Can these fish be together?

Question
well if i do put the divider in what if i have 1 filter on one side and the 1 filter on the other would that be ok and also how big of a tank would i need for 1 cichlid its about the size of a dollar bill maybe a little smaller  
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
I just got a cichlid from a friend, her other ones were beating this one up and I had an extra set up tank. I know these fish only do well with others like it. My husband wants to get a very large tank at least 55 gallons or more and was wondering if we could possibly get a divider and have one part angelfish,catfish, and algae eaters and the other side just that one cichlid.
-----Answer-----
Hi Michelle,
 Theoretically you could go with a divider but I don't recommend it.  Fish almost always find a way around dividers
and dividers mess with filtration in the tank.

 You are much better to have separate tanks.

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


Answer
Hi Michelle,
 You could do that and it would probably work okay.  Just be sure that the divider is very firmly in place because if it isn't they will find a way around it.  They are highly motivated and have nothing else to do other than mess with you.... I am speaking from lots of experience here...

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