cichlids and other fish

Question
we have just set up a 125 gal. tank. and are waiting for the ammonia levels to go down. we want cichlids  but would like some other kinds of fish with them .... an arrowana, a clown knife, and a black ghost knife. can we do this if they are all small and we put them in about the same time?

Answer
Hi Yvonne,
 Are you aware that an adult arrowana is over 2 feet in length.  Knife fish also get well over a foot.  Keep this in mind.  The fact that they all start out the same size at the same time will be good for awhile, but after that, as soon as somebody starts getting bigger than somebody else, you could easily have problems.  

 I would not put African cichlids in such a tank, only Central or South American cichlids.  Keep in mind that many of the Central American cichlids can also get quite large.   

 It is very important that you put lots of structure (e.g., wood, plants). Doing so will help reduce the aggression among the fishes.

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
  Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>