Need 8-10" cichlid ideas

[duanes]

I found them to be very shy and hid except when guarding fry, and killing tank mates.
They are not a domesticated species like oscars, or even as domestic as dovii.

 

[cichlidfish]

Good cichlids for a 40g would be dwarfs or smaller CAs like HRP.

 

[MC4RKiller]

Thanks for the feedback on the grammodes; Ive read they are either like you stated skittish or just flat out psycho. My luck Id get one I never saw so I think I will forgo them even though they do look pretty awesome.

I have decided that my A.siquia Rio Tempisque male will be getting one of the tanks. He is becoming a real dick to my Syn and Id like to give him his own space as he is actually quite an impressive fish. I will probably order a female from Rapps and get her established prior to moving him in. I will most likely do some largeish barbs for dithers.

Now for the remaining 40G Im not sure what Ill do....someone on another forum suggested a female Festae. I have also thought of an EBJD or just a nicer bred regular JD. Still thinking of a solo fish with personality.

 

[kewpiefishypewpie]

I don't think a female festae is a good idea, they're virtually impossible to sex at a young age. You'd be putting a mature female in a 40 gallon, or a male that will definitely outgrow that tank. Get a 75 and one of the smaller parachromis species

 

[cichlidfish]

Thanks for the feedback on the grammodes; Ive read they are either like you stated skittish or just flat out psycho. My luck Id get one I never saw so I think I will forgo them even though they do look pretty awesome.

I have decided that my A.siquia Rio Tempisque male will be getting one of the tanks. He is becoming a real dick to my Syn and Id like to give him his own space as he is actually quite an impressive fish. I will probably order a female from Rapps and get her established prior to moving him in. I will most likely do some largeish barbs for dithers.

Now for the remaining 40G Im not sure what Ill do....someone on another forum suggested a female Festae. I have also thought of an EBJD or just a nicer bred regular JD. Still thinking of a solo fish with personality.

Those A. Siquia are much more aggressive sp. than a syn. Expect aggressive, territorial cichlids to get aggressive in less than ideal conditions. Sometimes even in large tanks people have issues if not comparable sp.
No way will a festae ever work out in a 40g. A female JD might be ok, but IMO a 8-9" fish will not work out in a 40g.

 

[Diogenes]

I kept a pair of A. Centrarchus in a tank about that size. The male gets around that size. Really neat fish.

 

[MC4RKiller]

Only way I would trust getting a female Festae at a subadult size would be from Rapps; I know he typically vents them and gives you the best guess possible. Even then Im not sure the space would be adequate long term. I know females typically max around 9" but it is pushing it a little farther than Id like.

The Siquia/Syn combo worked very well and is still okay, no damaged fins/scales etc. My Syn is a very aggressive (for a Syn anyway) female who had to be moved out of an acquaintance's large display. Once on her own she became very shy so I tossed the Siquia in with her and it has worked very well. The Siquia is just now able to claim 1/3 the tank and wont let anything in "his" space. I want to move him out before any real problems come up.

Oh nice, and thanks for the suggestion. I had looked at Flier Cichlids in the past. They are certainly a cool species which I have never kept.

 

[ehh]

Have you ever seen an adult female festae? The space will not be adequate long term. Please don't do that lol.

 

[duanes]

I agree with ehh about a 40 gal being too small for a female festae.
The only Central Americans I would put in a 40 gal would be Crytoheros nanoluteus, multispinnossa, or Honduran Red Points.
Anything else like like keeping a great dane in a tiny bathroom 24/7.

 

[justarn]

Cuban cichlid. Bonsai flower horn or 5 star generals or red jewels. Tropheus bemba, duboisi or ikola. A few I would consider, obviously the later being African.