how big of a tank for these fish?

[Citrinellus]

no. that calculation does not work. Do cubic inches. 1 cubic inch of adult fish per gallon of water. Severum needs about 40gal. Parrot needs about 50 because they are fat and put out alot of waste. You could pull those two fish off in a 75gal if you keep it up well. Again this is adult size. IMO you need to separate the sa/ca's from the africans. Once again it's all about adult size and thinking cubic.

If you were answering my question, I intended it to disprove his theory. Thats also a good point about separating the SA and africans. They require different water parameters. I could see someone housing CA with africans though because they tend to like harder water.

 

[Chicklette]

I don't know much about africans so I can't comment on that but they should not be mized with parrots or severums. Parrots get very big if taken proper care of, mine is huge. He's in a 75 gallon tank. Blood parrots need a 55 gallon tank. They are not that aggressive although some can be, just depends but they can't really fight back with the mouth the way they are. Personally I would keep the centrals and get rid of the africans and get a 75 gallon tank and maybe get some dithers. That's just what I would do.

 

[cichlid_starter]

If you were answering my question, I intended it to disprove his theory. Thats also a good point about separating the SA and africans. They require different water parameters. I could see someone housing CA with africans though because they tend to like harder water.

I know I was just giving a general inch guide that typicly works in most situations. And that is true for the CA's but most SA's can adapt to harder water in my expierence. My issue is that a severum and BP have completely different aggression levels then africans do. Typicly when people say they have "africans" it just means they got them from an assorted african cichlid tank which is usualy comprised of various zebras. Much more aggressive than the sevrum. BP's are wildcards though as far as aggression goes though because they are a hybrid. I've seen some that can hang with barbs and other semi's and some that are as aggressive as a red devil. Untill we can figure out exactly what the Africans really are IMO the mix will eventually fail in the long run. If it were me I would just use this as an excuse to set up two tanks. Build a stand with a 75 on top and a 55 on bottom to save room. But once again, just my opinion.

I don't know much about africans so I can't comment on that but they should not be mized with parrots or severums. Parrots get very big if taken proper care of, mine is huge. He's in a 75 gallon tank. Blood parrots need a 55 gallon tank. They are not that aggressive although some can be, just depends but they can't really fight back with the mouth the way they are. Personally I would keep the centrals and get rid of the africans and get a 75 gallon tank and maybe get some dithers. That's just what I would do.

but I'm more of a SA/CA guy anyway.

 

[Chicklette]

Me too. I've always loved centrals. It's like they have personality. And how they beg for your attention, well some anyway.

 

[Hoyo12]

hello i have 1 severum 4 african cichlids 1 blood parrot i was thinking 75 gal?

So I think the big question is, what species of "african cichlids" are we talking about?
I've kept both together with African Cichlids before, all full grown, no issues, 75-Gallon tank. Sure there was a little aggression, but they are Cichlids, you have to expect that.

 

[manlyfish]

i know what most of the africans are...
ones a kenyi
ones a electric yellow
one is pure orangish yellow with a little black spot
one i a light blue with like sometimes darker blue lines going verticaly and a black horazontil line lining the dorsal fin

 

[cichlid_starter]

i know what most of the africans are...
ones a kenyi
ones a electric yellow
one is pure orangish yellow with a little black spot
one i a light blue with like sometimes darker blue lines going verticaly and a black horazontil line lining the dorsal fin

Without pics I'm guessing.
1- Kenyi (obviously lol)
2- Yellow Lab (A lot of stores label them as electric yellow)
3+4 could be anything but my guess is just the africans you find in assorted tanks.

My suggestion. If you are going to mix them (which is fine) and it needs to be to a 75gal, dump the two randoms. 9 times out of 10 they are just overly aggressive and get about 6-7in. I would mix the Sevrum, BP, Kenyi and Yellow Lab. When they are all at full size though, you will be looking at sizeable weekly water changes. Like 30-50% just simply based on the bio-load the fish will put out. Do-able though. I would test water weekly and just do water changes accordingly. Good luck and post pics!