The tanks a fair size, so I wanted a couple of nice cichlids in there, rather than 1. I think a red devil or midas would kill anything else put with it so probably not the best option for me.
Advice on new cichlid tank setup
- Thread starter Beano
- Start date
Most CA's will kill another competing cichlid in a tank that size tbh. Nice width and height though. You might be able to combine smaller less aggressive with some Meekii.
duanes
duanes
Thanks, it was the biggest tank I could fit ?Most CA's will kill another competing cichlid in a tank that size tbh. Nice width and height though. You might be able to combine smaller less aggressive with some Meekii.
You could do CAs or SAs. You could have your oscar if you want, and then just stick to some smaller (6"ish) cichlids to live with him. There is a chance the oscar will be aggressive to them, but more often they are not so bad. Some geophagus would work as your other cichlids, or perhaps acaras or guianacara. Could probably do a green terror or severum as well, though they can get mean and may clash with the 6"ish fish, moreso the GT. Some spotted silver dollars or a pinktail chalceus could finish off the stock.
As for CA, the bigger fish tend to be more aggressive than those from SA (with exceptions), so for example something like a Trimac would probably need to be alone in this size. But you can keep convicts with *almost* anything, could have your big centerpiece and a couple breeding pairs of convcits. Or, a community of less aggressive CA fish such as thoricthys, cribroheros, etc. would work. Some of these get pretty big like 10-12".
These are a couple of examples of type of setup you could do, the fish can be changed with similar species for the most part. I also tend to keep livebearers like swordtails with CAs that aren't overly predatory.
As for CA, the bigger fish tend to be more aggressive than those from SA (with exceptions), so for example something like a Trimac would probably need to be alone in this size. But you can keep convicts with *almost* anything, could have your big centerpiece and a couple breeding pairs of convcits. Or, a community of less aggressive CA fish such as thoricthys, cribroheros, etc. would work. Some of these get pretty big like 10-12".
These are a couple of examples of type of setup you could do, the fish can be changed with similar species for the most part. I also tend to keep livebearers like swordtails with CAs that aren't overly predatory.
I agree with the others, the tank is a bit small for most larger cichlids (including oscars or those that reach a foot in length).Most CA's will kill another competing cichlid in a tank that size tbh. Nice width and height though. You might be able to combine smaller less aggressive with some Meekii.
I usually find tanks no shorter than 72" in length are minimum for those size cichlids.
Without the oscar the rest of list may work in that space, and also would enjoy the same water parameters.
Oscars do best in softer water, mineral poor conditions, while JDs, FMs, from Mexico, and Andinoacara from west of the Andes come from high alkaline, more mineral rich conditions
When they are adults, if you choose H carpintus, you may only have enough space for one carpintus, or a mated pair.
They get large, and require a large territory to themselves, and if it is not provided, they can get very aggressive.
I believe smaller and more mild mannered species such as Cribroheros will be at a disadvantage.
Here is an alpha male H carpintus.
In a similar size tank to the one you mention, it would not allow any cichlid tank mates as an adult (its around 10-12" in the photo).
I have found shoaling types like Cribroheros, and Thorichthys do best in the company of their own kind, and "not" other territorially belligerent types like Herichthys.
They get large, and require a large territory to themselves, and if it is not provided, they can get very aggressive.
I believe smaller and more mild mannered species such as Cribroheros will be at a disadvantage.
Here is an alpha male H carpintus.
In a similar size tank to the one you mention, it would not allow any cichlid tank mates as an adult (its around 10-12" in the photo).
I have found shoaling types like Cribroheros, and Thorichthys do best in the company of their own kind, and "not" other territorially belligerent types like Herichthys.
I agree, if going with the cribroheros/thoricthys, best to keep to similar species, the hericthys are a good bit tougher. The cribs and most eartheater-type cichlids have weaker jaws and don't stand up to a lip-lock with something like a texas.
Plenty of species in thoricthys genus and cribroheros/astatheros that would work together. The smaller meeker convict-types like hrp, a. myrnae, septemfasciatus, etc would also go well with this type of setup.
Plenty of species in thoricthys genus and cribroheros/astatheros that would work together. The smaller meeker convict-types like hrp, a. myrnae, septemfasciatus, etc would also go well with this type of setup.
