is a blue moori dophin a good choice to add to a community tank?

I am considering getting a blue dolphin (hap moori) i heard they are ok to have in a community tank...any suggestions ?? Is there any other kind of ciclid that would be ok to put in with my community tank??

I forgot to mention the contents of my aquarium For the substrate i have two layers one is clay based (not sure what its called) and the top layer is sand. I have a few plants but im not sure what there called..so if anyone recognises any of them let me know the rocks and drift wood i got from the lake near me ( i boiled the drift wood for a while before adding it to my aquarium) ok so now on to my fish friends
2 gouarmis 1 gold 1 blue
2 sharks 1 red tail 1 rainbow
2 SAE
3 blueberry tetras (im not sure if that is there actual name)
2 neons ( 1 neon is missing a eye! poor lil fella, but he is doing well none the less)
2 guppies
2 apple snails

right now there in a 30g. I have a 90g given to me being cycled at this very moment. I'll be moving them all to there new home when the tank is done cycling.

Most Cichlids are very aggressive when they mature, so they're not the best community fish. One possible exception is the German blue ram. That said, a single species tank is easier to keep, and you can provide ideal conditions for all of the fish. When setting up a tank, you need to consider the feeding and spawning requirements as well as preferred water parameters for each species of fish. In addition, some species like neon tetras and white cloud mountain minnows are schooling fish and are happier with a group of at least six. The biggest mistake i made on my first few aquariums was selecting and mixing too many varities without considering compatability.

The plants. The bushy ones look like water wisteria, and the one with the wide leaves may be an Amazon sword. It's difficult to tell without a closer view. Several places sell live plants on line and usually list their requirements. Aquabid.com is a good starting place. As for the substrate, some common ones like Flourite and laterite are clay based, and they are very good for planted aquariums. Most are dark brown or red compressed granules, and they have lots of dust.

thank you johnarthur! That really helped me out alot. i think im gonna wait till my other tank is reay and make my 30g a species only tank. thanks for the quick reply!

Hi Leelee...
Like you said..perhaps saving the small 30 gal. for tetras & the like would be your best bet.
What you have described are not compatible with african cichlids..which is what a blue dolphin is.
Sooo..adding a blue dolphin ( I had one) to a tank with anything other than AFRICAN cichlids...the other fish will be "dinner".
You could do a 90 gal. african.It would be cool !! That way you could have the blue dolphin & additional color you want...
Since the Blue D. is a Mbuna from Lake malawi ...try to place only other Mbuna's in with it.
With africans..it is best to add them all at the same time. That lessens aggression..and once they establish territory..they will be fine. Adding a newcomer once the others have been together awhile..well...most likely the newcomer will end up killed.
I have had africans for many years...
I think you will enjoy them.
Don't let anyone at the fish store tell you that So. American cichlids are compatible with them, though.....cause they are not.
I have a video posted here in the forum if you care to view it of my African tank.
Just for suggestion...here are a few you could put in with the blue dolphin...
Yellow Lab
Blue Johanni
Electric Blue
Peacocks
Zebras ( "africans"~ orange, Ice Blue, etc.)
Haps ( although they are less aggressive..so be careful)

Like I mentioned..as long as you stick with Mbuna's from Lake malawi ( dwarf african cichlids)..they should all be compatible.
They will grow to around 6 -8 inches....and they prefer a more crowded tank actually. it spreads the aggression. My theory is one fish per 5 gal. with africans. Lots of rocks..and caves. If plants..must ne fake..they will destroy real ones. Rocky/gravel substrate. No sand..as they "dig".

Dizzie thank you for your comment.i have decided to use the 90g stricktly for a african cichlid tank..my tank hasent finished cycleing yet. im so excited ..my lfs has a good selection of african cichlids (good price as well). good advise about the plants ..i would have put real ones in . i do however have a lot of rock. ill post a picture when everythings done and i have fish in the tank

Awesome Leelee!!
I think you are going to really like that !!
Have fun !!
..and can't wait to see the pic.'s when you get them !

i am in this same proses. i have set my tank up with a heater, stones, plants, fliter. i have put x3 neon babys in to try it out they are happy have had them in there for 4days i realy want a blue dolp so sounds like i will have to re home them thats ok, do i need anything eals for them should i change the stones to sand???? thanks alotany advise would be great

Make sure the aquarium is fully cycled (zero ammonia and nitrite) before adding fish. The fish you're talking about is an African cichlid, which means that it has special requirements with regard to water parameters. It's also a territorial fish, and one male needs two or three females. Before investing, be sure to do some research. Google is a good starting place.

thanks john that was a big help do you no what other fish would go with this one? so they would get on make the tank a bit colourfull,
thanks alot

Most cichlids are not compatible with other species. Sorry