Growing out cichla?

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

BuffaloPolypteridae

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Aug 5, 2013
3,011
7
0
Buffalo
I may be getting into cichla, i had one that did not do well as i expected on advice from the LFS shopkeep.. 3 other fish in the tank i got it from were dead too haha

so my question is, whats the ideal tank size to grow a small cichla to about 5 inch? Obviously water quality and filtration play a part but if they had more flow would a 30 gallon work? I was told it would, but i always like to double check on here. I would like to go for some sort of Orino, maybe Kelberi.. Really love the look of Melanie and Intermedia but Im not at that level... yet haha. Would a small group, even a pair, be better then a single specimen? To help keep them calm? In my 30 right now is a 3 inch albino senegal, 5 inch palmas polli (which will be leaving this tank quite soon) and a 3 inch leopard ctenopoma

In the process of gathering material for a 200 gallon build maybe larger, so space when large wont be a problem. I also have a 70 running with my main fish, bichirs, erythrinus wolf, gymno balzani and a big rope fish haha my 30 isnt my only tank until then.

Thanks for the help guys!
 
Imo you need atleast a 55g for one that size, and they work better in groups of 3 or more, it makes it easier to pellet train and helps them feel comfortable or social. Smaller cichla are sensitive and are harder to raise. They need good water quality and filtration like you said but they also need high water temps to prevent ich which they catch very easily. If you do pick one up go for something slower growing like orino or kelberi.
 
Those are exactly the type I wanted, I'll probably hold off on the bass until my 70 is free in the spring, they should be able to get big enough in there vs growing an inch or 2 in the 30 lol. Do flow and exercise play a part? I keep a pretty good flow in my tanks, there's always a power head + main filter

Sent from my DROID4 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
 
BuffaloPolypteridae said:
Those are exactly the type I wanted, I'll probably hold off on the bass until my 70 is free in the spring, they should be able to get big enough in there vs growing an inch or 2 in the 30 lol. Do flow and exercise play a part? I keep a pretty good flow in my tanks, there's always a power head + main filter

Sent from my DROID4 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
Click to expand...

Flow is mainly a matter of preference, I personally like flow in my cichla tanks to direct wastes to the filter intakes because they're messy but it's not a necessity. Slow growth won't be the only issue in that 30g lol with less space cichla get territorial and would fight like crazy.
 
Ok thanks guys, ill be holding off on growing some out until my 70 is freed up y my other fish going into my DIY build. Probably going to go with all Orino or maybe 2 Orino and 1 Kel, how fast do Melanie grow? Cichla newb here haha the Mels are beautiful

Sent from my DROID4 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom