this weird collection of fish. I do have plenty of rocks and wood in the tank. The first month I lost 2 M convicts. The rest don’t squabble. Sad thing I’d like to rehome , half of my convicts, however, 3 hrs from a major city and no takers. I’d like to get a couple jewels, My knife only comes out at dusk til dawn, He sleeps in a large ornament. He’s 13” Another odd ball tank, has guppies, platy, 3 koi angels, 5” albino shark, 4 convicts, started as fry. I was hoping my marble crayfish would catch the convict fry. Instead they’re 3”, 4 cories. All are thriving, I’m getting overrun with crayfish. Sadly they eat plants except for Jungle Val. So I started by inheriting bigger fish, no one wanted. It’s been very interesting! I find if I keep my temperature 72, I don’t have any issues with aggression or breeding. Soon as temps are 80 or near, the fish get territorial!
Great video. I’m gonna try putting a huge group of juvie electric yellows in with my mixed American cichlid/odd ball tank. Vary the diet around also. Tank is big enough and will do a mega rescape.
That tank looks amazing! If you want to really drive the internet fish gurus crazy throw a Longear, Pumpkinseed, or Green or other type of Sunfish from North America in there! The North American Native fish community would be very upset, but lots of people online seem to keep sunfish with various south/central american cichlids. Why not Africans too?
I have about 20 multi shell dwellers. I want to move them into a 125g with geophagus tapajos. The Geo's will be small about 1". My idea is to place snail shells only in 1/3 of the tank for the shell dwellers. Leaving the rest of the 4' shelless. Advice?
I’ve had the claw frog and dwarf bristle nose along with the Australian rainbow fish for the longest in this tank.. 3 rainbow fish(different types);2 giant danios;claw frog;vc 10 hap;Convict;jewel cichlid;Texas cichlid;juvenile perch. Texas cichlid and Australian rainbow fish are the tank bosses. Claw frog is a neutral menace. Super chill Texas cichlid, about going on 3years. Convict was the boss, Tex took that title and Occasionally makes the convict hide in its rock territory. I have three limestone territories in the tank. The fish all get along pretty well. Vc 10 is very chill, jewel is pretty chill and female.
I have a pike cichlid an Oscar and some African cichlids with a really big electric blue acara and all of them are doing amazing there has never been any aggression, the only thing is the pike cichlid has pretend chase some of the fish but only for like a second or two not like a chase around the tank thinking I might sell off the pike in the future. Oh also I do have a 5 inch bala shark in growing out with them as well
Great video. Agree completely with everything you've said. I've had mild tempered red devils that I've mixed with other fish then one day I got one that was in complete terrorize and kill mode. Needless to say had to get rid of it. Individual personality plays a huge role in compatibility
I actually mixed Paratilapia Polleni(male) with a Dempsey(female) and a firemouth(male); all still juveniles. Polleni protects the Dempsey, he loves her! It's cute to see.. The other day I actually noticed Polleni brought over food and threw it down for the Dempsey, watching her eat it! I've never seen fish do that!!! Usually fish just munch it like they are never fed... Once I've upgraded from my 75 to a 135 in a couple of weeks/months, I'll add the Argentea female and hopefully, that'll go well too. And from there on I'll see if I can mix more less aggressive cichlids, maybe a severum or salvini of some sort. Mostly americans with a madagascar mix, so, nothing drastic and indeed, always have a backup plan! haha
my tank has, 3x silver dollars, 2x big pleco, 2x blue moori, 2x yellow labs, 2x firemouths, had them about two years now, all seem to get along, mr prime time aquatics or anyone, what do you think to my set up, they all in a 240 litre tanks, lots filteration, all good after two years
![5 BIG Differences [South & Central American Cichlids vs. African Cichlids] - Some SURPRISED Me!](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/hOitGw_R8NA/mqdefault.jpg)
Want to learn more about Oscars? Check out this species profile: ruclips.net/video/iMGeND3zETk/видео.html
How to feed your fish: ruclips.net/video/18zLyt4h-A8/видео.html
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Edd the oscar fish and friends. I have a 16-17 tiger oscar in a 150 gal. The celebrity edd the oscar
I am a new fish keeper and I would like to know if you can keep a red empress and another African with a jack Dempsey and a convict? I dont want to go out and buy them and put them in the tank with the other 2 if they are not good tank mates. My tank is a 120 and I only want to have the 4 fish in my tank.
