What are some great dither fish for large cichlids?

[Fanatic_Fish_Lunatic]

I don't plan to keep them with my cichlids for lifelong. My cichlids are around 2-5 inches. 5 inches being the biggest for now. So I wanna know what are some great dither fish choices.

 

[abominus]

I don't plan to keep them with my cichlids for lifelong. My cichlids are around 2-5 inches. 5 inches being the biggest for now. So I wanna know what are some great dither fish choices.

In my personal experience, silver dollars are the best dither fish. They're fast, schooling fish that are neither too big to manage nor too small to be eaten.
They can easily avoid large aggressive cichlids.

 

[Deadeye]

What kind of cichlids? A great dither for one is a meal for another.

Silver dollars are hit or miss. Generally, they are very skittish, so much to the point that they actually will make their tankmates more nervous as a result.
I really like Buenos Aires tetras as dithers. They get a good size and are really fast.

 

[Fanatic_Fish_Lunatic]

What kind of cichlids? A great dither for one is a meal for another.

Silver dollars are hit or miss. Generally, they are very skittish, so much to the point that they actually will make their tankmates more nervous as a result.
I really like Buenos Aires tetras as dithers. They get a good size and are really fast.

Yep, those large predatory new world cichlids(both central and south American) are what I'm talking about. Although they're 2" at the moment.

 

[duanes]

Since you are speaking about Central Americans, and their water parameters are generally hard, and high pH, to me they are basic geographically appropriate choices that fit the mold.
Lives bearers based upon size
https://hosting.photobucket.com/alb...s49523db1.jpg?width=320&height=320&fit=bounds, https://hosting.photobucket.com/alb...sffcd4588.jpg?width=320&height=320&fit=bounds
Above are sail fin mollies that can reach 7", or smaller live bearers such as Xiphorous only fitting with smaller cichlidshttps://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/i97/dstuer/zoogono/swordtails/.highres/IMG_7177_zps7e769668.jpg?width=320&height=320&fit=bounds, https://hosting.photobucket.com/alb...s0evb8wjn.jpg?width=320&height=320&fit=bounds
Or size appropriate, and water parameters appropriate Characins

Above are Tetras of the genus Roeboides, I've had success with cichlids up to the 7" range, in pH 8+ water parameters.
Below Astyanax , and Brycon Tetras

Keeping any with piscavores like Parachromis, would seem to be an exercise in futility though.
Below are Curmatid (tootjless tetras) found all over Central America in high pH water



Where I find them, they usually outnumber cichids by 40 or 50 to 1.

 

[abominus]

What kind of cichlids? A great dither for one is a meal for another.

Silver dollars are hit or miss. Generally, they are very skittish, so much to the point that they actually will make their tankmates more nervous as a result.
I really like Buenos Aires tetras as dithers. They get a good size and are really fast.

I was following OP's other posts/threads, thats why i knew he had central and south American cichlids, thus the reason why i recommended him Silver Dollars.

 

[bkfamus]

Triportheus angulatus or rotundatus , and Tetragonopterus argenteus have been great for me..

Silver Dollars have worked well also..

Extra large sailfin mollies can work...

and BA tetras can work with many cichlids, but I've had them get mauled by young viejas and amphs in the past.. currently working ok with some H. carpintis, but I did have 2 of 9 get mauled when I first added the juvie carpintis to a 180 with extra large adult BA tetras..

 

[Kevin@TUIC]

Giant danios, swordtails, colombian tetras, etc..

 

[Sinister-Kisses]

My personal go to are giant danios. Currently have a small school in with my adult male midas.

I HATE silver dollars. Just ugly fish IMO lol.

 

[Fanatic_Fish_Lunatic]

I was following OP's other posts/threads, thats why i knew he had central and south American cichlids, thus the reason why i recommended him Silver Dollars.

I remember you, lol.