Mark F.

I have a similar space behind my kitchen sink, complete with a cabinet-mounted fluorescent fixture, and have thought of doing something similar. I always like seeing when people can pull off keeping plants together with goldfish, which are well known for nibbling on plants - the trick is to choose the right kind of plants. I think that plant in the left side of the photo (crypt or sword?) is probably a goner, but the anubias behind the shell should do fine - they can tolerate a broad range of conditions, and taste nasty to virtually all herbivorous and omnivorous fish. The real question is how well the cichlids will get along with goldfish (the pleco should get along fine with either). The one thing working in your favor is that the goldfish appear to be good-sized, and apparently outnumber the cichlids, which will hopefully intimidate the cichlids from becoming bullies. This tank might become too crowded, though, as the inhabitants grow - you'll probably have to move the cichlids to your bigger tank.

Chartreuse Boots

if that shell is real you could run into problems with your alkalinity. because seashells are from saltwater they cause the water to become more and more alkaline as they decay. also those fish need a bigger (separate) tanks asap or your nitrates will be out of control, not to mention the aggression problems. :(