any info on cuban cichlids?

[ElectricBlueSeanBurch]

I had a male @ 5.5". He was the meanest fish I've ever owned. He claimed 3/4's of my 220g. Killed my FM, shredded a 7" green sev, and chased everything else relentlessly. So I took it back to the lfs. At the lfs he killed two RD's and a pike cichlid. Still by far one of the best looking cichlids though. I will own a pair one day!

 

[WckedMidas]

i might go back and get another i think the one i got is a female ima go try get some pics

 

[surfpalmsncycads]

my pair is in a 60 right now and the female is really beating the crap out of the male. im moving them into a 100 tonight. hope that gives them more room to breed again. ill try n get some pics once they are in there new home.

 

[rrcoolj]

Get more than just 2. If they are not compatible they will eliminate each other.

 

[aclockworkorange]

Here's a cell phone pic of my pair:

They are doing the "head shake" dance in that picture.

I definitely have had the same experience with the fry being aggressive to each other! I don't think I've seen anything quite like it. Pure evil at less than one inch. However, I have a VERY strong pair who never show any aggression to each other, which is key with these guys long term. Forced pairing will likely end in death, best to let a natural pair form from a group.
At one point mine were fine with other fish, but once I moved them to their own tank for a couple days they won't tolerate anything I try to introduce. I haven't tried to move them to another tank, but those two by themselves are more than enough entertainment. I currently have them in a 90 gallon but I am moving them to my 125 by themselves in a week or two. I think 125 is a nice tank size for an adult pair.

 

[duanes]

aclockwork is right, trying to force a pair could very likely end up disaster for one. Getting 5 or 6 and letting them sort it out is more likely to work. Although if you end up with a bonded pair, they will then more than likely, kill all your other fish.

 

[rrcoolj]

Agree with the above. My pair are nasty to any fish smaller than or the same size as they are. I just moved my midas pair out and the cubans run the tank. There is no way I could introduce same size/smaller fish. Like their parents though they are very well bonded and are pretty gentle toward each other. They are looking more like their parents every day.