Hey Jason, I've been getting a bunch of grief about my Blood Parrot being in my African Cichlid tank. So much that I decided to make a video explaining how he even ended up in there. While researching I came across your vid and it was spot on! You have an awesome mix of some monsters in this tank...
I was so happy to see it I sent you a shout out and linked to your video from mine. Thanks for helping me feel better about my African/American mix 😊
Glad it's working out for you. Obviously, it doesn't always work out and I usually don't purposely set up a tank to mix them, but sometimes it just works out that way. :-)
Would love to try African cichlids with my parrot red fish to free up some tank space.Scared I’ll lose my parrot fish it was a girl in a mile from quarter size to lemon size Loved your input thank you
@@Maggie19701 the parrot will not ge gurt. Parrot ar never afraid of other fish
I'm glad I'm not the only one talking to my fish...
phreakerby thespeaker
Of course 😅
I talk to my ghost knife shark
He’s called Sir Graham 🐟🤩👍
Right!?! My husband is always , "really??" And rolls eyes..🤣
I have always kept these fish together. I currently have a 200 gal with more than 100 large cichlids, Madagasgar, South American, Rift lake, Central American, and more. With this level of mix there is no aggression.
Hey! Just stumbled upon your channel a few weeks ago - I started binge watching. : -) Keep up the great work!
Father fish is alive and well! Love your videos as well, Father fish!
@@zsworld6609 Thank you Ryan.
Naming all your fish totally rules. I have a 12" Oscar named Pipewrench that lives with a 1" Neon Tetra named Moncrief who joyfully swims in & out of Pipewrench's mouth w/o being eaten because they are old homies...
How's the tetra now ? 😂
@@hruss4954 crickets?
I have both African, South American (Green Terror) and a Huge Gold fish who was a feeder but survived to an adult life. The Gold fish is the most aggressive. LOL
mean gold fish. that being said, it was going to become food, so I can't blame it
I also have a green terror with African and its calm the now but the 1st month or so it was gloves off.
Thats crazy because I have a "7" pleco thats a killer he eats the most feeders he killed my two oscars they were "3"tho he chases my convicts and african cichlids and fights the red devil time to time
I have a similar situation with one of my tanks ....the goldfish (who was a feeder)chase the other fish around which are African chichlids.
@@elare1342 remove the pleco
Totally agree I have mixed cichlids tanks in the past. No issues.
OMG, So Glad to see those Oscars with Africans! I was led to believe it couldnt be done as well...This is the kind of mix I always wanted!!
It can work, but you really have to know the fish's personality. I have also found the Oscar needs to be much larger than the Africans.
Prime Time Aquatics Noted! 👍
I have mixed goldfish and tropical fish with great success. We keep our house temp in the 70s, and so are my unheated tanks. Sometimes you have to try new things and see for yourself!
I really appreciate how well you explained this. It was very helpful. It covered everything while the information online is generally mixed or biased which is unhelpful. I have noticed that the personality of the fish plays a very big factor when mixing cichlids. Great video. Thank you.
Thank you!
Sooooo informative
Thank you so much
Your my absolute go to channel ❤️
Sending best wishes from Australia 🇦🇺🐠
Appreciate you being here!
You are definitely one of the best aquarium hobby RUclipsrs out there....
Appreciate you being here!
I have and currently doing it now. And truly am enjoying the variety of colors and personalities that I have in my 65 gallon.
It is all about knowing the Fish, that is how to understand what Fish you can have with What Fish.
But always do research First, never rush in without doing so and avoid buying on impulse.
I have a mix of African and American Cichlids and I have no problems or disasters with the Mixed Species.
Great video.
Your channel has grown a lot from the day I started watching it, keep up the good work, and congratulations.
Much love and support.
Have a great week Sir.
Thanks for sharing!
@@PrimeTimeAquatics My pleasure Sir.
I've had no problems with keeping both in the same tank. I have 3 severums, a black belt, green terror, two larger veil-tail oscars, a small jaguar, two small jack dempsey and a red Texas in a 90 gal mixed with some peacocks. I have several smaller peacocks in a 29gal, and 19 firemouths in another tank. In addition to the cichlids in the 90 there's also a synodondis velifer, pictus, saddled bichir, ropefish, bala shark, 12" red tail and a 14" Arowana. Picking up a 220 gal next week and will still likely mix some Africans in with the Americans. Great video/topic!😁🐟🐟
I have a 75 gallon with frontosa and angels, you nailed it
Btw the frontosa are only 4-5 inches
I have a 150 gallon with a dozen Malawi Peacock/Haps that was established for a year, added two Jack Dempseys and so far so good, the Jack Dempseys chase each other maybe once a week but other than that everyone is thriving. Great video sir!
