Cichlid suggestions and pics of my current setup and fish. (any advice appreciated)

[relyk]

Hi guys, so I want to add another cichlid to my current setup but my BP is a huge jerk and tends to harrass any other cichlid I put in until they die. My tank is a 33 gallon which I know is going to be too small for 2 full grown cichlids but at the moment my fish are very small and there is more than enough hiding spots I have created. My BP is maybe 4" at most probably less and he's harassed a gold severum until it died, as well as a geophagus leucosticta (this one actually fought back and could take the blood parrot but it was too sweet and friendly and eventually was harassed to death) I tried to save both but it was too late.

I will definitely be getting a 75 gallon+ tank within a year so I think my 33 gallon will be more than enough in the meantime especially with all of the hiding places I have. I just need something that can defend itself against my BP but isn't a complete jerk that will go after my other fish (angelfish, opaline gourami, bolivian ram) as the BP leaves them alone just doesn't like other cichlids his size.

Sorry for the long post i'm just trying to fill you guys on the small details, also the BP leaves my bolivian ram alone, it's just cichlids he finds as a threat that are similar in size.

Any suggestions? I know a lot of you will say 33 gallon is too small but I have good filtration and do 20% water changes every 3-4 days plus I think I have more hiding spaces than most ppl.

I've also thought about getting rid of this BP and just getting 2 other cichlids but I have kind of grown attached to him as my pet as he has quite an odd personality and I don't want somebody sticking him in a 10 gallon for the rest of it's life or something

Thanks for all of the help in advance ^^

and here's some pics for you guys.

bolivian + angel

gourami

jerk blood parrot

the tank

As you can see my tank looks quite empty like this most of the time which I really don't like. there is a lot of swimming space and hiding spots that aren't occupied which I think 2 nice cichlids should be able to co-exist as long as they can handle this Blood Parrot that thinks he's an RD.

(Also can't do tetra's my BP eats them all when they're sleeping, seriously, he also ate an apple snail I had within 2 days after putting him in.) His mouth defect is kind of non-existent as well, he doesn't have a lot of the regular features of a BP.

 

[kosta]

great looking tank set up. Might try some Danios they are fast and stay at the top.

 

[relyk]

great looking tank set up. Might try some Danios they are fast and stay at the top.

Thanks so much!

I was thinking about danios before to maybe act as a dither for the BP, it's tough to maintain so many fish though, I had 13 rummynose tetras and it was stressful making sure everybody got their shares of food, stupid BP ate them all, i swear the fish is crazy. sometimes I wish I didn't get any other fish and just got 2 cichlids, would be much easier to maintain lol.

Do you think it would probably be best to not add another cichlid? Even if it was a small one for a year or so until I get a bigger tank.? It just seems like there is sooooo much space available in the tank right now that they should be ok until they grow to 6+"

 

[white15]

How attached are you to the BP? I suggest selling him back to the fish store and then you can get a couple of young smaller cichlids. Another suggestion is when you add in the new fish, change around all the aquascaping and keep the lights off for a couple of days so the BP isn't as dominant in terms of territory.

 

[relyk]

How attached are you to the BP? I suggest selling him back to the fish store and then you can get a couple of young smaller cichlids. Another suggestion is when you add in the new fish, change around all the aquascaping and keep the lights off for a couple of days so the BP isn't as dominant in terms of territory.

Pretty attached to him in a way where i'd feel bad giving him back just not knowing what kind of home he'll be going to, I hate him but love him at the same time, I hate him for making my life difficult, but I love him because he's funny and weird.

He is a cichlid so I know he will be aggressive which is fine, but when it's constantly tormenting other cichlids it gets irritating, I kind of want to get one that would be able to kick his ass but just doesn't go picking fights with other fish for no reason like he does. Usually I think most cichlids just get territorial over their spot but this one will just harrass other cichlids similar in size even when they aren't near him he'll seek them out to ram them.

I usually rearrange the decor but I never turned the lights off, I should try this one does it really help?

I also picked up a 10 gallon hospital tank recently that I could could put him in for a week or so while the other cichlid establishes territory but ahh i'm not sure.

