After talking to a few people who have a lot of experience with ca/sa cichlids I was told it would be best to keep at least 4 med-large cichlids in the tank to reduce bullying. I have a 4 inch carpintis atm and after a lot of thinking I was planning on adding 1 lyonsi,1robertsoni, and 1 red ceibel to the tank. Just wanted honest opinions on this.
75 gallon CA stocking question
- Thread starter guru101
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In a bigger tank maybe... with that stock no.
I think you are going to be stocked with too many on the "large" side. The lyonsi and carpintis are both 12" fish, the Robertsoni 10" and the red ceibel about 7".
Thanks for the reply. I kinda felt the same way which is why wanted some other opinions. how about the red ceibal, robertsoni,and rio tempisque convict or possibly a JD instead of the robertsoni. Would that be a better option or should I just stay with the carpintis solo. Seems like he is growing a little slow 2-2.5 inches in 9 months though others have said this is normal growth
I find a dominant fish will usually tolerate other fish it does not feel threatened by. So if you keep one 12" fish in that tank he may not have an issue with lets say 5"-7" fish but really have it out for a 10" fish because it feels like it is more of a threat. At least that is the behavior I see with my cichlids.
Red ceibals are not tropical, but sub-tropical, and need a bit of a cool down to remain healthy. It doesn't need to be drastic, just a few months in the mid to high 60s.
This cool down would not bother the carpintus, but probably wouldn't be appreciated by the robertsoni and lyonsi.
When ceibals are kept in year round tropical temps, I find they become susceptible to disease, and fungal infections, and this is usually accompanied by robust tropical tankmates bullying them into a stress filled death.
This wouldn't be a problem if you have an extra unheated tank to put the ceibals in for a few months.
I keep mine in an unheated kiddy pool in the basement Oct thru May where temps dip into the 50sF where I overwinter other Uruguayan cichlids and pond fish.
This cool down would not bother the carpintus, but probably wouldn't be appreciated by the robertsoni and lyonsi.
When ceibals are kept in year round tropical temps, I find they become susceptible to disease, and fungal infections, and this is usually accompanied by robust tropical tankmates bullying them into a stress filled death.
This wouldn't be a problem if you have an extra unheated tank to put the ceibals in for a few months.
I keep mine in an unheated kiddy pool in the basement Oct thru May where temps dip into the 50sF where I overwinter other Uruguayan cichlids and pond fish.
I didn't know that, ty for telling me. I only have the means for the 75g atm so I will stay away from the ceibals. I really love lyonsi I just think there a great looking fish but I don't want to put them in the tank if its not likely to work. Jeff Rapps was actually the one who told 4 med-large in a 75 wouldn't be a problem as long as temperament an size were accounted for. He doesn't have any lyonsi atm but florida tropical fish direct actually does. I know Jeff had actually gave a few options including Amititlania Siquia, chocolate cichlid, gold jack, flier cichlid, Spectabilis, and heroina iso from the current stock. That's why I thought it might not be a prob to add a few to the tank. Might just wait and think it over
Man, with 75 gallons, you may find it better to have just one single fish. 75 isn't much to work with, it's to easy for almost any fish to lay claim to the entire tank. I currently have a pair of Chocolate Cichlids in a 75 and a pair of Pink Convicts. The Choco's give them hell.
Getting even two cichlids to coexist in a 4' tank can be a PITA. They wouldn't have shared a territory this size in the wild. Peace & love wasn't a successful evolutionary strategy. It's all about territory.
Keep the Carpintis, whatever you do. They're as cool as any fish in the hobby. I might try adding a Convict.
Keep the Carpintis, whatever you do. They're as cool as any fish in the hobby. I might try adding a Convict.