Glad it is working out!
Another smashing video great topic great outlook!!!!!
Oh and Ive mixed plants (valis) , anemones (beadlet) s american severums , orange chromids and salwater damsel
Thank you!
I always found inter-continental tanks cool
Me too
This video was so needed. Excellent points. Possible, yes. Ideal, no. Research always. Thank you.
Thanks for watching!
OMG, the fish cops have been alerted and are on their way to your fish room🤣😂🤣 Hey, If it works, the fish are healthy, why not?
Dang it - hide all the mixed tanks - quick!
That's my man!!! Do the work but also talk about your experience tell others that love what we do and keep the research going
Hilarious.
I had 3 mono's, 2 geophagus jurupari, 1 silver tip shark cat, 1 blue eyed panaque, 1 Candy striped pleco, 1 pike cichlid, 1 flathead Goby (glossogobius Girius), 1 silver dollar (rescued), 1 tire track eel in the same aquarium for year's.
There were other's that came and went, but those mentioned were there from the beginning of that particular aquarium set up.
Great explanation on why that tank works. It really helps to know the personality of your fish and the the general aggressiveness levels of a species in general. For example, you would never mix any Parachromis with a gold ocellatus-the Parachromis would get beat upon and die of stress overload.
As long as they are not killing each other do what makes you happy. It’s your tank and your hobby. Just came home with another long fin super red bushy nose,that fits in with what I am trying for/to breed, very dark and great fins. Thanks for the great video Professor fish.
I kept African and South American cichlids together for a long time without any problems. I think it worked out because I got them all when they were little and they grew up together. The only time I had a problem was when my Jack Dempseys wanted to breed. They got their own tank and everything went back to normal.
I have a black moor that won't eat unless the fair gold fish I named OG are in the same tank together. They are homies
Beautiful! I don't have large tanks but I just moved my daughters 2 year old $40 candy betta from her 6 gallon Fluval Edge into my rimless 20 gallon long with my small school of blue tetras. I was so excited because everyone was getting along with zero issues and while I was in the process of cutting acrylic pieces for a lid to fit around the spiderwood, he jumped out and passed away. I feel terrible about it. He was a sweet boy.
I'm sorry to hear that. I've had fish jump before when cleaning tanks.
I keep a pair of blood parrot cichlids in my peacock tank. Certainly not an all African tank but one that stands out for the vibrant colors and the intense personalities of the blood parrots. I personally love it. I also keep a large green phantom pleco as well. Not to long ago my jeweled cichlids paired off and started trying to kill each other. Two were killed overnight before I knew what was happening. The other surviving male was placed with the peacocks and they even for the most part (outside of minor chases) co habitate fine as well. In fact that jeweled is so colored up it almost glows in the dark. Thank you for all your wonderful work.
I've done it off and on for almost 20 years. Even with the fish you said you wouldn't keep together. It really is all about the individual fish. Something I found also lowers aggression is slightly lowering the tank temperature and frequently changing the scape.
One of the best reasons I’ve heard for being careful about mixing aggressive fish from different regions and/or families: differences in agonistic behavior, ie body language. It might be harder to understand threatening postures if you didn’t evolve together. Not as much of an issue with fish that are not very aggressive to begin with, but when you’re counting on intimidation to avoid fights, and the other fish isn’t backing down because it just doesn’t understand, you could have injurious fights breaking out. Something to think about.
Kinda like putting me and my wife in the same hot tub.....we get along just fine.😝
I have Africans mixed with south American, it's working so far! I did it by accident
Awesome video! I put a short video of mine on my chanel check it out. Thanks for the great video!
We need a tattoo tour!
I’ve got 2 12-13” Oscar’s, an 8” oscar, and a mix of about 15 South American and African cichlids 2-4” in the same tank and it works for me. They’ve been thriving for years.
I have jack dempsey, green terror pair, pair firemouth, julie, blood dragon, 5 mbunas, fairies and everything is okay for 1 year till now. But i've tied before and other fish like.. Demasoni and electeic acara. It didnt go well. But the most important is to see their personality🙂
Once again a very educational helpful video 🤓
Thank you!
