Chiloglanis polypogon setup/tankmates

[nvcichlids]

I have been offered a group of 6 of

Chiloglanis polypogon

for my West African Dwarf tank. In it, I have the following:
4x Congochromis dimidiatus
6x Barbus candens
3-4 medium pieces of driftwood (malaysian)
2 anubias (med size)
3 water ferns
2x water hyacinth

Tank is a 38 gallon (believe it was 36x20x12)
1x Aqueon 55/75 filter
Substraight is medium sized sand (still plenty small) red flint
single zoo med planted tank bulb.

So with what is described (sorry no pictures, cameras are both out of use), would the chilo's be able to work into the setup?

Also, how would they breed? is it typical cave spawning like plecos, do they scatter, is there any parental care?


** missed the COTM article, reading now**

[Shane]

I have not collected this particular sp, but have collected and maintained several other Chiloglanis spp. They will need good O2 levels, and given the cichlids, you would be better off achieving this via aeration (air stones) than current (powerheads). You will also want to balance water temp between the cats, barbs, and cichlids aiming for the lower end that the barbs and cichlids can tolerate. I would aim for 75-77F.

The most difficult thing will be feeding them. Chiloglanis can be very tricky to get feeding on anything but live foods and they don't compete well with other fishes for food. I do not think there will be an issue with the barbs, but watch food competition with the cichlids.

Understand ahead of time that Chiloglanis are pretty difficult fishes to keep over the long term even in a carefully crafted species tank.

-Shane