Cichla Newbe Questions: What Is Everyone favorite?

[Superlaz]

agreed....
but monos and orinos both can get to 2 feet or bigger...
most species will.

kelberi and intermedia are supposed to get smaller.
but both are hard to find and expensive.
although kelberi are becoming much easier to find now adays at low prices.

I understand the point being made. It seems to me a lot of cichla enthusiasts like to throw the keberi and Intermedia sizes out there...BUT it will be a WHILE before you even have to worry about that. Most newbies go through a few Cichla before they get a hang on them. Even if they do well right off the bat, you have a good couple of years before they are approaching those "max" sizes. At which point you've usually upgraded.

A 5x2 tank is fine for a growout tank for the next two years. However I wouldn't recommend this for Tem's or Pinima...

 

[The True Guapote]

I'd say any of the reccomendations made by others are good, you probably won't find Intermedia, that's just a simple fact.
Right now small Orinos are available through several vendors, so you might think of picking up these guys and growing them out, they look amazing when they get big and from what I understand and what has been stated they grow pretty slow. I wouldn't start them out in your 5x2 tank, a 20/30 gallon tank would be much better as these guys are tiny right now. If you can find Kelberi, they would be a nice choice too.
Basically it comes down to how much you want to spend on the fish and how many you want.

 

[channarox]

I understand the point being made. It seems to me a lot of cichla enthusiasts like to throw the keberi and Intermedia sizes out there...BUT it will be a WHILE before you even have to worry about that. Most newbies go through a few Cichla before they get a hang on them. Even if they do well right off the bat, you have a good couple of years before they are approaching those "max" sizes. At which point you've usually upgraded.

A 5x2 tank is fine for a growout tank for the next two years. However I wouldn't recommend this for Tem's or Pinima...

i agree....thats why i said they are SUPPOSED to get that small from what ive read.
and i totally agree that 5x2 will last a pretty long time...

 

[CichlidsGoneWild]

Thank you for all the input. Orinos it is! Hopefully, the local vendors here still have some available.