Jewel Cichlid compatability

[halla86]

i just called into one of my local fish stores on the way home from work looking for some community cichlids for my tank. I currently have three Apistogramma cichlids in my tank and was thinking of adding another.
To cut a long story short he told me i could put a jewel cichlid into my community tank with neon tetras and guppies?? He said that if i pick a young cichlid that it will grow up with the other fish and not see them as a threat?
Correct me if im wrong but as beautiful as Jewel cichlids are i was always under the illusion that they arent compatable with community fish as they have a fierce temperment?

[rich311k]

I would not put a Jewel in to that tank. They can be down right ornery.

[Sharkman]

Yea I agree with Rich. The jewel cichlid will tear those fish to pieces.

[halla86]

thats what i thought too, they are spectacular to look at but i was always under the illusion that they could turn very nasty and predatory.
Wouldnt like to wake up one morning and find half a dozen dead fish because my jewel "snapped?" during the night..
ok that may sound a bit over the top but you know what i mean.

[kathymac]

I had three jewels in a 55 gal tank and had to take one of them out when the other two decided to breed. They are a beautiful fish, but mine were the most agressive fish I have ever had.

[Oscar_freak12321]

Jewels can be very nasty. Pretty, but nasty.

[Red]

Agreed, 99% of fish can't go with them, even when there not breeding.

[Shaysfishys]

Raised hemichromis bimaculatus (red jewels) for a while and they are just plain naughty potential murders when they are breeding, the only thing that has successfully worked for roommates has been the big chocolates that are vacationing and convicts other than that I don't trust them for the most part.
Did have a few in with some misc aggressive africans for a bit while putting up the wall of tanks but again very temporary living arrangements.