It's 10 months after the video was done but it's the right time for me. I'm back to the hobie and I'm discovering lots of fish that I didn't know years ago and I wonder if it's possible to keep them on the same fishtank, the main concern are the water parameters but now I confirm what I was thinking, all the fish from a store were growth in same kind of water...
Thanks for the video 👍👍👍
Hey Jason, Besides the aggression thing what about the PH thing? Dont Africans and Oscars require different PH's? Correct me if Im wrong please.
Never mind, you just answered me LOL But what do you use to keep your PH stable in the 8.0 range...Buffers, crushed coral, aragonite??
I don't need anything because my pH out of the tap is an 8.2.
Prime Time Aquatics Ahh, the luck of the Tap...nice.
I love that tank jason there is so much "controversy" in this hobby but I have gone against the mainstream on several tanks and it has worked for me so far...if you dont try it you will never know lol great video bro 👍👍
I hear you man!
Same! I swear some of these “fish experts” just make up things up sometimes lol
I have a mixed tank with oscars africans flowerhorn. And everything is great
I just started adding fish to my 700 gallon tank and I have African with an Oscar. I may get 2 or 3 more Oscars. I will let you know how it goes. It’s very nice to see that they can work,some of the time. Thanks 😃
Jason you talk to the Fish like I talk to my golden retriever loving it .We mixed convicts with may African Cichlids .By far the most aggressive to the tank was the convicts remove female help And leaving only three males convict work great
Great video! Really solid advice. :)
Thankfully i found this channel...
Subscribed👍
Appreciate you being here!
yeah, i have mixed them at times. ... african cichids make decent mates for red devils/midas if they are the right mix. ... but usually just worked out that way because of having to move fish around because of aggression etc. .. good video. very true stuff.
I have been able to do the same.
Great video with sensible advice, thanks!
I have an oscar in a giant planted community aquarium alongside a large school of ember tetras. I also have a group of about 6 celestial pearl danios. As far as I can tell the Oscar never attacks the smaller fish. He ignores them. I tried adding a new oscar and it was hunting my tetras and was tearing up my plants. I had to take that one back to the store.
It's totally down to temperament of the oscar. My oscar has been coexisting in a tank with plants and nano fish for 6 years now.
A very long time ago I had the same thing happen with a convict and a Jack Dempsey - there were very small fish in the tank and they never touched them.
100% how I talk to my fish too 😀. I don't keep Chiclids but I Loved this video, explaing how and why with ups and downs helps with learning so much! Plus, I could stare at that tank forever. Great Job Jason!
When I first got into tropical fish. I mixed them not knowing any better. They still live together 7 years later
I think a lot of people do that because they're not cichlid-shamed into the biotope mentality yet. When it works they feel like they did something horrible, not remembering - wait I didn't actually have any issues. : -)
It is interesting what you said about fish personalities and how they can change overnight. I bought 7 Eliotti's Cichlids with a view to breeding, Even though they were only half grown the dominant male selected his female of choice and chased everybody else around the tank relentlessly. I had to remove the other 5. He and his chosen lady formed a really strong bond and they spawned regularly for several months. As soon as I removed one batch of fry they would spawn again within a couple of days and he was a very attentive father. There were no other fish in the tank and after a few months and without any warning he turned on his partner and tried to kill her, it didn't matter where she tried to hide he was actively hunting her. I had to get her out of the tank immediately or he would have killed her.
Funny how fish can do that!
Love the mix! - In my case I have an Oscar tank w/ low Ph and soft water and an Mbuna tank with Hi Ph and hard water - But I love what you did - keep the videos coming1
I have Bala Sharks with Firemouth cichlids, Odessa Barbs, Jack Dempseys, pineapple Swordtails, and red Zebras and have no problems! They are actually great tank mates in my tank
I could totally see that mix working. Cool!
My Oscars killed every new fish in my 125g tank..
i tried 2 peacocks and two yellows, half the size of the oscars.
I made sure i fed them plenty before, but by the next day the malawis were killed.
Even plecos had no chance.
The only fish they left alone were the bichirs and ropefish.
I have some very timid madagascar polleni in with angels. As a whole, no, i would not combine these fish together, but they have done very well.
