I GOT FIRE IN MY EYES!

[Violent Pike]

Hello i accidentally found this site last night and was impressed with the member’s knowledge of some of the coolest (and ugliest ) looking fish i have seen.But for now I am limited to a 40 long. But I am not letting this discourage me because I have found the Firemouth cichlid, maybe not the size of some of the monsters on this site but bigger and better looking than any of the livebearers I have had in the past. Being new to cichlids I am not totally certain on the stocking of my tank. I have read that they are not the most aggressive cichlid and was wondering if two pairs would work in the tank along with a school of 8 larger bodied tetras and three goofy looking cats? (Also taking suggestions on the cats, I like lots of long whiskers and cool patterns) names Dylan btw.

 

[davidefc]

Welcome to MFK, firemouths are great choice for started cichlids, they were my first cichlid and i still keep them. You could pull off 2 pair in a 40 gallon but i would go with 1 because: there would be less fights between pairs, so this means their fins and overall appearance would be better as they arnt fighting with another pair.
also you have a better chance raising fry in the tank as firemouths can most likely hold off the tetras, maybe not the catfish when the lights go.

It depends what you want from your pair, do you want to successfully raise the fry or just want them as the centre piece of the tank. personly i would ditch the catfish unless you go for cory's or small plecos which the FM should be able to hold there ground with protecting the eggs.

If you dont want fry you could have a community like a firemouth, keyhole, sajica and blue acara, one of each species and they should live together fine, or without much fights.

When you decide what you want in your tank, people will give more info on your choice.
dave

 

[killerfish]

Firemouths are a good starter cichlid in a 40 long i wouldn't have more then one pair of them

 

[Fish on Fire]

Well, if you were wanting any of the fry to survive, cats would be out of the picture. All of the cats that I can think of will get too large for a 40 gallon. Although firemouths aren't aggressive when compared to other cichlids, they can still do some damage when breeding. If you want a pair in top shape with little to no shredded fins, then only keep one pair. If you keep two pairs, be assured that there will be tussles and lots of semi shredded fins.

As far as dithers, you can go with about 7-11 giant danios, they are actually very cool fish and can look pretty nice. Though I would worry a bit about them eating all the fry once the fry are free swimming.

 

[Violent Pike]

Raising fry is not a priority in this tank but if any get free swimming I will move them to a grow out tank. I wasn’t getting my hopes up for the two pairs so that isn’t too much of a blow.Would the corys be able to hold there own against the Firemouth's?

 

[Violent Pike]

Hows this for a list
pair of firemouth cichlids
16 lemon tetras
3 corydoras sp.(coo7) if i cant find this 3 skunk

 

[fishluvr12]

Hows this for a list
pair of firemouth cichlids
16 lemon tetras
3 corydoras sp.(coo7) if i cant find this 3 skunk

Sounds good.But I would go with at least 5 corys

 

[pdbrady]

Welcome aboard! Your combo sounds good. I do agree with fishluvr and more cories. They are a very social fish, so the more the better.

 

[duke33]

Welcome to MFK.

 

[kendog1]

welcome to thee only site on the web for people addicted to monster fish and tanks