55 stocking ideas

[Thalassa]

Helping a friend setup a new 55. Was thinking about convicts, firemouth, and Acara. Wondering what that might look like in numbers?
how many same sex of each would work in a 55.
Also if he wanted to breed could he do a pair of fire mount and a pair of natural blue acara with a big divider in the middle and maybe a female convict?

Any input appreciated.

thanks

 

[PhishMon84]

55's are pretty tall and narrow.
I would likely pick one species and add dithers like swordtails or mollies.

Cons 1 pair
or
firemouth group
or
depending on what acara a pair or singleton

These tanks are better suited for fish like angelfish IMHO who make use of the height

 

[duanes]

55's are pretty tall and narrow.
I would likely pick one species and add dithers like swordtails or mollies.

I agree with this.
A 55 is too small for more thamone species of cichlid. A pair, or as said if choosing FMs, they do best in a group.
And if you chose a group of FMS, I would only consider a 55, a temporary grow out tank.

 

[Rocksor]

1 male convict and dithers. A well taken care of convict male can reach 6".

 

[Thalassa]

what size tank would be ideal to house 3 pair?

 

[Rocksor]

what size tank would be ideal to house 3 pair?

1 pair can defend a full 4 feet around them so I would only have 1 pair in a 55g tank. Get 8 convicts, have them establish their own pairing and get rid of the other six.

 

[duanes]

A tank large enough to hold more than a pair of moderate size cichlids, I consider 6 ft andf 100 gallons or more minimal.
And I agree with Rocksor, a well taken care of convict will easily hit 6", and an aquarist I know in Chicago has a male FM in the 10"-12" range.
The reason I believe you don't see more in those sizes, is because most average aquarists do not provide the conditions needed to reach full potential.

 

[Cichlids+Oddballs]

Cichlids strictly? What about electric blue acara? Good colors, probably less aggressive.

 

[Thalassa]

A tank enough to hold more than a pair of moderate size cichlids, I consider 6 ft andf 100 gallons or more minimal.
And I agree with Rocksor, a well taken care of convict will easily hit 6", and an aquarist I know in Chicago has a male FM in the 10"-12" range.
The reason I believe you don't see more in those sizes, is because most are not given the conditions needed to reach full potential.

thats pretty cool, I love convicts. Would love to see a pic.

 

[Thalassa]

Cichlids strictly? What about electric blue acara? Good colors, probably less aggressive.

I prefer the natural blue acara (Aequidens pulcher) and my understanding is they are more hardy. Yeah I think they are more laid back than convicts. I bred them years ago look alot like a young green terror.