Help needed for a cichlid tank

[Cichlid_freak]

Hi guys, I have a 50 gallon tank (with a 2 power filters), and have a quite small flowerhorn in it. Due to space constraints, I can't go for a bigger tank. I really like cichlids so the idea is to get a small single cichlid (or may be something like a pair of juvenile parrots) and replace him with another cichlid when he gets too big. Well, I will happy to keep the fish for 6 - 12 months.

Can you please suggest me some awesome cichlids ? I would love to have a pair but a single fish with cool attitude (not prone to sitting at the bottom of the tank looking all blue) would be great too

My Flowerhorn has a cool personality and is very agile but I guess I cannot keep him too long as they get big quite fast. Would want someone like him but not another Flowerhorn again as immediate replacement; that would be boring

Also, I have read that deliberate but careful overstocking of cichlids can reduce aggression. If that is possible, I would really like to give it a try and I am willing to take it very seriously. What do you suggest? Sorry if I sound silly; this is my first fish tank, set it up just a few months back.

Thank you for your help.

 

[Buphy]

First off, welcome to the hobby. You are indeed right the FH (flowerhorn) will outgrow that tank. You'll get many recommendations on what to put in its place. They problem you currently have (same as me) is that you have a "small" tank. The dimensions on a tank that size, particularly the front to back length, makes it too small for many of the fish you may get suggested (well they won't actually get suggested but you'll want them =P).

Anyways I'll stop rambling, my personal favorite has been my Jack Dempsey, but like I said, you'll get many more suggestions.

As for more cichlids to spread out Agression, it's tricky. The thing is, SA/CA cichlids get bigger (generally) than African lake cichlids where this trick is normally used.

 

[jaws7777]

A pair of honduran red points, cryptheros sajica, nanolutes or panamensis

 

[Cichlid_freak]

Thank you all for your suggestions. Jack Dempsey seems great. Also, I really liked Red Terror, Dovii, and Jaguar Cichlid. If kept alone, will they be happy? Also, can I keep a small pair?

Can I have about 4/5 small CA/SA Cichlids in 55 gallon to spread out aggression?

 

[BreidohriFr]

The jack dempsey is a very good candidate for your tank, you could put a pair, festae is beautiful but your tank really too small, it may fight to the death with your flowerhorn. The dovii is too big but the Jaguar cichlid is good too.

You thought to synspilum? I think he will have enough character to stay with a Flowerhorn, but you'll have to part with you when it's too big!

 

[jaws7777]

Thank you all for your suggestions. Jack Dempsey seems great. Also, I really liked Red Terror, Dovii, and Jaguar Cichlid. If kept alone, will they be happy? Also, can I keep a small pair?

Can I have about 4/5 small CA/SA Cichlids in 55 gallon to spread out aggression?

None of the fish you just mentioned should be housed in your tank besides the jd. Just my opinion jags/dovii/festae/syns all get too big for that tank. Plus they would shred each other in the process of growing. I know you mentioned you would rehome them when they grow too large....to me that doesnt seem like a good choice for the fish you picked. Most will be dull intil they put on some size then you will he getting rid of fish that are just starting to color up

 

[Cichlid_freak]

I will put the fish as a replacement for the FH. I have seen cichlids fight and it's just a big turn-off, so I'll never keep anything with a FH. In that case, could I keep a small Dovii or a small Festae as a single fish in the tank?

Thanks for mentioning Synspilum. I didn't know about it. Looks awesome.

 

[jaws7777]

In that case, could I keep a small Dovii or a small Festae as a single fish in the tank?

Thanks for mentioning Synspilum. I didn't know about it. Looks awesome.

Bad idea...refer to post #6

 

[welsher7]

Dovii, syns, and festae grow too large for your tank. You should be look at fish that max out around the 6-7".

I think the C. sajica would be a great choice.

 

[BreidohriFr]

In this volume, you can keep these fish to the size of 10 cm, if you want to keep long-term cichlid, you directed towards the meeki cichlid or nigrofasciatus.