We can also add a small group of catfish, Synodontis nigriventris , which swims “upside down” with their stomachs in the air. They remain hidden for a good part of the day, but are very active at the end of the day, in the evening and at night. They claim hiding places, stumps and roots, a pile of stones, tangled woods. In an aquarium their size does not exceed 10 cm and their behavior is completely peaceful.
For an aquarium of around 200L, if you want less common poisons you can choose a couple from these Cichlids:
- Among the small African Cichlids, there are also Anomalochromis thomasi, which live in the coastal rivers of West Africa. The water in their natural biotope is slightly acidic, temperature close to 25 ° C.
- They measure 6 to 8 cm, and are laying eggs on exposed substrate. They are calm and not very aggressive even at the time of reproductions
Hemichromis sp (sold as lifalili) which has a dark spot on its side and Hemichromis bimaculatus which differs by its 2 very clear spots, are also Cichlids of reasonable size, (10 to 12 cm) and beautifully colored especially at the time of spawning. They look alike and are often confused, but 9 times out of 10 they are neither real lifalili nor bimaculatus but various hybrids and fish not clearly identified.
The Tank
They need a large tank, if possible 300 liters and more, because they are territorial and aggressive, especially during the laying period. They tend to redo the decor according to their taste and uproot the plants that disturb them when they dig. Superbly colored, easy to keep and to reproduce, they require a well filtered, brewed tank with many hiding places, stones, flower pots, roots and stumps to delimit territories. Fresh water, very oxygenated and brewed, pH 6.5 to 7.2, temperature between 24 and 28 ° C no rich subsoil or fertilizer because they dig everywhere. Plant rhizomes must be securely attached to a stump or stone
Little planted tank
During the breeding season in neutral dress
Another Cichlid: Steatocranus casuarius, territorial and fairly typical fish, measuring 8 to 12 cm. Males have a very pronounced frontal hump. They swim poorly and live close to the ground, which they like to dig. They need well-oxygenated water, with current and eddies. We must provide sandy soil and a rocky setting, recreating the bottom of a river, which allows them to delimit various territories. They are kept in pairs, in a 200L tank at least with fresh water between 10 and 15 ° TH, temperature from 24 to 28 degrees, and a pH varying from 6.5 to 7.8.
Conclusion
They can be combined with a school of Brycinus longipinnis or Alestes longipinnis. These “Longfin Characins” live close to the coast, from The Gambia to the Republic of the Congo. They are gregarious and perfectly suited to a community aquarium. But they are very active, lively and nervous and able to jump out of the tank. You have to leave them a large swimming space without obstacles and provide them with hiding places and refuges thanks to beds of large plants. As they are river and whitewater fish, they appreciate brewed water and a good current.