CichlidFish.com - Fish That Think.

I just would like to start by saying I didnt know I was mixing when I bought these fish. The pet store mislead me, about the buttikoferi.

I have a neon jack dempsey, red terror and a buttikoferi in a 155 gallon tank. I have had them for a couple weeks now and just learned that the Buttikoferi is an African cichlid. All the info I found says that the butti and the rest like the same PH. I was wondering if anyone thinks this mix is a problem?

So far they get along great (the are young, maybe 2") no fighting.

What do you think?

Africans do come from a much hard water than SA cichlids. Its generally not advised for ppl to mix the two types due to water conditions. However, chance's are your fish are not wild, so you should be able to find a GH/KH level that will be a bit high for the SA's and a a bit low for the Buttikoferi.
I am more curious how the fish will "get" along. At least you have a large tank. Even still I think there will be some aggression. Make sure you have lots of place's for the JD to dart into. The three are all very agressive, and that agression will start to show as they age. Its possible it will be decided at a young age, and they will not get into territorial issues as they sexually mature. Since I have not had any of three, either indivdually, or in any combination, I hope others who have pass on their experence.

Man, that's a tough crowd you've assembled! In this case don't worry too much about the African/American thing. The buttakoferi isn't from the high-pH rift lakes, so the optimal water conditions for your three fish aren't too far apart. Your problem as these guys grow is more likely to be whether they'll let one another live. Just on the face of it I'd say the JD is going to need some hiding places. Depending on the temperament of those individuals, you might be OK, assuming you're creative with the decor. On the other hand it could be total war once they hit maturity. Have a back-up plan. Good luck!

I appreciate the comments. I definitely understand where you are coming from though. I hope they live peaceful like they are now. The tank seems big enough even for 3 big fish. I guess only time will tell. Is it totally impossible to house 3 large cichlids in the same tank? Has anyone ever done this?

Yes I have, it is possible. Though I might have just gotten lucky.?
I had my 120 set-up with Oscars, P-bass, and Trimac's. Now mind you these fish were only together for about 8 months. The Oscars reached 6-7", the bass only got to about 6", the Trimac got to 10". I like to trade and sell fish so when these guys got big enough to sell...I sold. My experience might not be a solid one to base an opinion on. If you have ever seen my tanks you know I heavily decorate them, I agree 100% with the heavy cover suggested above.

Last, you should post a picture of your Butti, I would love to see it!!!

Well I hope they will get along, anyway here is a pic of the butti:

http://static.flickr.com/33/66404641_fb96a56594.jpg

Here is a picture of the tank, def not heavily decorated, but I did try to build out three little homes. The three caves were built on either side and the middle of the tank. My thinking is as they mature, they can each have their own little territories.

Am I fooling myself?

The only thing certain, is you have aggressive fish, how they will grow and mature, is like trying to predict the next lottery numbers. You can look at past draws, and maybe make a guess, but that is all.
To answer your question about having large cichlids in a tank, its not impossible. Just with yours, they are all highly aggressive, but, and its a big but, at least they are all singles, I would really hate to see what might happen if you had a pair of mating buttikoferi in there........

I think I also have size onmy side. I the smallest fish is the smallest, so that can also offset the agression.

I hate to be the one to tell you this, But that Butti.....is just a convict!!!:D J/K That's a nice little fish you have there. That is one fish I have yet to own, but I want one really bad. So if this doesn't work out for you....remember my name.

TUG!!!!;)

I have a neon jack dempsey, red terror and a buttikoferi in a 155 gallon tank.

Can't belive noone has mentioned it yet. But a neon (or electric blue) dempsey is one of the more fragile and timid cichlids you can own, honestly I don't see it lasting with the other two.

what!? Opps......I re read that first post......and in all honesty, I read JD, and not the neon JD. Brain fart on my part, just shows how easily someone (me) can miss a very important fact.

it also depends on if you have a female red terror. they can be mean. since african mature faster than they other two it could cause trouble in the beginning but i don't think it would do any damage. so you can try to add alot of hidding spaces. then try changing the seen often. i've had a red terror and in the same tank as my africans. my red terror wasn't big enough to hang with africans that were his size. when i tried mixing my green terror he had to hide out for 4 -5 days. i was scared for him. he had to prove himself to every fish in the tank. my powder bllue poped him hard in the nose everytime he came out to eat. it was scary. but my green terror got bigger and remember everything. he killed my powder blue. i never owned a butti

your butti will get much bigger than the average african. it is meaner than a powder. it is meaner than the jack. you may have a problem on your hand. your jack is a goner. your red may survive if its a female and if the butti doesn't kill it early

you should put some channel catfish in there

Originally posted by stilllearnin
Can't belive noone has mentioned it yet. But a neon (or electric blue) dempsey is one of the more fragile and timid cichlids you can own, honestly I don't see it lasting with the other two.

i have to agree there not as aggressive as the common jack dempsey.and i want a Buttikoferi