AboutRon Coleman Expertise I am an expert on cichlid fishes, particularly New World cichlids. My broader expertise includes the behavior, ecology and reproduction of fishes in general. (I am NOT an expert on Goldfish). Please do not use abbreviations, such as "my GT has a swollen eye" because I don't know what a "GT" is. The more clearly you can explain your question, the better chance I have of understanding what it is that you seek. I keep fishes both as a scientist and as a hobbyist and I currently maintain about 140 aquariums.
Experience I am an Assistant Professor at the California State University, Sacramento in the Department of Biological Sciences, and I run a website, called the Cichlid Research Home Page . I also write for many popular aquarist magazines, and I am editor of Cichlid News magazine. I am a scientist and I spend my time teaching fish biology, ecology, behavior and evolution and doing research on the reproductive biology of fishes, particularly cichlids. I do research in the laboratory and in Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Mexico. My main interest is understanding the evolution of parental care in fishes. I am interested in encouraging greater public awareness, understanding and participation in science.
Publications Cichlid News, Tropical Fish Hobbyist, Freshwater and Marine Aquarium, Science, Behavioural Ecology and Sociobiology, Copeia, Canadian Journal of Zoology, Trends in Ecology and Evolution, AUK, Environmental Biology of Fishes
Question Hi I am a beginner having fish aquarium for past 4 months. I am fascinated by Chiclids. I have bought 4 yellow chichlids recently, but I saw rest of my 10-15 fishes (I believe I had Mosses - the White and black ones), die. What are the other varieties of fishes that go along with Chiclids, that can be kept in the same tank. Pls suggest. Seeing 10-15 fishes die in 2-3 days put me off badly.
Answer Hi Bala,
I am not sure what you mean by "mosses"? Do you mean "mollies"?
In general, the best fish to keep with cichlids are other cichlids. Fish like mollies do not do well with cichlids because the cichlids attack them. The good news is that there are over 2300 species of cichlids so that is a lot to choose from.
The other group of fish that in general does well with cichlids are many of the catfishes. Cichlids tend to leave them alone and vice versa.
-- Ron
rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>
