Do ANY "cleaner fish" go with Cichlids?

[NoahsMommy]

This is my 15-gallon Eclipse:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5db03b3127cce91ef7073de0300000016109BYt2Llq2I

This is my lone fish, CeCelia:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5db03b3127cce91ef7047de3700000016109BYt2Llq2I

Why is "poor" CeCelia all alone? Because she keeps EATING or ATTACKING any Cichlid we put in there with her!!

I NEED some sort of cleaning fish for the bottom, but I don't want to be cruel and have it get eaten. Any ideas on what she'd leave alone??

[IRescue452]

Maybe a snail in a shell would work best.

[Lexi_Lover]

The snail migth work. But if you get too many, they will multiply, like REALLY FAST! So, be careful. I'm not to sure what you could, but CeCelia is a beautiful cichlid!

[ILoveReptiles]

If CeCeilia is that aggressive, there are very few other fish you can put in with her. I used to have 2 oscars - and I had a Geophagus acuticeps in with them - the pet shop called him a "Gravel Eater"... He nosed around the bottom of the tank, picking up the gravel in his mouth, rolling it around for food bits, and spitting it back out

If you do get one - be sure to get one that is about the same size or larger than CeCelia.

Here's a link to check out the fish itself.

Geophagus acuticeps (http://thatfishshop.com/findex/fish/geophagus_acuticeps.htm)

[chrissycat21]

An apple snail might work. They do make the water really dirty, though.

[lv4dogs]

Maybe even a Pleco would work as long as you get one that is bigger than CeCelia.
I'd ask a reputable pet store that specializes in fish.

[chrissycat21]

Originally posted by lv4dogs
Maybe even a Pleco would work as long as you get one that is bigger than CeCelia.
I'd ask a reputable pet store that specializes in fish.

I wouldn't get a common pleco, just because they can grow up to 2'. :eek: 15 Gallons isn't enough for one. :)

[lv4dogs]

Originally posted by chrissycat21
I wouldn't get a common pleco, just because they can grow up to 2'. :eek: 15 Gallons isn't enough for one. :)

Duh I don't know why I was not thinking of the size of the tank.
BUT I know of a few pet stores (all reputable) will let you trade in your plecos when they get too big for your tank. I know my favorite pet store does, thats why I got 2 plecos now. lol
AND I also know of a lot of plecos that are very very old & are not that big. I've heard that plecos can be kind of like gold fish that they will grow to their size of tank. I'm not sure how true it is but I have witnessed it so I believe it, to a degree anyways. The plecos I have seen did stop growing and do still fit in the tank easily & comfortably but I think they would be even more comfortable in a bigger tank, but I also believe that for any fish or animal. Get them the biggest environment possible.

[flamepony12]

How about a dwarf albino bushynose pleco? They only grow to about 4 inches.

[chrissycat21]

Originally posted by lv4dogs

AND I also know of a lot of plecos that are very very old & are not that big. I've heard that plecos can be kind of like gold fish that they will grow to their size of tank. I'm not sure how true it is but I have witnessed it so I believe it, to a degree anyways. The plecos I have seen did stop growing and do still fit in the tank easily & comfortably but I think they would be even more comfortable in a bigger tank, but I also believe that for any fish or animal. Get them the biggest environment possible.

Plecos, like gold fish, will grow to the size of their tank, but it is unhealthy. Although their body stops growing, their internal organs don't. Most of the time plecos (and goldfish) in that situation don't live as long as they should. :)

[Kfamr]

I don't have any suggestions that haven't already been said.

But, I was curious where did you get those flower decors for your tank? They're pretty!

CeCelia is gorgeous!

[Fox-Gal]

Honestly, you really can't get any "cleaner fish" to go in there right now. Your Cichlid attacks everything in there because there isn't enough hiding spaces in the tank for him, so he feels the need to protect every area of the tank as his.

Cichlids need spots that are just their's to feel safe, that's their nature. I have the same kind of cichlid, plus many other's types and the only way, they have ever gotten along is because our tanks are full of different area's for them to hide in. With that, I have been able to put in Clown Loch's, Cat fish, Parrot fish, Oscars and even Kissie fish with no problems. They have now been sharing a tank for several years, sense the build up of slate rock and other decorations. Every one picks a spot that's their's and only defends that.

I'd suggest you do a search on cichlids and maybe get some ideas on how they live and their natural habits, if you really want to add more fish to the tank. Right now as it is I believe your guy will attack anything you put in there, even a snail, would be pushed around.

[NoahsMommy]

Originally posted by Fox-Gal
Your Cichlid attacks everything in there because there isn't enough hiding spaces in the tank for him, so he feels the need to protect every area of the tank as his.
We've had all different types of tank decor and hiding spot in that tank and nothing has changed with her aggression. I've only had the current set up for a month.

Not sure that applies to this fish. :)

Thanks for the ideas, guys!

[NoahsMommy]

Originally posted by Kfamr
I don't have any suggestions that haven't already been said.

But, I was curious where did you get those flower decors for your tank? They're pretty!

CeCelia is gorgeous!
Thanks, Kay! :)

I got them at my local PetSmart. I'd never seen them before, but they fit my style nicely.

Actually, I've never seen CeCelia more active since I've had her. She LOVES digging and moving the flowers into the holes...she's such a fun fish!

[Fox-Gal]

Just wondering when you added other fish, was it just one fish?

If you ever think about going back to having more hiding spots and want to add fish, never add one, always add several. Putting 1 or even 2 in there is like saying here's a toy, focus on it and attack. You can never plop one fish in there and expect him, not to go after it right away, you have to keep him focused on something else.

Always add several at a time, stir up things in the tank (re-decorate or something) a bit, so your guy if fixed on the confusion and then expect one maybe two to die. After that, with a hidings you should be OK.

Our Cichlid breeder taught us this and sense then it's been the only way we add fish. We use to add one at and time and they aways ended up being attacked, by our guys. Now the smallest we ever add is 5 at a time, doing a little stiring up of the tank also and we are ok.

You got to be tricky, with Cichlids. :D

[PJ's Mom]

A lot of cichlids will eat anything that will fit in its mouth. Keeping that in mind, you'll have to get something as big or bigger than your fish or faster than your fish.

I think as far as a "cleaning" fish goes, you'd do great with a dwarf pleco. Just be sure it really is a dwarf or you'll be in trouble. I only say that because some pet stores have no clue about what they've got. :rolleyes: