Hypsophrys Nicaraguensis

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Gajzila

Candiru
MFK Member
Apr 2, 2019
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Hi guys! Is it ok to put just one pair Nicaraguensis cichlid in 110x50x50cm (43,3x19,7x19,7), 250l (65 gallon) aquarium? Tnx
 
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Hi guys! Is it ok to put just one pair Nicaraguensis cichlid in 110x50x50cm (43,3x19,7x19,7), 250l (65 gallon) aquarium? Tnx
duanes duanes
 
A young pair with some growing to do may work a while.
Large old males can get a bit aggressive in that size space.
I kept a young compatible pair in a 75 gal for a little over a year, but it seemed necessary to move them to 125 (to me) when the male hit about 7"

They spawned several times in the 75and raised many fry.



Just an aside, I wouldn't;t keep any other cichlids with them, but geographically correct live bearers like swordtails or Gambusia would work well, util they spawn.
 
A young pair with some growing to do may work a while.
Large old males can get a bit aggressive in that size space.
I kept a young compatible pair in a 75 gal for a little over a year, but it seemed necessary to move them to 125 (to me) when the male hit about 7"

They spawned several times in the 75and raised many fry.



Just an aside, I wouldn't;t keep any other cichlids with them, but geographically correct live bearers like swordtails or Gambusia would work well, util they spawn.
Tnx dude a lot... Do you think it is a better choice is Gymnogeophagus Balzanii? Or some other fish that grows around 7" to 8". Heros, Satanoperca...
 
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Balzani will work well in that size tank (maybe for life), they seem not quite as territorial in smaller spaces, more bluff than overt aggression.
And with geographically appropriate Buenos Aires tetras, and southern South American cool water Cory's as dithers, in a room temp tank, it would be a nice look.
 
Balzani will work well in that size tank (maybe for life), they seem not quite as territorial in smaller spaces, more bluff than overt aggression.
And with geographically appropriate Buenos Aires tetras, and southern South American cool water Cory's as dithers, in a room temp tank, it would be a nice look.
Hello again! Sorry I'm boring, but I see you giving information from personal experience. That it might be possible to put a pair of Heros Rotkeil in this tank? Since they grow up to 8 inches? Tnx...
 
Hello again! Sorry I'm boring, but I see you giving information from personal experience. That it might be possible to put a pair of Heros Rotkeil in this tank? Since they grow up to 8 inches? Tnx...
The rule of thumb I use for my own tanks is that cichlids need at least 10 gallons per inch once they are fully grown adults.
I realize many other aquarists seem to be less generous with space.
For 8" adult severums I consider a 55 as only a grow out tank, and at least 30 gallons to small for adults.
The nicaraguese you mentioned average about 7"as adults, that's why I mentioned a 75gal
So IMO, a 55 is only temporary for any cichlid that reaches over 5.5 inches.
I also count in height and width of fish when considering those larger species.
So to me a couple 10" L oscars, that are 6" tall, and 3" wide would need about 180 gallons minimum.
But as 15" adults it might be a bit wimpy.
 
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Personal experience...I keep nics like I keep salvini, jewels, etc all the way up to loiselle or cubans. I enjoy them most in a large tank with fish substantially larger. Give the nics a nice rock formation or two and watch them light up like a Las Vegas sign. It increases the pair bond when it is them against the killers ( Midas, festae, butticofri, trimac, vieja) and more often than not the big fish in the tank underestimate the nics aggressive tendencies and overlook them an a non threat. So the big fish go up to the top making a huge mess while they eat and the nics clean the bottom staying out of the way until their confidence builds
 
The rule of thumb I use for my own tanks is that cichlids need at least 10 gallons per inch once they are fully grown adults.
I realize many other aquarists seem to be less generous with space.
For 8" adult severums I consider a 55 as only a grow out tank, and at least 30 gallons to small for adults.
The nicaraguese you mentioned average about 7"as adults, that's why I mentioned a 75gal
So IMO, a 55 is only temporary for any cichlid that reaches over 5.5 inches.
I also count in height and width of fish when considering those larger species.
So to me a couple 10" L oscars, that are 6" tall, and 3" wide would need about 180 gallons minimum.
But as 15" adults it might be a bit wimpy.
Why does Hecklii then all sites recommend even a larger liter than one pair of Nicaraguensis, grow smaller and I don’t see them being more aggressive than Nicaraguensis? in an aquarium of these sizes 43.3x19.7x19.7 I have been holding one pair of Sajice for 2 years (male 5", female 2,5") and I put 6 young Meeki to set aside a pair. i won't change that for a long time. Honestly, I also practice making the aquarium larger than the suggested sizes found online. so I don't even care that they spawn, how much I care that it is as phenomenal for them as it is for Sajica now (4 spawning in 4 months and the colors are phenomenal). But I'm looking for some list of larger fish, which I would keep with a pair and a school of Xiphophorus if it's CA or some tetras if SA is a biotope.... :)
 
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