Hi everyone, I need a little help on what to do. I have a 55 gallon tank that i would like to make a cichlid tank but i am really not sure if i should go with africans or amricans??? I have read that if i go with africans that i can put more in there, but i really like some of the americans because of there size i really like the Jack dempsey, and i also like the green terror but i am told that either would be to big for my tank. so any ideas would be a great help!
Confused!
- Thread starter groovyme88
- Start date
gt and dempsey could be kept in a 55 and i dont know what to tell you exceot get whta you want and dont overstock it
one dempsey and one green terror and maybe one or two more would be fine in the 55 just do your water changes reguarly and get good filtration on it.
check out the salvini. a very cool and colorful cichlid that will usually max out around 8". a breeding pair of jack dempseys would be your next best bet because males usually max. out around 9". either species can grow larger and if they do then you will probably want to look for a larger tank for them. I wouldn't go with green terrors because they do vary a lot in size, but they can grow up to a foot long. 
Thanks for the advice I really do like the Jack Dempsey's they are beatiful fish. so now i just got to decide if i want a pair of Dempsey's or a tank full of africans.
really?? everywhere that i have read is telling me that you cant mix africans with americans because they have somewhat different requirements.
Eh, its all a matter of preference. Personally I'm not too fond of africans, they are quickly takin over the market and the SA/CA cichlids are loosing out cuz they generally take longer to color up. A tank with cichlids from dif. continents isn't gonna look as natural as one that has just SA or just African.
Personally i totally agree with J, salvini are AWESOME cichlids! The females get a great mustard yellow with a reddish belly, and black on them....just crisp and clean looking. You could also try some of the smaller guatopes, like Parachromis motaguense (Red Tiger Motaguense), and Parachromis friedrichstahlii come to mind right away...although Parachromis loisellei is also a looker! They are more aggressive of fish, and if you get a pair you probably should upgrade to at least a 75gal...not much larger...
. Another option would be to do Thorichthys...firemouths and the like. They are great fish with lots of spunk. You could easily have a pair, possible two if you have enough hiding places. check out Jeff Rapps site, hes an online cichlids seller that has GREAT fish, updates his list every monday!
www.tangledupincichlids.com
Personally i totally agree with J, salvini are AWESOME cichlids! The females get a great mustard yellow with a reddish belly, and black on them....just crisp and clean looking. You could also try some of the smaller guatopes, like Parachromis motaguense (Red Tiger Motaguense), and Parachromis friedrichstahlii come to mind right away...although Parachromis loisellei is also a looker! They are more aggressive of fish, and if you get a pair you probably should upgrade to at least a 75gal...not much larger...
. Another option would be to do Thorichthys...firemouths and the like. They are great fish with lots of spunk. You could easily have a pair, possible two if you have enough hiding places. check out Jeff Rapps site, hes an online cichlids seller that has GREAT fish, updates his list every monday! www.tangledupincichlids.com
I like to keep them separate I do my best to set up the tanks as naturally as I can.
The way the africans interact in groups is really cool.Its excellent the way sa cichlids are more interested in thier owner than anything in thier tank.Its all good the right answer is more tanks!
The way the africans interact in groups is really cool.Its excellent the way sa cichlids are more interested in thier owner than anything in thier tank.Its all good the right answer is more tanks!
groovyme88 said:
I don't think a JD or GT would be too big for ur tank...there are lesser cases where GT's and JD's have hit 12" but even if they do, it will take at least 2-3 years since they are both pretty slow growing fish...GT and JD are both very beautiful looking fish...they are both kinda underrated fish too....I still love lookin at my GT because of it's glowing abstract colors when I have my light on
You're right if you go African you could do a nice community of assorted Africans...with nice sand substrate and rocks etc...T'would be a beautiful 55 gallon tank
....It's up to you...just let us see some pics when you're done!
PS...hey I betcha could do the African setup...and throw in a nice JD to rule the tank
They have similar water parameters..