Species only CA aquarium?

[Rafini]

I have been researching recently about central American cichlids, mostly the ones that occur in Lago Nicaragua. I found it extremely interesting that most species actually occur naturally in groups sometimes of more than one species, and only really pair off to spawn.

so by that logic keeping a species aquarium (much like with Tanganyikan cichlid) would be a more natural arrangement than keeping a pair?

so I guess my question is, has anyone kept a species only group of CA cichlids, and how succesful is/was it? what would be some good smaller species to suggest for this arrangement?

 

[duanes]

If you go to cichlidae.com, the forum, down almost at the bottom of the page and most topics, is Cichlidarium, by Willem Heijns, he had a (I believe) at least a 1000 gal Lake Nicaragua tank, and documented much of its success and otherwise.

 

[Rafini]

If you go to cichlidae.com, the forum, down almost at the bottom of the page and most topics, is Cichlidarium, by Willem Heijns, he had a (I believe) at least a 1000 gal Lake Nicaragua tank, and documented much of its success and otherwise.

I will definately give that a read Duanes, you are the most knowledgable guy I know haha.

I`m interested in knowing how it would play out with smaller species in a smaller size tank. Surely someone has tried this with cons or firemouths ?

 

[cichlidfish]

I will definately give that a read Duanes, you are the most knowledgable guy I know haha.

I`m interested in knowing how it would play out with smaller species in a smaller size tank. Surely someone has tried this with cons or firemouths ?

Firemouths and other thorichthys do well in groups. A lot of CA.'s do well in groups

 

[duanes]

Since firemouth are a Mexican species, I would have not considered it for a Lake Nicaragua tank.
I do however have a 150 gal with a number of the smaller, young species from the area, which is working well so far, with Astatheros longimanus "Lake Nicaragua" (very similar to FMs), Cryptoheros panamense, and Hypsophrys nicaraguense.
None of these would be considered very aggressive though, and I believe (at least so far) because each are from a different genus, not seeing each other as competition.
A longimanus

C panamense

H nicaraguense

 

[Rafini]

Stock is looking good as always Duanes, some beautiful markings on those fish.

I didn't necessarily mean only Lago Nicaragua, but that when I did some research it made me realize that a lot of central American cichlids occur naturally like this.

I suppose to pull something like this off even with firemouths you would need at least a 6ft aquarium?

 

[elting44]

I think it comes down to the spawning behavior of the fish (both as a species as well as the individual), as well the 'hardscaping' and size of the aquarium.

I have had up to 6 adult convicts in a 55g that would get live harmoniously between spawns, but when spawning occurs all bets are off, and I would not recommend replicating this (have tanks available to relocate fish). In a larger aquarium (6ft+) you would probably have better luck.

If you are interested in doing a Lago Nicaragua bio-tope tank, this would be a valuable resource,

I just recently re-scaped my 55g, and have a pair of convicts with wrigglers and 2 rainbow cichlids. And so far I have been really surprised/please with how the convicts are being more relaxed with the rainbows than I have seen them with other tank mates. My goal is to get a male rainbow and see if I can keep a pair of each in my "Rio Matina Biotope"

 

[jonclark96]

Like others have said, it really depends on the size of the fish, their temperament, and the size of the tank. Most thorichthys will do well in a group, at least in my experience. Given enough room, this can work with some cryptoheros/amatitlania as well. I've had a group of a. coatepeque in a 55 gallon for coming up on 3 years without a death. There are 2 pairs and several offspring from each that have survived, as well as a trio of meeki and all works well. I've also kept a group of 5 centrarchus in a 75 successfully, but I think the group is male heavy and I haven't had any spawning. More aggressive fish will not do as well in a large group unless you have a large tank. I have had many species that started off as a group of 6-8 juveniles end up in either a pair, or in extreme cases, a single male. This includes several herichthys species, theraps wesseli, and cryptoheros in too small a tank. Just my thoughts.