New to american cichlids please help!!

[dan518]

I actually really like the firemouths, some of my favorites. How many of them would be ok?

5 or 6

 

[dan518]

Okay and only them in the tank correct?

A group of livebeares swordtails, mollies etc would work well.

 

[Hereditary47]

5 or 6

just them in the tank?

 

[dan518]

A group of livebeares swordtails, mollies etc would work well.

While not geographically correct spotted hoplo catfish as bottom dwellers should work.

 

[huntery18]

I got 4 juvenile jack dempseys hoping they will pair off and they're gorgeous fish with tons of life, i definitely have one female with eggs in her the other 3 are yet to be determined but beware of what you put in with these aggressive things.

 

[Hereditary47]

They prefer a group, but your tank won't really be large enough to keep a group long-term.

I would look guianacara, perhaps geopahgus redhead Tapajos, if you like the geophagus. Steindachneri also are quite nice looking. These smaller species, you could probably do a small group, and also have some other dither fish as well.

How about flowerhorns? Would i be able to keep a pair or only one if even any?

 

[Gourami Swami]

How about flowerhorns? Would i be able to keep a pair or only one if even any?

Would be fine for one alone. Might have trouble with a pair in only a 4' tank

 

[huntery18]

Okay and only them in the tank correct?

if youre keeping firemouths you could get a pleco and maybe a pictus catfish if yours are similar to the FM's i used to have, play it by ear if you see high aggression just towards them just know.

 

[Hereditary47]

Would be fine for one alone. Might have trouble with a pair in only a 4' tank

Think im going to go with the firemouths. will be back if i change my mind and have more questions, thanks everyone for all the help!

 

[Zachk29]

You can do firemouths they get around 6 inches you can get some colorful ones. Only thing that sucks about them is they grow very slow in my expierence.