Biggest 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 the large American cichlids and oscars.

I was wondering what the biggest cichlid or oscar 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!!

 

[J. H.]

A wet pet? A breeding pair? a community? These are very different situations, which will allow for different size fish.

 

[Bozatronia]

A wet pet? A breeding pair? a community? These are very different situations, which will allow for different size fish.

I currently have an electric blue acara that I would move into the tank, so a fish that would do well with him would be great. I'm not really interested in a breeding pair at the moment.

Thanks!

 

[J. H.]

I currently have an electric blue acara that I would move into the tank, so a fish that would do well with him would be great. I'm not really interested in a breeding pair at the moment.

Thanks!

that greatly restricts your stocking, as whatever you would have to get would have to be small and gentle enough not to threaten the acara. I will give a few possible options:
Geophagus - pretty gentle, and some get decent sized. The only thing that can match a group of them for grace and beauty would be Frontosa/Gibberosa (They are not an option) Severums - big, robust, and gentle, but won't mix well with plants. JDs, flag cichlids, the smaller crencichla - nice fish, might be a little rough for an acara. It's heresy, I know, but Malawi Peacocks, or Altolamprologus would be great for that tank, if you don't keep the ph too low. Thorichthys has a few species that would work really well.

 

[Bozatronia]

that greatly restricts your stocking, as whatever you would have to get would have to be small and gentle enough not to threaten the acara. I will give a few possible options:
Geophagus - pretty gentle, and some get decent sized. The only thing that can match a group of them for grace and beauty would be Frontosa/Gibberosa (They are not an option) Severums - big, robust, and gentle, but won't mix well with plants. JDs, flag cichlids, the smaller crencichla - nice fish, might be a little rough for an acara. It's heresy, I know, but Malawi Peacocks, or Altolamprologus would be great for that tank, if you don't keep the ph too low. Thorichthys has a few species that would work really well.

Thanks so much for getting back to me so quick! I thought you would say that....I guess I will have to think of my options, as I'd love a big cichlid (love the flowerhorns!) or oscar.

 

[Covetous]

Electric Blue Acara’s aren’t that tough. Much softer then their more natural counterparts.

I’d plan around the fish you already have, maybe think on doing a harem. Or do a community tank, perhaps angels, Discus, rams, possibly a group of earth eaters, the smaller growers at least. Maybe, a severum. Although that’s a toss up.

If It was me, I’d plant the tank with sturdy plants, and then get two or three more EBA and then a large group of top columns type fish. Barbs, swordtails, mollies, guppies. Or perhaps if you want to mix it up. Angels would probably do fine with the acaras. I’ve even seen discus kept with EBA, although I don’t know if I’d try it.

Good luck

 

[J. H.]

Thanks so much for getting back to me so quick! I thought you would say that....I guess I will have to think of my options, as I'd love a big cichlid (love the flowerhorns!) or oscar.

Gymnogeophagus Balzanii & Gymnogenys & Geophagus Tapajos have big koks like FHs. You could probably keep some big barbs like bala sharks, too.

 

[Bozatronia]

Wow you guys are so great!!

I currently have the EBA in a 3 ft, 45G tank. What if I kept him in there and then freed up the 5ft for either one large wet pet or a couple of large fish? What would be my options then?

 

[Gourami Swami]

plenty of options for a solo wet pet in that size tank. Istlanum, lyonsi, beani, tetracanthus, to name a few. Any fish that gets to 12" or so would be okay in there.

 

[dan518]

+1 to the above, all very good suggestions,