Cichlid Newbie Help
- Thread starter Greg31
- Start date
HiImSean;3473787; said:
I guess maybe if he's new to keeping fish all together, it might not be the best plan.
But i know for a fact that it can work out fine, with for instance a GT in a 20g. Where 6" would be a good time to switch to a 40+g and 8" it would HAVE to move out.
Considering what a fully grown 12" GT requires.
A 55 is a minimum for a g/t. Red devils and jags are bigger then g/t. G/t is one of the most rewarding fish I've ever kept. Amle male green terror by itself will become very owner responsive and will even learn to do tricks for food. I had a male that would "throw" ping pong balls out of the tank when I threw them in. This was only during feeding time and a top should always be on the tank. As stated they are a little disease prone but easily cured when they get sick. My green terror used to let me pet it too. That's my vote Green Terror. Red devils and jags are also a blast. I've kept all three but I wouldent keep a red devil in anything smaller then a 75 gallon and the jag in a 120. IME.
HrHagel;3473844; said:
telling things like that to a new fish keep is what leads to bad fish keeping IMO. tell them that it's a good grow out tank size is ok. but not when it's their only tank. they think "hey he looks ok at 6" in my 20g, he can last a little longer." then it turns into "he's 10", he can last longer." even a 40g breeder isn't a good size because of the 36" length. a 48x12 foot print is minimum for most middle sized cichlids IMO
if your going to upgrade anyway then just get the bigger tank and use the 20g for something else. saves moving the fish and equipment as you upgrade.
if you have to save for the bigger tank making you wait a while and then get the cichlid at a later date once you have it. you may find that you may be able to give the fish a 75g instead of a 55 due to extra money coming in, maybe even a bigger tank so you can have a community type situation with a Gt, midas, etc.
on the other hand, you may find that you cant afford the larger tank and then you will be glad you dont have to find a home for a large possibly aggressive cichlid.
anyone can say they are gonna upgrade but only a few actually do. HiImSean has a good point.
if you have to save for the bigger tank making you wait a while and then get the cichlid at a later date once you have it. you may find that you may be able to give the fish a 75g instead of a 55 due to extra money coming in, maybe even a bigger tank so you can have a community type situation with a Gt, midas, etc.
on the other hand, you may find that you cant afford the larger tank and then you will be glad you dont have to find a home for a large possibly aggressive cichlid.
anyone can say they are gonna upgrade but only a few actually do. HiImSean has a good point.
Fyi look into salvini they are beautiful. Unlessyou are stuck on a g/t , red devil or jag. And females stay small but they still need a bigger tank. Do a crap load of research. A lot of it. I've been keeping fish 13 years and I still research everyday.
HrHagel;3474021; said:
he did say that but we've also seen alot of posters on here who pack their tanks intending to upgrade which never happens.
get a jack dempsey or a GT, they grow pretty slow in my experience, which will give you enough time to get a bigger tank, when you get that bigger tank, trade in the JD or GT at your petstore toget store credit towards a Jag or a Red Devil. its how I gotmy first Jag
