Keeping A Tank Cycled.

With the plec in the tank you can't use ammonia to keep it cycled. The plec would keep some bacteria in the filter and other surfaces but the numbers would slowly die back to just his needs now that the cichlid has died.
As you suggest you could get some cheap fish to maintain the bacteria levels, but would want to keep them once you are in a position to replace the cichlid?

Leaving the tank with just the plec does mean that when you replace the cichlid with something similar sized you would need to keep a watch on your ammonia and nitrite levels. There are ways to allow some ammonia and nitrite in the water without harming the fish so that the bacteria multiply faster. If you decide on this route, I'll tell you what they are nearer the time.

It didn't occur to me to look at your signature! You could move any fish you wanted across on a temporary basis.


I know this site will be miles away from you but it will give you some idea of what's out there and how much the fish cost. Shop. It's the only shop I know of that gives the price of their stock on-line.

I'm lucky as that shop is only half an hour's drive from me