Biggest American Cichlid I Could Keep in a 5 ft Tank?

[Bozatronia]

Hi All,

I am planning on getting a 5 ft x 18 in wide x 24 in high tank soon, and love he large American cichlids.

I was wondering what the biggest cichlid would be that I could keep in a tank this size, and if you have any suggestions for the type of cichlids that I could house.

Thanks!!

 

[Chockful O Phail]

W/o knowing any particulars I’d say an Amph like Tmac or Citrinellus will give you the best experience with that size tank/fish, + it’ll cure you of wanting to keep tankmates. A pair of Lyonsi? would be great in that size tank.

 

[Chockful O Phail]

If you don’t care about hybrids, any of the Flowerhorns would be fine.

 

[Chicxulub]

Moved to Central and South American Cichlids

 

[Rocksor]

I would say a cichlid that does not get any larger than 10" total length. For instance, like a jack dempsey or green terror. The females of many cichlids in the Americas do tend to be smaller than their male counterparts, rarely reaching over 10". One of the few exception would be a female oscar or female lugubris crenicichla.

Is your water hard or soft from the tap (not the PH but general hardness)? The answer would make recommendations easier.

 

[Trimapit]

Amphilophus species

 

[Bozatronia]

I would say a cichlid that does not get any larger than 10" total length. For instance, like a jack dempsey or green terror. The females of many cichlids in the Americas do tend to be smaller than their male counterparts, rarely reaching over 10". One of the few exception would be a female oscar or female lugubris crenicichla.

Is your water hard or soft from the tap (not the PH but general hardness)? The answer would make recommendations easier.

Thanks so much for your suggestions. My water is soft.

 

[Bozatronia]

I would say a cichlid that does not get any larger than 10" total length. For instance, like a jack dempsey or green terror. The females of many cichlids in the Americas do tend to be smaller than their male counterparts, rarely reaching over 10". One of the few exception would be a female oscar or female lugubris crenicichla.

Is your water hard or soft from the tap (not the PH but general hardness)? The answer would make recommendations easier.

Are you saying I could keep a JD or green terror with my EBA? I love those fish too!!

 

[Rocksor]

Are you saying I could keep a JD or green terror with my EBA? I love those fish too!!

I would not. They are more aggressive and much larger than an electric blue acara.

You can add angelfish or festivum cichlids.