beginner cichlid

[njpiranha]

I have a 180g that i have piranhas in and there not aggresive at all. Never get to see them yet and always freak out when i go to the tank. Im thinking of replacing them with cichlids but know nothing at all about them. Any suggestions? I heard oscars and red devils are aggresive and fun, can they be kept in the same tank? what else can i put with them? thanks

 

[piranha45]

180g would be a great setup for 1 big American cichlid and an assortment of african cichlids.

You could get 1 big American cichlid of your choice, such as: oscar, devil, midas, trimac, flowerhorn, managuense (jaguar), salvini, jack dempsey, texas, red terror, blackbelt, green terror.. pretty much whatever big American your LFSes sell that you like best. Excludes dovii, umbees, and peacock bass.

Then you get about 15 african cichlids. Just about any african cichlids whatsoever. Try to make sure they're all of fairly-similar size, and avoid the Tropheus species.

You get a tank with a nice centerpiece "bruiser", and then 10-15 other smaller aggressive fish. The tank will feature constant activity as the africans battle one another for territory, and they'll all indulge in any small fish you choose to feed them.


here's a good guide to many of the more common african species out there
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/species_profiles.php

 

[Vitaliy]

I would get two breeding Red Devils, Texas Cichlid, Red Terror, and maybe a Butti.

 

[ssmredman]

This are some really good fish u could use in your new tank they are easy to manage and are awsome looking especially wene fighting for territory.

i would get a breeding pair of german blue rams go here to see them http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=1084

A breeding pair of Double Full Red Cockatoo Cichlids go here to see them
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=1664

A breeding pair of Orange Cockatoo Cichlids go here to see them
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=1666

A breeding pair of Double Full Red Agassizi Cichlids go here to see them
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=1658

And a breeding pair of Red Star Flower Horn Cichlids go here to see
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=1994

And for your big dude a Peacock Bass (Ocellaris) go here to see them
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=910

 

[GTS]

This are some really good fish u could use in your new tank they are easy to manage and are awsome looking especially wene fighting for territory.

i would get a breeding pair of german blue rams go here to see them http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=1084

A breeding pair of Double Full Red Cockatoo Cichlids go here to see them
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=1664

A breeding pair of Orange Cockatoo Cichlids go here to see them
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=1666

A breeding pair of Double Full Red Agassizi Cichlids go here to see them
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=1658

And a breeding pair of Red Star Flower Horn Cichlids go here to see
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=1994

And for your big dude a Peacock Bass (Ocellaris) go here to see them
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=910

In my opinion it would be a massive waste of time to house any and all the dwarf cichlids you named in that tank.

If you are into hybrids the flowerhorns would work.

As for the peacock bass they are out of the question. They would easily get as long as a 180 is wide and they would be skittish and uncomfortable in it. I will tell you that a full grown peacock bass needs atleast a 265 gallon tank when full grown. ( that would be at a complete bare minimum.)

 

[ssmredman]

all of those fish i mentioned grow between 2 1/2 to 8 inches the biggest if the Red Star Flower Horn he gets up to 8 inches.

And besides like piranha54 said he needs a bruiser(big one) a Red Star Flower Horn Cichlid would be huge and the rest would be the small ones.


Here is a pix of a Red Star Flower Horn Cichlid.



View attachment 1097054

 

[GTS]

all of those fish i mentioned grow between 2 1/2 to 8 inches the biggest if the Red Star Flower Horn he gets up to 8 inches.

And besides like piranha54 said he needs a bruiser(big one) a Red Star Flower Horn Cichlid would be huge and the rest would be the small ones.


Here is a pix of a Red Star Flower Horn Cichlid.

You are so wrong its not even funny..

Cichla ocellaris aka the butterfly peacock bass will hit 22"+. Its very obivious that you are getting your info from live aquaria. They might be selling the peacock bass at a small size but they will grow over 20".
The red star horn will most likely hit 14" seeing how its contains trimac blood.

FYI live aquaria it not good place for information on cichlids...

Also based on the pm you just sent me. You dont have much knowledge about cichlids. That of course is alright let me explain..

All the fish you listed are dwarf cichlids(all rams and cackatoos are considered dwarf cichlid) ...Except for the cichla ocellaris which will top 20" and the flowerhorn which is a trimac and midas hybrid which will top 12" with ease.