If there was a way i'd prefer to leave him in there but just add something else if it would work, I know my tank is small again but it would only be for less than a year and i'll have a bigger tank 100% I already have the money for it just waiting to move.

 

[tjfish]

Hello relyk.
I have kept many cichlids (including a couple BPs).
My advice is to absolutely rearrange everything in the tank, hiding places, plants logs rocks everything when adding a new cichlid and having aggression problems. when i have a particularly stubborn case like yours, i will combine a couple of the methods. Like say remove the aggressor (your BP) to a seperate tank long enough to introduce the new guy(s) and let them get well settled and comfortable in the tank, as well as rearrange everything, then try putting the BP back in the tank.
To explain why this works (most of the time), it is a lil mind trick you will be playing on your BP that if done successfully will make him think he is the new kid on the block, and possibly not be quite so aggressive toward the guys you introduced while he was removed as his territory will no longer be there and he will be starting over claiming what he can thats not already taken.
Its not 100% but it may work for you.
I had one Jack Dempsy that was like that and i had to go so far as to smooth out the sand with my hand to make it flat again otherwise he kept claiming the same indention in the sand as his territory as soon as he was back in the tank lol.
Hope this helps

 

[relyk]

Hello relyk.
I have kept many cichlids (including a couple BPs).
My advice is to absolutely rearrange everything in the tank, hiding places, plants logs rocks everything when adding a new cichlid and having aggression problems. when i have a particularly stubborn case like yours, i will combine a couple of the methods. Like say remove the aggressor (your BP) to a seperate tank long enough to introduce the new guy(s) and let them get well settled and comfortable in the tank, as well as rearrange everything, then try putting the BP back in the tank.
To explain why this works (most of the time), it is a lil mind trick you will be playing on your BP that if done successfully will make him think he is the new kid on the block, and possibly not be quite so aggressive toward the guys you introduced while he was removed as his territory will no longer be there and he will be starting over claiming what he can thats not already taken.
Its not 100% but it may work for you.
I had one Jack Dempsy that was like that and i had to go so far as to smooth out the sand with my hand to make it flat again otherwise he kept claiming the same indention in the sand as his territory as soon as he was back in the tank lol.
Hope this helps

Wow these tips are good! Especially the sand and everything, never thought about that even though it is the BP who has arranged the sand to his liking. Maybe I'll take him out and put him in the 10g hospital tank for a week add other cichlids rearrange everything including the sand and then maybe when I add BP back I'll keep the lights off.

Now its just deciding on what cichlid would be good to add to the tank. I was hoping to get something with good personality although the ones with the most personality seem to be 10+" full grown, I guess wouldn't be too bad though if I move into bigger tank within a year

Hmm , thx for all the tips so far everyone, you're giving me confidence that I still have a chance!

 

[tjfish]

Sounds like a good plan.
As for cichlids with good amount of personality...They all have their unique personality it seems like the larger ones develope more personality, but all cichlids have personality IMO, i think we as humans just relate more to larger species.
To really be able to suggest a good addition in the long run it would be good to know what size tank you will be upgrading to, and keep in mind even if you have a tank big enough to house a given 10+" cichlid, it may end up seeing your smaller ones as a snack, so you have to bear in mind the growth potentials of your current fish if you plan to keep them as well and not have them be a meal eventually lol.

All that being said, i am very partial to flower horns and Jack dempsy. I like jaguars too but dont have a great deal of experience with them to give recommendations on them.
I have a flowerhorn now that is huge, and has more personality than alot of dogs do lol. However he is in a 75 gallon tank alone due to the fact that he will kill anything i put in with him...He's been that way since he was about 2".
Feel free to hit me up on Yahoo IM as well if you have any questions when im not on here. (My Yahoo name is in my profile)

 

[ahud]

Seems like you are trying to much in a tank too small. Your BP is not psychotic, he simply claimed the whole tank. Hiding places are all fine and dandy, but they don't take the place of territory.

What is the length of the tank?

 

[rich_one]

Dude, I'm not going to lie to you. In my honest opinion, a pair of Rainbow Cichlids would look ridiculously cool in that tank! Not monsters, but PERFECT for that setup, imho.

Good luck!

-Rich