What's your thoughts on cichlids?
- Thread starter Fanatic_Fish_Lunatic
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Hey, nothing serious. I just wanna know you guys' opinions about this. In general, between new world and old world cichlids, which one is tougher and more hardy? And in general, which one has faster growth rates? I'm just curious.
In my opinion, it really depends on the specific species.
The Buttikoferi cichlid, also known as the hornet cichlid, is an extremely aggressive species from Africa with a very fast growth rate—around 1.5 to 2 inches per month. As far as I know, it's one of the fastest and largest-growing cichlids from Africa.
However, while rapid growth is uncommon in African or Old World cichlids, it’s very common in Central and South American species. Examples include Oscars, Jaguar cichlids, Texas cichlids, Midas cichlids, and others.
Overall, New World cichlids tend to be larger and grow faster compared to the majority of African cichlids.
Although the largest cichlid known is an African, Boulengerochromis microlepis (at over 3 ft, and reaches that length in only 3 years),
there are plenty of other Africans (for example some Serranochromis) that are never imported for aquariums from remote regions like the Okovango, in Africa because they are only thought of as food for human consumption, get similar in size., but hardly practicle or appealing as aquarium fish.
Many of these make oscars, a few Parachromis and many other new worlds seem like dwarf cichlids in comparison.
Of course some Cichla, and Kronoheros almost hit the 3 foot mark.
Some of the new world vegetarian cichlids such as Cincelichthy bocourti and Pearsei easily reach the 15" +
And of course Parachromis dovii
But unless you have access to 300+ gallon tanks.....anything smaller for any of the above, might be called cruel and unusual punishment
there are plenty of other Africans (for example some Serranochromis) that are never imported for aquariums from remote regions like the Okovango, in Africa because they are only thought of as food for human consumption, get similar in size., but hardly practicle or appealing as aquarium fish.
Many of these make oscars, a few Parachromis and many other new worlds seem like dwarf cichlids in comparison.
Of course some Cichla, and Kronoheros almost hit the 3 foot mark.
Some of the new world vegetarian cichlids such as Cincelichthy bocourti and Pearsei easily reach the 15" +
And of course Parachromis dovii
But unless you have access to 300+ gallon tanks.....anything smaller for any of the above, might be called cruel and unusual punishment
Another group of largish cichlids, come from the island and are only endemic to Madgascar , and are from the genus Paretroplus.
I have had Paretroplus menerambo reach sizes of over 15" in my aquariums,, and some species are know to get larger,.
menerambo above, maculatus below
I have had Paretroplus menerambo reach sizes of over 15" in my aquariums,, and some species are know to get larger,.
menerambo above, maculatus below
Thanks for providing that info
duanes
. I need to learn a lot more about African cichlids.Can you provide some articles, threads, sources, etc on where i can find info about African cichlids.
Because I started keeping cichlids long belore the internet, I built up a library, and belonged to the American Cichlid Assn for decades.
It is so much easier now since the onset of sites like the Cichlid Room Companion (Cichidae.com), and online American Cichlid Assn. availability, to access,
I wouldn't know where to start, there are almost 2000 species from Africa alone
https://hosting.photobucket.com/alb...ghres/038.jpg?width=320&height=320&fit=bounds, https://hosting.photobucket.com/alb...res/039-1.jpg?width=320&height=320&fit=bounds, https://hosting.photobucket.com/alb...ghres/031.jpg?width=320&height=320&fit=bounds
It is so much easier now since the onset of sites like the Cichlid Room Companion (Cichidae.com), and online American Cichlid Assn. availability, to access,
I wouldn't know where to start, there are almost 2000 species from Africa alone
https://hosting.photobucket.com/alb...ghres/038.jpg?width=320&height=320&fit=bounds, https://hosting.photobucket.com/alb...res/039-1.jpg?width=320&height=320&fit=bounds, https://hosting.photobucket.com/alb...ghres/031.jpg?width=320&height=320&fit=bounds
It depends very much on species. That, and aggression is relative and toughness and aggression aren't always the same. For example, on average, Malawi cichlids are pretty aggressive, but while some of the most aggressive among them are certain mbuna species, they'd make a tidy snack for some of the big boys on either continent. 
Also, how to manage aggression varies greatly. For some species it works to crowd them and for others that's the last thing you want to do.
Also, how to manage aggression varies greatly. For some species it works to crowd them and for others that's the last thing you want to do.
Different strokes for different folks, I don’t gravitate towards them like I do with catfish but there are nice species that I think of quite fondly.
Don't worry, I have 4,800 gallon concrete pond in front of my house, and even larger pond that I don't really know how big is it. It's a natural pond in my grandma's land. It's a closed pond, so my fish will stay there(this natural pond is for silver arowana, alligator gar, redtail catfish and tiger shovelnose.)
Anyways, I'd like to hear your opinion. Which one do you prefer? Old world or new world?