Cichlids...

[jwitty]

Would like to get some knowledge on cichlids. Never had them before don’t know a thing about them besides they can get pretty aggressive. How do you know what cichlids can live together? Do they require any special treatment compared to the typical tetra, gourami, shark, etc tank? Do they require big tank? Anything else about them? Thank been kinda thinking of cichlids just don’t know yet.

 

[Rocksor]

First find out what if you have hard water or soft water, which in measured with a GH kit. The next thing to find out is what your buffering capacity is (KH), and then the PH. Finally, determine the largest tank you can have while still being able to do at least 50% water changes every week. From there we can point you to the right direction of cichlids, since they range from a few inches to a couple of feet.

https://www.amazon.com/API-TEST-Freshwater-Aquarium-Water/dp/B003SNCHMA

 

[jwitty]

First find out what if you have hard water or soft water, which in measured with a GH kit. The next thing to find out is what your buffering capacity is (KH), and then the PH. Finally, determine the largest tank you can have while still being able to do at least 50% water changes every week. From there we can point you to the right direction of cichlids, since they range from a few inches to a couple of feet.

https://www.amazon.com/API-TEST-Freshwater-Aquarium-Water/dp/B003SNCHMA

My water is very soft (one drop turns it green,or whatever color I can’t remember) Buffering is a high number, last I tested if I remember is 12 drops maybe 13. Ph is 7.2-7.4. I currently have a 26 bow front that’s just been chilling empty. Been either gonna do a salt water or a Cichlid if I can. But I can always get a bigger tank petco has 50% off their 55s and 75s

 

[Rocksor]

So you should get a soft water species that can reside happily in 4 feet of tank space (75 g ideal). I would look into small South American cichlids, like the apistos, rams, angelfish, dwarf pikes, basically anything that doesn't get beyond 6" total length if you want 4 or more cichlids in the tank. You shouldn't overstock them like the hard water loving Rift Lake African cichlids.

If you don't want a new tank, and want to use your 26g bow front, you are looking at a breeding pair of SA dwarf cichlids like Bolivian rams, apisto, or dwarven pike cichlids for example. You can fill out the tank with dither fish like tetras. This is assuming that you are not doing a full on heavily planted tank.

 

[jwitty]

So you should get a soft water species that can reside happily in 4 feet of tank space (75 g ideal). I would look into small South American cichlids, like the apistos, rams, angelfish, dwarf pikes, basically anything that doesn't get beyond 6" total length if you want 4 or more cichlids in the tank. You shouldn't overstock them like the hard water loving Rift Lake African cichlids.

If you don't want a new tank, and want to use your 26g bow front, you are looking at a breeding pair of SA dwarf cichlids like Bolivian rams, apisto, or dwarven pike cichlids for example. You can fill out the tank with dither fish like tetras. This is assuming that you are not doing a full on heavily planted tank.

No plants I don’t like messing with them. Are there certain SA cichlids that should not be together? Or can I put the list you stated in there and everyone would be ok. If all of them are “dwarf” then about how many fish could I get in there from the list you have? Are there any fish that can go with a group a varying cichlids?

 

[jwitty]

Came across this and it’s really close to me actually It’s on my way home from college when I go back. What do you think? He’s also got a bunch of cichlids for sale.

 

[Rocksor]

Well we need a listing of what those cichlids are in that 55g. I wouldn't try more than 2 breeding pairs of small SA cichlids in a 55g.

If you get a 4 footer 75g, you can do harem style tank and stock with 4-6 red head tapajos geophagus plus dither fish. Or maybe a group of angels for the 75g.

It's best to tell us what you can get locally (e.g. only Petco/Petsmart in my area would help), otherwise, we will assume that you are willing to buy online fish and pay for next day shipping.

 

[jwitty]

Well we need a listing of what those cichlids are in that 55g. I wouldn't try more than 2 breeding pairs of small SA cichlids in a 55g.

If you get a 4 footer 75g, you can do harem style tank and stock with 4-6 red head tapajos geophagus plus dither fish. Or maybe a group of angels for the 75g.

It's best to tell us what you can get locally (e.g. only Petco/Petsmart in my area would help), otherwise, we will assume that you are willing to buy online fish and pay for next day shipping.

I’ll visit my local stores this weekend. I’m also going to my favorite store that’s a ways away. They have a ton of fish and there’s a guy there that’s knows everything about the fish they have. I’ll see what fish he has this weekend.

 

[Backfromthedead]

Before possibly cluttering your house with a tank you may not need in the long run, I will urge you to go for a six foot tank if at all possible. A 6' 125 gallon opens up your options for cichlids dramatically and does not cost that much more than a 75 gallon. Im only telling you this because thats what i shouldve done in hindsight.

 

[duanes]

There are over 3000 different species of cichlids, some are dwarf, some get 3ft in length, so asking a general question about them is not really answerable.
Some are sub tropical and prefer cool water, some need brackish.
As Rocksor said, you should be looking at South American dwarf cichlids, (any of the types he listed). And to help narrow that down a bit, with your soft water, that means cichlids from east of the Andes and those of the Amazon basin (Peru, Venezuela, Columbia, Brazil etc). Thee are also some African soft water dwarks, such as the Pelvicachromis.
And nothing that gets larger than 5.5" for a 55 gal, or nothing over 7.5", for 75 gal tank.
Avoid, Oscars, Chocolates, large pike cichlids, and large Geophagines, even though they are from that area and water type, they get too large for your tanks, and......the cichlids from west of the Andes are more hard water species, these like green terrors, and festae, should also be avoided with your water type.
The southern South Americans like the Geophagus braziliensus group are also hard water type and get too large for those tanks.
The Gymnogeophagines also require different conditions like cool downs, which the cichlids recommended above, do not.