i have 3 african cichlids (mbuna, acei, kenyi) they all are about 2" and i'm thinking about getting a needlenose "gar" just looking for some advice from people who have/have had needlenose
needlenose "gar" + african cichlids?
- Thread starter Bobtastic6
- Start date
In my experience SA needles can be bully's.
Mine would repeatedly poke fish that were bigger than it. By poke I mean swim slowly up to them and then lung forward and poke them with its snout. And if a fish was less than half its size then it would chase them if they came to the top.
But past that they are a wonderfully interesting fish that is full of attitude. I was bitten by mine on many occassion during water changes and hand feedings. They are fairly easy to train to eat dead foods because of there aggressive nature. Mine would eat bugs and shrimp and feeders all in the same day. The shrimp would only work if i tossed it in from a few feet away and it landed right in front of the needle.
SO if you have atleast a 4ft tank and can get a smaller one that won't eat the cichlids go for it.
Mine would repeatedly poke fish that were bigger than it. By poke I mean swim slowly up to them and then lung forward and poke them with its snout. And if a fish was less than half its size then it would chase them if they came to the top.
But past that they are a wonderfully interesting fish that is full of attitude. I was bitten by mine on many occassion during water changes and hand feedings. They are fairly easy to train to eat dead foods because of there aggressive nature. Mine would eat bugs and shrimp and feeders all in the same day. The shrimp would only work if i tossed it in from a few feet away and it landed right in front of the needle.
SO if you have atleast a 4ft tank and can get a smaller one that won't eat the cichlids go for it.
no.
im sure those cichlids prefer even higher pH than the needles,not to mention africans could easily skin that needle alive.
JMO.
im sure those cichlids prefer even higher pH than the needles,not to mention africans could easily skin that needle alive.
JMO.
These needle nose fish are rather skittish and africans are bullies. You're going to end up with a dead needle nose very quickly.
I have 65 species of African Cichlids and 1 8" Stripped Pike Characin aka South American Gar.................their is no way in hell I'd ever drop the gar in with the mbunas they'd shread it in an hour. The gar lives with large plecos.
First off, I realize that I'm resurrecting an oooold thread, but have a varying opinion/experience.
I have had a needlenose gar in my African tank for almost two years. Zero Problems. In fact my gar and one of the mbuna seem to almost "play" at night. The gar (charicin) hangs out at the top of the tank most of the time and the cichlids do their own thing. Largely the gar ignores the cichlids and vice versa.
I also have a 15" Tyre Track eel living in this tank too. Near perfect harmony with the exception of Africans being African towards each other.
My personal experience.
I have had a needlenose gar in my African tank for almost two years. Zero Problems. In fact my gar and one of the mbuna seem to almost "play" at night. The gar (charicin) hangs out at the top of the tank most of the time and the cichlids do their own thing. Largely the gar ignores the cichlids and vice versa.
I also have a 15" Tyre Track eel living in this tank too. Near perfect harmony with the exception of Africans being African towards each other.
My personal experience.