cichlid problem

[Seawiych]

I have 5 -2 to 3'' african cichlids.I'm wanting a big fish also that is compatable with african cichlids.I have a 60 gallon.when I say big I'm thinking the size of a Jack Dempsy or it could be smaller.I would love to have a shark of some kind.Any suggestions?

[Goodbye]

What kind of african cichlids do you have? Knowing the type of african cichlids you have will help others know what you could get that would be compatable with your current fish. I wouldn't add any sharks. To my knowlegde, all freshwater sharks require different conditions then those of african cichlids.

[Seawiych]

I have Peacocks & electric blues africans.

[Lab_Rat]

Look into getting a synodontis. They're compatible with the rift lake cichlids, much more so than a Jack Dempsey.

[Goodbye]

I agree with Lab Rat. Synos would definently work with african cichlids. I wouldn't go with Jack Dempseys or any SA/CA cichlids. They prefer soft, acidic to neutral (ph of around 6.5 - 7.4) water while african cichlids prefer hard and alkaline water.

A school of 4 or 5 Synodontis petricola would work well with your peacocks and electric blues. :)

[Crispy]

A malawi eye biter comes to mind. A bit larger than your typical africans and a very different shape then the similarly shaped malawi cichlids. Very cool fish IME.

[Lab_Rat]

A malawi eye biter comes to mind. A bit larger than your typical africans and a very different shape then the similarly shaped malawi cichlids. Very cool fish IME.

Crispy, the Eye Biters get way too big for a 60g tank. They're gonna hit about 11" so I don't think it would be a good fit for the tank.

[Goodbye]

Crispy, the Eye Biters get way too big for a 60g tank. They're gonna hit about 11" so I don't think it would be a good fit for the tank.

I didn't know they get that big. Both the books I have say that Eye-Biters reach 9". But a 60g is still a bit small for a 9" fish IMO.

[Lab_Rat]

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1062

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fish/malawieyebiter.php

http://www.cichlidae.com/article.php?id=147

It's a big fish, too big imo for a 60g.

[Seawiych]

Thanks for the advice everyone.I do already have 1 featherfin catfish.I'm going to check out the Malawi eyebiter just to double check on the size.

[kaybee]

...It's a big fish, too big imo for a 60g.

Definately.

This photo was taken in June 2008 and this male d. comp (which resides in my 180gal) has packed on another 1" to 1.5" since then (up to about 10"-10.5" in Sep 2009):

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a259/y2kenny19/African%20Cichlids%202008/dcompmeasurejun08.jpg

Late entry: (I found a pic of him I took last month, he dwarfs the c. moorii's which are in the 5"-6.5" size range in the background)
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a259/y2kenny19/African%20Cichlids%202009/eyebit_2009.jpg

[Seawiych]

thank you Kaybee for the pictures.The Malawi Eyebiter is one,big beautiful fish.I wish I could afford a tank that size.I've decided to take back my africans & get a Jack Dempsey.I really want a bigger fish,but one that will fit my 60g.I have a 55g. livebearer,planted tank,but lately I've been drooling over having a bigger fish so I got a 60g. & just recently got the africans.It's a good thing that the Peacocks & Electric blues are not in their full color yet,so I don't miss them too much when I trade them in for a J.D.:fish2: