South American & New World Cichlids.

[Angelbugbear]

Hi everyone. I am setting up a new tank for south/central American cichlids and as this is my first time with these fish, I am looking for some advice. The tank is 60" x 24" x 24". 566 litres 150 US gallons. Tank will be run with 2xOase BioMaster Thermo External Filters. Rocks, wood and hopefully, java fern.
My stocking plans is as follows.
2-4 red spot severum
5 Geophagus (smaller variety)
1 male T-bar cichlid
1 Male Blue Acara
4 Bristlenose catfish.

I have a few questions.
1) Will this mix of fish work?
2) Is the stocking level ok?
3) Should I have a shoal of dither fish to help settle the severum? If so, what would be a good choice?
4) Is it the same as with Malawi cichlids, and all fish to be put in the tank in one go?
TYVM for any help you can give me.

 

[tlindsey]

Hi everyone. I am setting up a new tank for south/central American cichlids and as this is my first time with these fish, I am looking for some advice. The tank is 60" x 24" x 24". 566 litres 150 US gallons. Tank will be run with 2xOase BioMaster Thermo External Filters. Rocks, wood and hopefully, java fern.
My stocking plans is as follows.
2-4 red spot severum
5 Geophagus (smaller variety)
1 male T-bar cichlid
1 Male Blue Acara
4 Bristlenose catfish.

I have a few questions.
1) Will this mix of fish work?
2) Is the stocking level ok?
3) Should I have a shoal of dither fish to help settle the severum? If so, what would be a good choice?
4) Is it the same as with Malawi cichlids, and all fish to be put in the tank in one go?
TYVM for any help you can give me.

Welcome aboard


I personally would stock with only SA Cichlids most CA Cichlid are more aggressive.

 

[Angelbugbear]

Welcome aboard


I personally would stock with only SA Cichlids most CA Cichlid are more aggressive.

Ty for the welcome.
I know the T bar cichlid is a CA child, but I had been led to believe its a very peaceful (for a cichlid) fish. If its a risk fish I would be happy to leave it off the list. The only definitely on the list is the severums, they are the whole reason for the new tank.

 

[PhishMon84]

Sajicas are mellow until breeding - if just get a single male I think you’ll be all set.

 

[A201]

IMO, stocking New Worlds are a little different than stocking Malawi Cichlids. African Rift Lake fish are similar to marine reef fish. The rift lakes are more or less inland oceans. New Worlds are pond, swamp and stream fish. Totally different animals.
I think it's great if you can stock the majority of your fish together as juveniles. Seems to work better that way.
A school of larger, tough Tetras like Buenos Aires Tetras, would be good dithers and would add a lot of movement to your tank.

 

[Gourami Swami]

I wouldn't call Sajica peaceful, I have had some that are pretty rowdy. I think if you really wanted one it could work with the other fish you listed, but just keep an eye on it.

The stocking looks good to me. I think you will be fine with or without dither fish, if you want some then add them. But with all the other cichlids I bet the Sevs feel safe enough.

 

[Angelbugbear]

I wouldn't call Sajica peaceful, I have had some that are pretty rowdy. I think if you really wanted one it could work with the other fish you listed, but just keep an eye on it.

The stocking looks good to me. I think you will be fine with or without dither fish, if you want some then add them. But with all the other cichlids I bet the Sevs feel safe enough.

Have a soft spot for the T bar since I saw an adult one, will do as advised and get one with caution. I would rather not have dither fish, so will wait and see how it goes without them first.
TYVM for your help.

 

[Backfromthedead]

like the stocking. i would go for the dithers, larger tetras like blackskirt, columbians, lampeyes should work.

sajica may be nippy and assassinate a tetra here and there but hey theyre cheap.

breeding severums may get annoying. ive began putting their egg rock in a secluded corner of my tank so they dont annoy everyone else with their futile brooding.

 

[duanes]

I believe the reason dither fish are recommended is because cichlids watch the action of dither fish to judge safety and comfort, and if dither fish aren't present in nature, it tells them to hide. They also often occupy a different area of the water column, than the cichlids inhabit.

So without dithers, your cichlids may often do more hiding than not.
My experience with sajica, is also that it is a bit more aggressive than its South Americans cousins, and it may see the severums (being the same shape) as competitors to be vanquished.

I am very fond sajica, and find they do fine with live bearers as dithers, and more elongate cichlids as tank mates, dis-similar in appearance, but other round pan shaped cichlids could be beaten to death. You may have leeway in a 150 if they all grow up together.

 

[Backfromthedead]

I believe the reason dither fish are recommended is because cichlids watch the action of dither fish to judge safety and comfort, and if dither fish aren't present in nature, it tells them to hide. They also often occupy a different area of the water column, than the cichlids inhabit.

So without dithers, your cichlids may often do more hiding than not.
My experience with sajica, is also that it is a bit more aggressive than its South Americans cousins, and it may see the severums (being the same shape) as competitors to be vanquished.

I am very fond sajica, and find they do fine with live bearers as dithers, and more elongate cichlids as tank mates, dis-similar in appearance, but other round pan shaped cichlids could be beaten to death. You may have leeway in a 150 if they all grow up together.

thats a gorgeous sajica. yours?