40"x16"x20" - 207 litres stocking

[Glacier]

Hi, I have a 40x16x20" (LxWxH) tank comming free very soon, and am contemplating various stocking.
The tank actually holds 180 litres at the moment, but that is because there is a rather large internal filter that I will be removing and replacing with an external canister.

I really like the parachromis group, and was wondering if it would be possible to have a female of the smaller species in this tank (friedrichsthalii, loisellei or motaguensis). Or a male, but I have a feeling they may be too big for this tank. Also, is there any way to tell the sexes apart?

I have heard people call salvini's 'mimi guapotes'. Are they as owner interactive as the real deal? I would just have to find one with nice colouring. Could I have a salvini and say a convict in this tank or is that asking for trouble?

Another idea I had would be to have a single female texas cichlid, would this be Ok in the tank?
Any suggestions helpful.
Many thanks for your help and patience

 

[Cross127]

If you like Texas cichlids get a nice male Carpinte. A female Motaguense would do ok in there as any other female parachromis besides jags and dovii.

 

[Glacier]

I love the colouring on texas cichlids, especially escondido's.

 

[Cross127]

Escons are not texas cichlids they are carpinte. They are in the same family though Herichthys. These fish look similar but definately not thte same.

 

[ewok]

i say get a red tiger mota. those are really nice and get aggressive but wont break a tank of that size.

or you can get a grammodes. those are slow growing so you could probably get a 3 inch male and have a few clown loaches inside and they would be ok for at least 1-2 years.

 

[davidefc]

you couldgo for a nice male green texas, with clown loaches and others like male convicts update us what you get

 

[Rakie]

Most of the CA/SA cichlids that aren't on the large side bore me.

Id suggest maybe a Buttikoferi since its a nice slow grower, and could be happy in there for awhile.

 

[Bogwoodbruce]

I've got a tank like that (The dimensions) And i once kept a Buttikoferi in there for quite a long time. But if i was you i'd go for a pair of Texas cichlids.

 

[mbunafishkeeper]

maybe a pair of texas the mota might get a bit boring but its your decision!

 

[Glacier]

Idealy I wouldnt want something that outgrew the tank, as I have no option of getting futher tanks .

Would a texas and a convict work out in this tank, or would the agression levels be too much?

Edit: Just re-read davidefcs so that answers the con/tex