How many South American cichlids can I keep in a 55 gallon aquarium?

[convict360]

congratulations on the tank and convicts Give them plenty of care and you'll end up with stocky, intelligent fish with bold colours. I'd avoid a JD, once you start putting in large fish it tends to ruin tanks and make them look small, especially if the larger fish struggles to move around etc.

 

[tlindsey]

What about 1 jack Dempsey cichlid?

If your fish are still small I personally would consider a JD. Make sure JD is close to the size of the Convicts.

 

[Nativefishkeeper904]

congratulations on the tank and convicts Give them plenty of care and you'll end up with stocky, intelligent fish with bold colours. I'd avoid a JD, once you start putting in large fish it tends to ruin tanks and make them look small, especially if the larger fish struggles to move around etc.

You seem like you have lots of experience with convicts, what fish do you keep them with? My tank looks a little empty with 48 x 20 inches of swimming room and 4 young convicts! Haha

 

[tlindsey]

Do you have decor in your aquarium?

 

[Nativefishkeeper904]

Do you have decor in your aquarium?

I have a 28 inch long piece of driftwood, 2 Amazon sword plants, 3 lucky bamboo, and some other plants that my friend gave me. There are lots of hiding spots in the driftwood and the plants have thick healthy leaves that provide cover.

 

[tlindsey]

I have a 28 inch long piece of driftwood, 2 Amazon sword plants, 3 lucky bamboo, and some other plants that my friend gave me. There are lots of hiding spots in the driftwood and the plants have thick healthy leaves that provide cover.

Ok great

 

[convict360]

You seem like you have lots of experience with convicts, what fish do you keep them with? My tank looks a little empty with 48 x 20 inches of swimming room and 4 young convicts! Haha

honestly?

I keep them with nothing else, they bully smaller fish; and attack bigger ones lol. Imo best kept by themselves, but it can work with a JD, if you so choose. Just make sure the JD is bigger than them

 

[duanes]

I live in the area convicts come from, they will do fine in 75 degrees. They are (as already stated)from from Central America, here in Panama they are quite common (in areas such as Bocas del Toro), where there are many variations, (and species of convict types). Also in Costa Rica and Nicaragua, where they inhabit slow, to fast moving waters, some as cool as low 70s' in the rainy season. I would suggest dither fish as tank mates, instead of other cichlids. Here there are many live bearers that share their habitat, but spend more time near the surface, and fit the bill in your size tank. This would add movement and interest throughout the entire tank, and these fish would not (hopefully) be thought of as competitors (like other cichlids would). Convicts don't generally like other competitors, and since you have put them in first, will see any new cichlid additions as interlopers, and probably try to kill them. Convicts albeit slowly, can grow fairly large, compared to the space you have, and a pair could (with proper care) eventually max out your 55 gal tank.

 

[Nativefishkeeper904]

I live in the area convicts come from, they will do fine in 75 degrees. They are (as already stated)from from Central America, here in Panama they are quite common (in areas such as Bocas del Toro), where there are many variations, (and species of convict types). Also in Costa Rica and Nicaragua, where they inhabit slow, to fast moving waters, some as cool as low 70s' in the rainy season. I would suggest dither fish as tank mates, instead of other cichlids. Here there are many live bearers that share their habitat, but spend more time near the surface, and fit the bill in your size tank. This would add movement and interest throughout the entire tank, and these fish would not (hopefully) be thought of as competitors (like other cichlids would). Convicts don't generally like other competitors, and since you have put them in first, will see any new cichlid additions as interlopers, and probably try to kill them. Convicts albeit slowly, can grow fairly large, compared to the space you have, and a pair could (with proper care) eventually max out your 55 gal tank.

Thanks! I have 2 mosquito fish in the tank now. I just took them from my Native tank. I am also thinking about adding 1 or 2 young bluegill sunfish that are too small to keep in my pond for now.

 

[Nativefishkeeper904]

The mosquito fish are doing great. The cichlids don't mind them at all. I will be getting some fire mouths when I do my next water change. (Monday) and I will move the decor around so that they can reestablish territory. Thank you guys for all the help! feel free to ask me any questions about how my tank is set up. Instructive criticism is always welcome...