CA Stocking help

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mdi2001

mdi2001

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Sep 18, 2009
51
0
36
San Diego, CA
Thinking about downgrading my 3.5" Green Texas Cichlid, 4" Nicraguense, 3" Salvini (all female cichlids) with 9 Rainbow fish from my 85 gallon (48" x 18" x 23") to my 60 gallon tank (48" x 15.5" x 18"). Will be running emperor 400 and rena xp 2 on it for filters. Only aggression is the Nic and Salvani chasing the Texas around. Do think they would be alright in there for another year till I can get a bigger tank? Trying to get some red head tapajos, but wanted give them the extra 2.5 inch of floor space. Do you guys think it would even make a difference?
 
What type of rainbows are they? If they are a smaller species, then it should be no problem. If they are a larger species, such as M.bosemani, then problems could arise. The cichlids should be fine, provided with a normal cichlids setup, that is mainly, lots of hiding places, provided by wood, rocks, and plants (plastic in the case of vicious cichlids). However, a year may be a little too much for the cichlids, as they will grow to a good 8"-10" in that time, provided with a normal and stable diet. 6 months would be better for them.
 
Nope I have two bosemanis, a red, 3 blue kabuntus, 1 mellinium, and two others i forgot name of. Have plenty of hiding spaces, and real plants which they have not touched yet. The salvini and nic should stay around 6" since there female right? Guess I'll just keep the geos in the 60 gallon tell they get a little bigger than upgrade an a year. Thanks for the reply
 
My texas is nearly two years old and is only 6". I grew her up in a 75 and she is now in a 125. I think they grow slow. You should be okay in my opinion but I would keep a back up plan in case aggression arises.
 
My green texas has probably grown an inch in last two months. When I bought the texas it was a lot smaller than the nic and salvini so they picked on her a lot. She is almost as big as the nic now so aggression has died down a little. hopefully it works out.
 
salvini will be too aggressive for green texas in a 60g
 
Yes, sorry, the Nic and Salvini should reach their full size, or pretty close to it, while the texas continues to grow. Either way, the aggression in the tank would be too much for the three, and two will end up bailing, probably the green texas and the Nic.

But some rainbows in as target fish, but leave the largest ones out.
 
The aggression will be pretty close to the same, as the floor space is only increased by 96 square inches, which isn't really a lot in this tank. I say, if you want this to be as peaceful a CA community could be, get one larger species, for example, a Vieja, and have a few smaller species, possibly pairs, for example, firemouths, cutteri, sajicas, panamas... Of course individuals can be more aggressive tan others, but thats the thing with Central American Cichlids, it's always trial, error, and a bit of luck...
 
Looks like I'm learning the hard way. I'll see how they do over the next 6 months. What Vieja do you suggest Eric? I thought they got up about 14", would a Vieja really work in a 85? Thanks everyone for the advice
 
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