I have a 75g cichlid tank, been running with the same 5 fish for about 2 years now. 3 Mbuna, 1 Venustus (hap), and 1 Jack Dempsey (south American). They all seem to coexist w/o issue. The Jack Demspey keeps to itself and I have never seen any of the others mess with it or vice versa. Just need to get 4-6 more malawi cichlids to fill the tank out.
Yes I have a mix mbunas oscar and peacock and they are all doing great
Hi.. Do you still keep mbuna with oscar? Still doing great ??
@@yanickvalaydon9155 yes they are still looking healthy thanks for asking
I have the same mix with a Jack Dempsey on top of them all. still small hope they continue to be peaceful!
@@jakethomas1700 i just found a baby cichlid hiding by the rocks about an inch size. I am very happy about that. That's the second baby so far.😊
Dollysvlog2780 are they still doing great to this date ?! And what size tank if i may ask?
I have a mixed 55 with some limestone and hornwort and even had some red zebra cichlid breeding! So all is going well so far it’s been like 5 months
My current favorite tank I keep is peacocks, yellow labs, Bolivian rams, 1 apisto. Rest of the tank is 6 panda garras, 1 triband sumo loach and 2 SAE. Been running for awhile now with no issues. Fingers crossed.
I've seen beautiful Frontosa-Angelfish Tanks. Its crazy because not only do both the Angelfish and Frontosas look very good and well cared for but the groups seem to intermingle with each other no aggression other than the occasional aggression within themselves. Besides, a lot of normal community tanks have weird fish mixes already with Tetras, Livebearers, rainbowfish, etc.
Jason knew because he is the fish whisper haha. Love your videos guys I watch everyday
Thank you! 😀
I have watch many youtube videos getting all the info I can possible get! Wanted you to know, yours are my favorite . Thank you . Malawi peacock and a couple hap tank
Thank you so much! Appreciate you watching.
depends on fish i guess i have medium size yellow lab and bumblebee in with couple platys mollies tiger barbs and small redtail other than a little chasing no problems
The only reason I can think of why you would mix any fish is firstly water chemistry second the fish nature and third environment fish may survive but would it be a good stress free live hmmm great video and food for thought p.s. great tank sir
Right now I have a mix of African cichlids, a giant kissing gourami, flowerhorn and a jack dempsy. It’s working out really well and they get along just fine.
I'm thankful I'm not the only one here who thinks its all based on the temperament of your fish I have a peacock an Oscar and a featherfin in my 125 together my featherfin has been with me for years outliving my other fish and I got a peacock 1 year ago and realized it doesn't show any aggression at all it swims along side the featherfin and sleeps in the same cave as it every day and I decided to add an Oscar and they all just don't mess with eachother at all
I hate the idea of mixing old world and new world Cichlids. However I can understand that it can possibly work.
You are so spot on with the water parameters also the big breeders Don't either. I was writing about the parameters in this comment when you started talking about it lol.
For me I'd never mix them because of my personal taste in trying to make the tank look like the natural environment.
I've had a similar experience with an American cichlid tank I briefly used as a hospital tank for Africans. I had a mix of oscars, rainbow fish, angel fish, peacocks all got on just fine. Added a beaten up 3 inch yellow lab which was by far the smallest fish in the tank...he became the tank boss within 48 hours and had all the big fish in the corners. He only left the rainbows alone as they are so active.
A lab?
Kev from caveman aquatics sent me. Love the content 👌
Glad you are here!
💕🌱🐟🐌. Loved the vid! I do not have any African cichlids (unless u found my Angels). I really enjoyed how you especially referred to your fish by name and personality. The story of how you got the tilapia reminds of how much I want to adopt “unwanted” fish... lol
I think they may be only two of three fish that I have named right now in the fish room. : -)
I have two tiger oscars who are really timid in a 100g with mbuna and a convict, green terror. No issues as it was my cousins tank before and his oscars have always gotten along well with other fish as long as they are fed welll.
Good vid. You are right on the nose with all your comments.
You can I've got a overcrowded 125 gallon tank and it works, keep the water clean and the parameters right feed some decent fish food, feed them regularly very important to keep down aggression,have things to hide behind, occasionally something's going to happen just about any fish tank aggressive fishes non-aggressive fish eventually they're going to be skirmishes And an occasional casualty the anytime you run an aggressive tank even with the same type of cichlids in it you're going to have the same issue It can be done Don't be afraid to experiment 💪
I've got a planted tank with mostly South/Central American fish in it as well as 3 supporting tanks for those, but finding so many African Cichlids I want. Would love to do this, but for now, both for the aggression and sake of the plants, I'll have to save up for another tank.
