Good tankmates for Acara Cichlids

[KatieC90]

So i recently lost 5 little african cichlids from a heater malfunction while I was at work. :c A few days later, I came across this beautiful Acara Cichlid. She (I'm assuming) was in a tank with another about a qautar of her size living peacefully. I selected to only get her, since I only have a 29 gallon at the moment.

I'm investing in a 75 gallon tank soon. If the smaller fish is still available, I want to bring her home as well.

Now to my first question, what would be a good tank mate for these beauties? I have a pleco with her currently but they have the current tank to themselves. I do not want any cichlid that could give her a hard time, and I know her mouth is rather large, so that rules out anything too small. If I put another kind of fish in, should I remove the crush coral and replace it with sand?

My second question, with two Acaras, could I get away with a 55 gallon for a few months?

Sorry for any ignorance, I just started fish keeping a few months ago!

 

[KatieC90]

I'm not sure why the picture posted so many times my apologies. And I am not a male lol

 

[KatieC90]

Nobody?

 

[Hendre]

Welcome to MFK

Acaras could do well with large tetras such as congos or filament barbs for a 75 gal, they are fast enough to avoid acaras because they can be crazies when spawning. They are fairly peaceful but if you get a bigger tank i suggest growing the small acara out in the 29

Just a word of warning many larger shoalers (congos especially) love pristine water so 30% water changes a week are best for their colour and wellbeing.

Good luck!

 

[Frank Castle]

2 Acaras will do fine for life in a 55g.....and then some room for dithers. You could do a whole harem in a 75g , maybe 1 male, 4-5 females. good tankmates would be Geophagus and Angelfish, possibly or Parrot or Rainbow cichlids. Mollys, Guppys, Platys, Danios and most Barbs will do well and also Rosaline, Rainbow and Redtail sharks. Most plecos will work - Clowns and Bulldogs stay small, and a variety of smaller catfish in the 4-8" range such as Raphaels, Spotted Pimelodus, Corydoras, Asian Bumblebee, etc