Firemouths with red forest jewels? okay tankmates?

[Lozza92]

I've recently setup a new tank with a couple firemouths (not breeding pair), a friend has offered me his breeding pair of red forest jewels as he needs the tank space, would they be okay with the firemouths or too much aggression?

Thanks for any help,

Lauren

[scott95]

Hi there lauren

how big is the tank?

with RFJ's they are not that agressive, but by god they will stand their own and they are bloody good at it!

whats the size of the firemouths?

do you have many territories?

how big is the tank?

this will all help in giving the best answer

scott

[Azedenkae]

I heard that red forest jewels are like convicts, they can be extremely aggressive when breeding so... possibly not? But depends on individual fish as well... were the red forest jewels from a community tank or in a tank by themselves? Thorichthys species are relatively docile, but do do the usual aggressive stuff if necessary, so they may be able to withstand assaults from red forest jewels if it does occur.

[Lozza92]

The larger of the two firemouths is about 10-11cm the other is slightly smaller - they have plenty of spots to hide and set up their territories - the tank isn't too big though its a 3ft tank. 3x1.5x1.5 i think.

[Punky-architect]

How big are the RFJ's??. Ive got a few firemouths but was told not to put them with RFJ's due to there aggression.

[Lozza92]

pretty much the same size as the firemouth, approx 11cm

[steve6610]

maybe i should add that they are different types of fish,

africans and americans,

i think the tanks to small, the rfj need at least 2/3 ft tank, and being a pair they will defend their space, i think it will end badly

[Lozza92]

thanks for your advice everybody, I guess now I should decide, keep the firemouths or sell and get the Jewels

[Azedenkae]

The main problem would be that they're breeding. If they were not a pair, it'd be fine.

The tank would be rather large for just a pair of RFJs tho... XD It's up to you really, 3x1.5x1.5 isn't really THAT small, so it COULD work. But couldn't doesn't mean that it would, and well, I guess you can always go for just the RFJs. It'll give the fries ample space to swim around I guess. XD

[steve6610]

The main problem would be that they're breeding. If they were not a pair, it'd be fine.

The tank would be rather large for just a pair of RFJs tho... XD It's up to you really, 3x1.5x1.5 isn't really THAT small, so it COULD work. But couldn't doesn't mean that it would, and well, I guess you can always go for just the RFJs. It'll give the fries ample space to swim around I guess. XD

a friend has offered me his breeding pair of red forest jewels would they be okay with the firemouths or too much aggression?

Thanks for any help,

Lauren

but in this case they are a breeding pair, so they are better in their own tank, be it 2ft or 6ft,

it COULD work, but why risk it,

also you still have the issue of having americans with africans, i have kept them together on the same system, but not in the same tank, again this COULD work, but why risk it,

[Azedenkae]

Yes, hence I repeatedly said it COULD work, not that he should do it. Wasn't disagreeing with you on anything in relation to that.

However! There's really no reason why americans can't work with africans. I disagree with you on that, actually. I have americans with africans living together aplenty, and there's no issues (besides the usual cichlid versus cichlid aggression, which happens regardless). In fact, I noticed that with the aggression, the africans and americans may butt heads a little bit, but not by much. My americans reacted the same way to a pleco as it does to an african. It's more the intra-american or african aggression that's usually the problem.

Also risking it to get two different types of beautiful fish living together could be worth it.

[CrayonBox]

However! There's really no reason why americans can't work with africans. I disagree with you on that, actually. I have americans with africans living together aplenty, and there's no issues (besides the usual cichlid versus cichlid aggression, which happens regardless). In fact, I noticed that with the aggression, the africans and americans may butt heads a little bit, but not by much. My americans reacted the same way to a pleco as it does to an african. It's more the intra-american or african aggression that's usually the problem.

I'm Sorry but i cant agree with you on that. For one african cichlids come from mineral lakes so keeping them with americans who come from almost completely different water isnt health for either fish and ultimately ends in sick fish. Fortunately though RFJ come from the rivers of africa so keeping them with americans wont be as big of a shock to them, however in my opinon you should not keep a breeding pair of anything with other fish because all it does is stress your fish out. They have to work way harder in defending there terriotry, they get alot more aggresive and often end up killing the other fish. And why would you risk keeping two different types of beautiful fish together if the odds are that one will just kill the other, that just seems like senseless killing to me. If you like both fish that much, why not just buy a 2ft tank for them? that way you can keep both sets of fish without worrying.

[Azedenkae]

Again, I agree that the breeding pair of RFJ shouldn't be in with the firemouth. Could work, but shouldn't try it (or rather try it at one's own risk). Because, well, they're breeding.

How many times do I need to say that? Geez.

As for the Americans + Africans, well yes a lot of cases Americans and Africans can't live in the same tank. But at the same time, in some cases certain Americans can't live with certain Americans, and same goes for Africans. So imo, really it's not simply 'oh no Americans can't live with Africans', but more down to specific genera (or species) of fish and their living requirements, regardless of them being American or African or otherwise.