Thank you!!!! Sometimes you need to match personality n character!
Always solid info! Love the Red Oscar
Thank you!
Another great video thank you. Me personally, I just started my fish tank, my daughter gave me a 10 gallon aquarium for Christmas this year 2021. Quickly upgraded to a 36 gallon bowfront aquarium, so now I have two fish tanks. I set up the 36 gallon bowfront and I have two blood parrots, to convict cichlids and two tiger Oscars. They are all juvenile at this point, they all seem to get along well except for one of the Oscars is chasing everyone around. I think it’ll be fine no one seems to be abused. But then one day I had the bright idea of adding a Texas Cichlid to the group, this Texas cichlid is very aggressive! He looks to be about 3 inches long, so I had to put him in the 10 gallon tank on his own for now. I’m not quite sure what to do. I’m thinking I’m going to rehome him to a friend. The Texas Cichlid I tried to add to the community is very aggressive. Any suggestions?
That's probably what I would do as well. They are pretty aggressive fish.
I have always been a fan of your videos very informative.
Is the tank only run on Spong filters?
Thank you! That 125 has three sponge filters and one Marineland Pro 450 HOB filter.
I got Convicts with African cichlids and they are all like a big family.
Used to keep mbuna n convicts together
I have done it many times, it depends on each species for the most part. I have 8 north american pumpkin seed sunfish, a large green terror 12 yellow labs and 2 6" koi in my 125 gallon. there is no aggression
Stopped in to petsmart to pick up maintenance liquids for the tank. I walk over and saw they had some E. Blue Jonnis and Blue Kenyis and bought a pair of each. What i didn't realize was my tank was S.A. but the new ones were African. No issues as of yet. They all seem to be getting along pretty well.
Update?
@@joshweaver4729 Lost a few along the way...Jonnis are a-holes most aggro fish I have
Cichilds in general are tricky fish for a beginner to this hobby. You have spent a lot of time researching your fish in terms of aggression. You made a very important suggestion ' Always have a backup' to move fish around or give it to a person who keeps cichilds for long time. Definitely food plays a important role in cichilds health. Very useful tips in this video.👍🏻
Thanks for watching!
Very nice video! I used to have african cichlids, both mbuna and peacocks in the same tank and never had any aggression beyond normal levels. A video of mixing africans could be cool if you have the time. I don't have those fish anymore. I ended up rehoming them and getting a Jack Dempsey. Are there any tankmates you would recommend for a Jack Dempsey? He is about 4" right now and has an entire 75 to himself. Or should I just keep him alone? Thank you
You'd probably want something that stays under 6", but can stand up to the JD. Jewel Cichlids, Fire Mouths, etc.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics thank you for the reply
Personally of the fish is exactly right! Well put.
I do and have for years...Buttikoferis...Texas cichlids....blue and yellow african...plus a pacu...300gal....
I would love to have an Oscar with a frontosa but they are two such beautiful fish I would hate to have an incident happen in there!
Ya, you never can guarantee that will work. Both are great fish. :-)
6:50 Wich fish is that big blue with yellow fin
That is Pseudotropheus acei. Great fish!
@@PrimeTimeAquatics thnx man
They're all bred on the same Florida fish farm, same water, same feed, regardless of where their ancestors are from....
lol seriously right.
Now I found someone that have done the research like me
I have two very young Oscars in a quarantine with African Peacocks...for the time being, the two are in a breeder net because I don't want them hurt (too big of a size difference ATM,) but I really hope to be able to keep them in my 150g with the peacocks when they've grown a little. I'll be keeping a super-close eye on them until I know how that's going to work. One of the Oscars is pretty spunky, so I'm pretty sure at least that one will be okay, but we'll see what happens.
