Any tips before I get my cichlid

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Cichlidsforlife

Cichlidsforlife

Gambusia
MFK Member
Feb 5, 2018
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so I have decided to go with either a Cuban cichlid male or a Texas cichlid and I was wondering if anyone had any tips about the setup or the diet or how to make sure the fish can stay healthy anything is appreciated, I plan to keep one and a pleco in a 75 gallon tank. Thanks
 
Well I know I’m getting the tank and immediately after it cycles I will get my fish, but the Texas and Cuban are my top picks and I just want to hear a little about experiences with them before I make a final decision. Or do you think I’m getting too far ahead of myself, there is a tank at my LFS that was used for 2 days as a display tank and is on high discount.
 
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I think your getting excited and jumping ahead of yourself. You have plenty of time. Find the tank you want, then figure out how you want to set it up.

Your enthusiasm is great, I get it. Love to see new passion enter the hobby. But there is a lot to figure out before you just right to buying the fish you want. I’m just gonna list a couple and I hope their helpful to you. My best advice is take it slow and enjoy the process.

After you get your tank there is a few things you will want to consider. Filtration, heating, extra water flow, substrate, decor, lighting, backgrounds. For instance, have you looked into bare bottom tanks vs gravel or sand tanks? Maybe you like more natural sand and leaf litter?
Do you want plants? Or just some rocks and driftwood, or maybe a castle and spongebob house. Many many options, BUT figuring them out is easily half the fun. Do you like the look of bubble wands vs Powerheads? Or will you overfilter and not use either?

Find your tank, figure your equipment out. Find a scape you like, google cichlid aquarium scape, or use the search feature on this forum and look at other members tanks. You may find out that what you want right now, isn’t actually what you want. I’ve had single fish tanks and I’m not gonna lie when their smaller it is tough, sure when you have one big beautiful fish it looks great, but when you have to sit through a year of hardly seeing your fish because its 3 inches and hides it gets hard.

I don’t recommend cycling with your cichlid you’ve chosen “in tank” leave that to a mollie or two if you so choose to go the “fish in tank” route. And on that note, research the aquarium cycle. You’ll have time during the cycling process to narrow down exactly what you want.

And lastly because I don’t want to make you read a book for a response. Do you know what “Texas” cichlid you actually want?
Herichthys cyanoguttatus
Or
Herichthys Carpintis?

Learn alittle about their scientific names, it’s a pain in the ass. But it will greatly help you actually be able to tell the difference between the many fish that share common names. And above all, welcome to the hobby may it be life long.
 
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Wow thanks so much, I am pretty excited to keep a nice fish, but do you have any idea about how big Cuban cichlids get, also if I got a pleco should it be a non-fancy one in case the cichlid attacks it? How fast do Texas cichlids grow? Thanks!!!!!
 
I have a male Tex in a 75gl, he is very tranquil, most likely cause his only tank mates are two loachs a pleco, he is very shy when the lights are on & doesn't beg for food like a Oscar or R/D, if you want a interactive fish I would go with a Cuban, most all cichlids have individual personalities, just letting you know about my experience with Carpintis,,
 
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Nandopsis Tetracanthus (Cuban cichlids)
Normally grow to around 10 inches or so. Some alittle larger and some alittle smaller as with all cichlids.

As for your pleco, I don’t ever recommend common pleco’s I’m just not a fan, they get huge I currently have 2ft plecos in my pond atm. And their giant waste factories. But, to each his own. Although your logic is sounds, if your cichlid decides to kill it, common plecos are cheap.

As for Texas cichlids, you need to tell me which your Referring to.
 
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Covetous said:
Nandopsis Tetracanthus (Cuban cichlids)
Normally grow to around 10 inches or so. Some alittle larger and some alittle smaller as with all cichlids.

As for your pleco, I don’t ever recommend common pleco’s I’m just not a fan, they get huge I currently have 2ft plecos in my pond atm. And their giant waste factories. But, to each his own. Although your logic is sounds, if your cichlid decides to kill it, common plecos are cheap.

As for Texas cichlids, you need to tell me which your Referring to.
Click to expand...
Agree with the common plec, mine is pushing 8" & my wife complains about all the waste over the white sand, although he keeps the glass clean, the amount of crap he produces is unreal,, lol
 
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As stated: Always do research on the fish before buying it. Know where it comes from. Local habitats. Scientific names. Other fish that may be in the trade that share the same habitat. Best diet. Choose a staple commercial pellet food, but also decide what if any other foods you are willing and want to feed. Figure out your filtration and circulation. The more research you do, the more you figure out what you want. And more you will enjoy the species you pick.
 
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What are differences between green and common Texas cichlids? What size do Cubans start to become interactive?
 
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