first time cichlid owner, ideas for my 75?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
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chirojosh

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Nov 25, 2006
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iowa
I know a 75g isnt huge, but I really want to try cichlids. I just broke my marine tank down( sick of making Ro water/mixing and all that BS!) I have an AC110 and just bought an Eheim 2028 canister. Ive been going to the LFS checking the fish out, just not really sure what to get(no experience with cichlids.) I really like green terrors,(my favorite so far) jack dempseys and firemouths. Could I do a GT, two firemouths, and a school of giant danios, or is that severely overstocked? The GT/dempsey seems to be a big gamble. HMMM. ideas?:nilly:
 
Firemouths will probably not do well with a GT. I have mine (male GT) in a 75 with a smaller pike cichlid and they do fine, the GT chases it occasionally but there isn't actually any fighting.

If you want multiple fish, it's best to stick with less aggressive cichlids; gymnogeophagus are really nice, I have several in my other 75 and they are all doing great.

Or if you'd like something large and aggressive, a Herichthys carpintis would be great.
 
Cuban cichlid (nandopsis tetracanthus) would be good for that size tank. i breed them and recommend them for everyone. they are awesome.
 
Firemouths and JD's will co-exist just fine....the GT's might be a bit much. Provide alot of rock work in the tank. You might start with the FM's and JD's first and then introduce a smaller GT later on.

Water quality is the key and you have plenty of filtration for the above fish with the 110 and 2028.
 
In my experience there are three ways to keep Neo-Tropical cichlids.


1. Only get a a few fish and give them plenty of hiding places and caves so each can have it's own little territory. This way they develope a sort of social structure and boundries for each fish.

2. Get more fish, crowd them a little, and limit the territorial hide outs thus limiting aggression. This works well for me and does require more work and tank maintenance but I find it satisfying and enjoy the work. Note: This will not work with the most aggressive species.

3. Get one fish of the most aggressive species like a Red Devil or Midas and let it have a tank of its own to rule over as undisputed king.

I suppose a fourth option is to have a mated pair, but I won't really comment on it because I have zero experience breeding cichlids, but many people on here do.

Naldo
 
yeah danios could work they work in my tank with my male texas
but yeah as it was already said gt might cause problems for the firemouths
but u cold always try and see how it goes
 
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