I have south american and African and it works out, I have a peacock bass, parrot fish, Jack dempsey and a green terror
Excellent video, I had a weird tank . I bought a Carpo knife on impulse 2.5 years ago. I grew him for a month in a community tank. Then he got his own 25 gal, after guppies were disappearing. A year later, my neighbour helped set up a bigger tank for my Carpo knife. However, he took the opportunity to unexpectedly unload, 11 convicts, a blue jewel, 2 Mbunda, and 2 strawberry ? fish, he didn’t want! It’s almost 2 years later and I still have this weird collection of fish. I do have plenty of rocks and wood in the tank. The first month I lost 2 M convicts. The rest don’t squabble. Sad thing I’d like to rehome , half of my convicts, however, 3 hrs from a major city and no takers. I’d like to get a couple jewels, My knife only comes out at dusk til dawn, He sleeps in a large ornament. He’s 13”
Another odd ball tank, has guppies, platy, 3 koi angels, 5” albino shark, 4 convicts, started as fry. I was hoping my marble crayfish would catch the convict fry. Instead they’re 3”, 4 cories. All are thriving, I’m getting overrun with crayfish. Sadly they eat plants except for Jungle Val. So I started by inheriting bigger fish, no one wanted. It’s been very interesting! I find if I keep my temperature 72, I don’t have any issues with aggression or breeding. Soon as temps are 80 or near, the fish get territorial!
Great video. I’m gonna try putting a huge group of juvie electric yellows in with my mixed American cichlid/odd ball tank.
Vary the diet around also. Tank is big enough and will do a mega rescape.
That tank looks amazing! If you want to really drive the internet fish gurus crazy throw a Longear, Pumpkinseed, or Green or other type of Sunfish from North America in there! The North American Native fish community would be very upset, but lots of people online seem to keep sunfish with various south/central american cichlids. Why not Africans too?
I have about 20 multi shell dwellers. I want to move them into a 125g with geophagus tapajos. The Geo's will be small about 1". My idea is to place snail shells only in 1/3 of the tank for the shell dwellers. Leaving the rest of the 4' shelless. Advice?
I probably wouldn’t. Long term they will fight as the shell dwellers move shells where they want them.
I’ve had the claw frog and dwarf bristle nose along with the Australian rainbow fish for the longest in this tank.. 3 rainbow fish(different types);2 giant danios;claw frog;vc 10 hap;Convict;jewel cichlid;Texas cichlid;juvenile perch. Texas cichlid and Australian rainbow fish are the tank bosses. Claw frog is a neutral menace. Super chill Texas cichlid, about going on 3years. Convict was the boss, Tex took that title and Occasionally makes the convict hide in its rock territory. I have three limestone territories in the tank. The fish all get along pretty well. Vc 10 is very chill, jewel is pretty chill and female.
I have a pike cichlid an Oscar and some African cichlids with a really big electric blue acara and all of them are doing amazing there has never been any aggression, the only thing is the pike cichlid has pretend chase some of the fish but only for like a second or two not like a chase around the tank thinking I might sell off the pike in the future. Oh also I do have a 5 inch bala shark in growing out with them as well
Great video. Agree completely with everything you've said. I've had mild tempered red devils that I've mixed with other fish then one day I got one that was in complete terrorize and kill mode. Needless to say had to get rid of it. Individual personality plays a huge role in compatibility
Thanks for sharing!
I really LOVE that tilapia... VERY majestic... :)
Thank you!
Ive had peas haps oscars jacks RD JD and 20 mbuna they did fine I just dont do blood worms
I have redhead tapajos and frontozas in a 50 gallon tank for months now. So far haven’t seen any aggression between them
I have a geophagus and frontosa in a 150 gallon without any issues too.
Spot on video love it!😁
I actually mixed Paratilapia Polleni(male) with a Dempsey(female) and a firemouth(male); all still juveniles.
Polleni protects the Dempsey, he loves her! It's cute to see.. The other day I actually noticed Polleni brought over food and threw it down for the Dempsey, watching her eat it! I've never seen fish do that!!! Usually fish just munch it like they are never fed...
Once I've upgraded from my 75 to a 135 in a couple of weeks/months, I'll add the Argentea female and hopefully, that'll go well too. And from there on I'll see if I can mix more less aggressive cichlids, maybe a severum or salvini of some sort.
Mostly americans with a madagascar mix, so, nothing drastic and indeed, always have a backup plan! haha
my tank has, 3x silver dollars, 2x big pleco, 2x blue moori, 2x yellow labs, 2x firemouths, had them about two years now, all seem to get along, mr prime time aquatics or anyone, what do you think to my set up, they all in a 240 litre tanks, lots filteration, all good after two years
If it has worked that long I doubt you will have any issues in the future. :-)