CA "rocky shores" community update log

[Gourami Swami]

Wanted to share my new set up, going to be a community of smaller-growing CA cichlids. Stocking on the heavy side, going all-males of cryptoheros species (with a few others thrown in), hoping to avoid any pairs forming. Took my inspiration from videos on youtube of lago Nicaragua and laguna xiloa, look I am going for is loose "rocky shores" CA biotope.

I will be updating this thread as the tank matures, and will add more fish pictures. Currently the stocking is:
4x ameca splendens
2x swordtails
1x zebra danio (refugee from another tank)
1x A. Sajica
1x A. Siquia "rio claro"
1x C. Cutteri
1x nicaraguense
1x n. nematopus

Thanks for viewing

 

[Stanzzzz7]

Like it.Should make a nice display when they all mature.

 

[heavyhitter]

Find some rocks that match the color of the background and it will tie together more. A couple long piece of decor to hide the seams in the background, off to a good start. Just my 2 bits Im no Takashi Amano!

 

[Gourami Swami]

Thanks guys, and heavy, I agree. I need to find some dark grey rocks, I guess I will have to go to a mason supply or something and get some slate pieces. I pulled these rocks from the hudson river (and boiled them), tried to get close on the color but didn't do so great haha. They do clash a bit less in person. I want more rocks anyway, and going to put a bit of manzanita wood that I have in here. This is far from the final picture I have in my mind, just a beginning.

 

[Alexxxxsv14]

Great beginning ! A male nano would be a great addition as well as a calico convict nice stock

 

[newworld]

Cichlid wise the sajica and cutteri are not found in Nicaragua...

 

[sevs and sajicas for me]

Nice set up! Love the stock you picked

 

[Gourami Swami]

Cichlid wise the sajica and cutteri are not found in Nicaragua...

Correct, I'm not doing a real biotope, just said that lago Nicaragua was an inspiration décor-wise. It's just going to be all central American fish... plus my zebra danio

Thanks people

 

[RD.]

Grey Limestone rocks would also look good. Should be a fun tank.

 

[Gourami Swami]

So things have changed up a bit... the Siquia "rio claro" was really vicious, even by convict standards. The cutteri I had looked like crap when I bought him (wanted to give him a chance), and the siquia badgering him didn't help either, so he passed on. Then the siquia started on the sajica, and I went and bought two Hericthys tamasopoensis to distribute the aggression... no luck, siquia was too mean. Beat one tamasopo up, and I'd had enough, took him back to the store. So now I have
2x Tamasopoensis
1x Sajica
1x Nicaraguense
1x neet
I think I'm going to add three of a smaller growing/less aggressive type, like septemfasciatus or nanoluteus, and then call it a day. The larger tamasopo is now the king of the tank, and he's not all that aggressive. Chases a little bit but not relentlessly, and doesn't actually bite.
Tamasopo

Sajica