Getting back into hobby - need suggestions for 40 gallon cichlid tank

[CaptainAquatics]

Hi all! So after about 5 years of fishkeeping I burned out of the hobby and majorly downsized (from 12 tanks to 3). I’ll be honest those remaining three tanks were rough for a while but within the last week I have gotten back into them and have been majorly cleaning up and getting those tanks running properly again. They do already have some stock, but I’d like to finish off the stockings. The two tanks that need it are my 15 and my 40 gallon - today I’d like help with the 40. The 40’s current stock is as follows:
- 1 Blood parrot cichlid
- 1 convict cichlid
- 1 jewel cichlid
- 1 BN pleco
- 1 Raphael catfish
- 1 synodontis catfish

I’d like to make this tank a South American cichlid tank as I already have some of those cichlids. I’m looking for recommendations on what I could add and how to properly do it.

thank you!

 

[tlindsey]

Hi all! So after about 5 years of fishkeeping I burned out of the hobby and majorly downsized (from 12 tanks to 3). I’ll be honest those remaining three tanks were rough for a while but within the last week I have gotten back into them and have been majorly cleaning up and getting those tanks running properly again. They do already have some stock, but I’d like to finish off the stockings. The two tanks that need it are my 15 and my 40 gallon - today I’d like help with the 40. The 40’s current stock is as follows:
- 1 Blood parrot cichlid
- 1 convict cichlid
- 1 jewel cichlid
- 1 BN pleco
- 1 Raphael catfish
- 1 synodontis catfish

I’d like to make this tank a South American cichlid tank as I already have some of those cichlids. I’m looking for recommendations on what I could add and how to properly do it.

thank you!

Welcome back

 

[duanes]

Since none of the cichlids you mention above are South American, if you do get some authentic S American's, I'd remove them.
To me, a 40 gal is only large enough for dwarf type like Microgeophagus(Rams) , and/or Apistogramma,
or if you wanted more temperate species like Uruguayans, a few of the Gymnogeophagus might work in the tank..
Couple Gymnogeophagus below.

 

[CaptainAquatics]

Since none of the cichlids you mention above are South American, if you do get some authentic S American's, I'd remove them.
To me, a 40 gal is only large enough for dwarf type like Microgeophagus(Rams) , and/or Apistogramma,
or if you wanted more temperate species like Uruguayans, a few of the Gymnogeophagus might work in the tank..
Couple Gymnogeophagus below.
View attachment 1500713View attachment 1500711

ok, are you recommending I add rams / geophagus to the tank? If not do you have recommendations of fish I could add?

 

[GolemGolem]

How about getting rid of everything except the BN and the Convict...and getting another convict? Or get rid of everything except the BN and get some rams?

 

[duanes]

ok, are you recommending I add rams / geophagus to the tank? If not do you have recommendations of fish I could add?

No, any of the true Geophagus get too large for a 40 gal, and most do best in shoals, so only a tank of at least 100 gals is suitable for true Geophagus and their group..

I suggested the genera, Microgeophagus, Apistogramma or Gymnogeophagus as S Americans.

 

[Manu8__too]

I assume it’s a 40 breeder, correct? If so, I see no reason why you couldn’t keep a BP and BN pleco in that tank. This is assuming you provide proper tank maintenance (weekly wc’s, filter upkeep, not over feeding, etc).
While BP’s can (and do) exceed 8”, most of them top out around 6-7”. If it were to reach 8” down the road, you could always consider re-homing the fish or upgrade the size of your tank. Again, most BP’s typically stay under 8”.

 

[CaptainAquatics]

I assume it’s a 40 breeder, correct? If so, I see no reason why you couldn’t keep a BP and BN pleco in that tank. This is assuming you provide proper tank maintenance (weekly wc’s, filter upkeep, not over feeding, etc).
While BP’s can (and do) exceed 8”, most of them top out around 6-7”. If it were to reach 8” down the road, you could always consider re-homing the fish or upgrade the size of your tank. Again, most BP’s typically stay under 8”.

Yes it is a 40 breeder. I’ve had this BP for nearly 4 years - he is the most important fish to me that own and is 7”.

And yes I’ll be doing proper tank cleanings.

 

[PhishMon84]

If you’ve already got a 7” BP you don’t have options to add fish, that and a pleco or Raphael are a lot for a small tank like a 40