Cichlid room

[sbrady5pts]

I just finished my fish wall build with 2 90's & 2 125's and just got my first cichlid order from TUIC.. Here is the list
6 Istlanum
6 White Beani
6 Umbee
pair grammodes
pair of Cubans
Pair of Freddys
I am very excited about the potentiial of all these little guys and wanted to share, I will get pics of wall/room/fish this weekend

 

[sbrady5pts]

would you recomend growing all fish out together, or seperating by species?

 

[cchhcc]

I would always try to grow them out with other fish. It makes for a more stable and often healthier fish. The stress of isolation is enough to cause health problems, but the constant threat of aggression between mates is obviously a chief concern too.

Mixing "unlike" fish is often a good recipe, but you've got a lot of similarity there. Be careful mixing the grammies, istlanums, and freddies. I think you should add some non-cichlids to the mix to give the cichlids something to worry about other than each other. Large livebearers, silver dollars, large tetras, etc. (I'm assuming you didn't get large specimens. Correct?) The more activity the better, and the less aggression you'll see --- less deaths too (to the cichlids at least!).

Great list of fish!

 

[VRWC]

Great list of fish...but I foresee a possible loss of at least 10 fish and as fast as umbees grow, not a single place to keep 1 umbee, let alone 6 by the end of summer.

Just my opinions and not trying to rain on the parade, because ALL of those fish are awesome and Id love to be able to keep them altogether as well.

My reasoning/experiences:

Umbees can grow 1-1.5 inches a month and usually by around 6-7 or so inches, they dont want tankmates, especially other umbees.

I recently purchased istlanum from Jeff as well, 4 of them, and the most dominant 1 killed the other 3 in about 12 days. They HATED each other and I wish I would have separated them. They are extremely prone to bloat, as are the beani.

If you house the beani altogether in a tank and the istlanum together in a tank, I dont think youll have but 1 of each within 3 weeks (or even mix them together) and be lucky to have the 1 remaining not get bloated from stress.

I think (depending on their size) that even 3 umbees (undivided) in a 125 will be problematic as well with aggression.

I dont think the cubans, grammodes or cubans will be an issue (again, depending on their sizes).

Good Luck and keep us updated please. Id LOVE to learn that none of what could potentially happen, happened.

 

[NorCaliCichlids]

I agree with both of the above. I'm assuming they are all really small so they should be ok for now but anything can happen when you mix that many very aggressive cichlids. I'd add some giant danios or goodeids or some other livebearer types for sure. Aussie rainbowfish get fairly large and make good target/dithers.

I'd probably mix them up a bit. All the fish you listed are very sensitive to water quality especially the Beani and Istlanum so the more spread out they are among difft tanks the better chance you'll have. Expect casualties thats just the way of aggressive cichlids and make sure you are REALLY on top of water changes and have really good filtration. I would only feed veggie based foods for a long time. I recommend Omega One Veggie Kelp Flakes. Low protein and my Istlanum fry loved it.

 

[Adhlc]

As stated before, excellent stock list. What do you plan on doing with that many Umbees though?

 

[pckts]

i know my grammy killed the other the same day i put them in the tank, heard from other members that is common among grammys. Recommend getting a few more.
Might aswell get some doviis, black nastys, and jags aswell. Then youll have all my favorite fish.

 

[sbrady5pts]

All fish in the grow out tank are about 2inches...I have everyone in a 125 right now that is loaded with decorations and rock caves..I will be adding a non aggressive school to the tank as well.. As the umbee start to outgrow everyone I will move them to their own 125, once a pair is made I will move the pair to my 210..I have 6 of each to hopefully end of up with pairs of all species...Once they start to pair of I will sell the additional fish. I better get back to work, I will update this weekend

 

[MATTCB]

nice selection of fish butwhat do you plan on doing in the future? that is to many fish for those four tanks.

 

[LOPAKA]

I just finished my fish wall build with 2 90's & 2 125's and just got my first cichlid order from TUIC.. Here is the list
6 Istlanum
6 White Beani
6 Umbee
pair grammodes
pair of Cubans
Pair of Freddys
I am very excited about the potentiial of all these little guys and wanted to share, I will get pics of wall/room/fish this weekend

Great stock !!! I would say spread them out amongst different tanks but like previously mentioned keep them in small numbered groups. Be sure to keep a close eye on them as you as some very aggresive fish on that list.