First Cichlids

[Pepito]

I've heard that, other than the dwarf cichlids, new world cichlids can be generally kept together. My pleco's trying to outgrow his 55 gallon tank and I'm going to be getting a larger tank for him in the area of 180 gallons and have been considering cichlids as tankmates for him. I've mostly just kept peaceful-type fish and I'd like to try out a more aggressive setup.

Proposed future stocklist for a 180 gallon tank:

1 x Oscar
1 x Firemouth Cichlid
1 x Convict Cichlid
1 x Texas Cichlid
1 x Jack Dempsey
1 x Green Terror
1 x Pike Cichlid
1 x Common Pleco

-or-

2 x Oscar
1 x Texas Cichlid
4 x Convict Cichlids
1 x Common Pleco

I plan on getting everyone as juvies in the 2 inch range and letting them grow into the tank... except for the pleco which is already about 9 inches.

Is there anything I should know about them or any advice regarding this proposed setup? Some of their max size is quite different from others, but I don't think they can fit into each others' mouths... so would it be fine? I plan on having a heavily planted tank with driftwood and large rocks to prevent the plants from being knocked around. My pleco's already shown that he doesn't care to mess with my live plants, so I'm not worried about that, but I'll be willing to go with fake plants should the cichlids be an issue.

I see a 180 as being very large, but never have actually seen an adult oscar/other cichlid, so I don't know if this is an overstocked tank idea. If it is overstocked, what would be the minimum tank size you'd advise for this group?

I've read a lot that hole in the head is very common for oscars... is this easy to prevent if I keep up good water conditions or is this something I still might have to worry about regardless?

 

[Cross127]

I've heard that, other than the dwarf cichlids, new world cichlids can be generally kept together. My pleco's trying to outgrow his 55 gallon tank and I'm going to be getting a larger tank for him in the area of 180 gallons and have been considering cichlids as tankmates for him. I've mostly just kept peaceful-type fish and I'd like to try out a more aggressive setup.

Proposed future stocklist for a 180 gallon tank:

1 x Oscar
1 x Firemouth Cichlid
1 x Convict Cichlid
1 x Texas Cichlid
1 x Jack Dempsey
1 x Green Terror
1 x Pike Cichlid
1 x Common Pleco

-or-

2 x Oscar
1 x Texas Cichlid
4 x Convict Cichlids
1 x Common Pleco

I plan on getting everyone as juvies in the 2 inch range and letting them grow into the tank... except for the pleco which is already about 9 inches.

Is there anything I should know about them or any advice regarding this proposed setup? Some of their max size is quite different from others, but I don't think they can fit into each others' mouths... so would it be fine? I plan on having a heavily planted tank with driftwood and large rocks to prevent the plants from being knocked around. My pleco's already shown that he doesn't care to mess with my live plants, so I'm not worried about that, but I'll be willing to go with fake plants should the cichlids be an issue.

I see a 180 as being very large, but never have actually seen an adult oscar/other cichlid, so I don't know if this is an overstocked tank idea. If it is overstocked, what would be the minimum tank size you'd advise for this group?

I've read a lot that hole in the head is very common for oscars... is this easy to prevent if I keep up good water conditions or is this something I still might have to worry about regardless?

I see stocklist number two working out better than number one. Reason being is that in most cases that i have observed Green Terrors/ Gold Saum do not do well with Texas nor Jack Dempsey. In 180 i don't for see a problem though as the tank is large enough to house them for a while but there never seems to be enough room for larger CA and SA cichlids lol.

Since you are a beginner in the cichlid world. Try the 2 oscars a texas and some convicts. They are rock solid fish and good for you to start with.

Oscars do get HITH disease but in poor water conditions or poor nutrition. Just keep up with water changes you should have no problem if you do 20% change a week you might even get away with doing 10-15% for a while when they are young if properly filtered. Just give them a good diet.
To get the idea of a full adult oscar picture 2 of your hands long with another on top and a thickness of about 3 inch. They get pretty big and fast. If you get the texas try to get one larger than the oscars as the oscars will easily pass it out in size within a month or two.

 

[Gearhead]

I like #1, just leave out the texas and firemouth.

 

[Pepito]

I see stocklist number two working out better than number one. Reason being is that in most cases that i have observed Green Terrors/ Gold Saum do not do well with Texas nor Jack Dempsey. In 180 i don't for see a problem though as the tank is large enough to house them for a while but there never seems to be enough room for larger CA and SA cichlids lol.

Since you are a beginner in the cichlid world. Try the 2 oscars a texas and some convicts. They are rock solid fish and good for you to start with.

Oscars do get HITH disease but in poor water conditions or poor nutrition. Just keep up with water changes you should have no problem if you do 20% change a week you might even get away with doing 10-15% for a while when they are young if properly filtered. Just give them a good diet.
To get the idea of a full adult oscar picture 2 of your hands long with another on top and a thickness of about 3 inch. They get pretty big and fast. If you get the texas try to get one larger than the oscars as the oscars will easily pass it out in size within a month or two.

I wasn't too particularly attached to the idea of the green terror, so I'm cool with dropping him. I'll probably end up doing the second list, then.

Glad to hear HITH is preventable through proper care.

Thanks for the info!

 

[Pepito]

I like #1, just leave out the texas and firemouth.

Any reasons for losing those two in particular?

 

[Gatorxxx420]

I personally like #1 minus the Firemouth and Pike cichlid, the rest are some nice fish.

I agree that you're gonna wanna get some of the other fish a bit bigger than the Oscars, they get large, fast. Ultimately, it's what you like though.

 

[Pepito]

I doubt I'll be able to get them all at the same time with the non-oscars being larger, so I'll probably just get them first and let them grow a bit. I'm moving and I don't know what kind of selection my future lfs will have, but if it's anything like my local stores right now even getting any non-african non-oscar cichlid isn't going to happen without going online.

 

[Gatorxxx420]

I doubt I'll be able to get them all at the same time with the non-oscars being larger, so I'll probably just get them first and let them grow a bit. I'm moving and I don't know what kind of selection my future lfs will have, but if it's anything like my local stores right now even getting any non-african non-oscar cichlid isn't going to happen without going online.

That's unfortunate, but one of my friends got a few from a breeder on here that were nice specimen. What you could also do, is look around within a certain radius of where you're living now or will be living and see if there are any in a few cities around you or even counties. Good fish, would be worth the drive. Especially to be able to have fish that aren't seen every day in your immediate area.

 

[Aquanero]

I think of the two choices I would do #1 minus the Tex, only because they get big and nasty. I would try a GT if you've never owned one. I've said on more than one occasion IMO one of the best looking cichlids, look for a nice male and you will not be dissapointed. The final choice is yours good luck no matter what you decide.

 

[Gearhead]

Any reasons for losing those two in particular?

I think the firemouth would be a little small for that stock, it would probably get beat up easily by the larger more aggressive fish. I have never had a texas, but have heard that they get to be very mean. But it's ultimatemly your choice.