Is there such a thing as a centerpiece fish for my subtropical SA 75?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
AutumnEffect

AutumnEffect

Candiru
MFK Member
Oct 16, 2010
183
15
48
York County, PA
This is my first foray into anything other than North American natives, and I have my 75 set up as a South American subtropical tank. I currently have a school of 10 Buenos Aires tetras, a school of 9 Bloodfin tetras and 5 Peppered Corys. Tank is in my basement and unheated. Temps vary from 67 - 74 depending on the time of year and change gradually.

I know I'm kinda of doing this in reverse, as it seems most people ask about tankmates for cichlids they already have.

Is there a cichlid that could co-exist with the tetras and the corys in cooler water?

I am just looking for one larger fish, not set on color/size/sex. I am not opposed to a female, in fact I prefer the way most females look.

If this is an impossible request, that's fine too. I would be happy with just the tetras and corys.

Thanks in advance!
 
When adding cichlids there's always a risk. You could try a Convict.

I know you wanted larger, but dwarf cichlids are always a nice edition. I kept a pair of Blue Rams with 8 panda Corys and about a dozen Cardinal Tetras.
 
Maybe look into severums, a few kinds are possible,but not sure if the smaller fish would become food.I would start any cichlid smaller in size,then hopefully he grows up with those tankmates and might leave them alone.another idea is an electric blue acara
 
Thanks guys!

Do Convicts need to be kept in pairs? If not, a single female Convict might work.

I had looked into Rams, but everything I saw pointed towards water higher temperatures. What temperature did you keep your tank?

How do the Electric Blue Acara do with slightly cooler temperatures? Could I keep a single specimen? I do like the look of them (both male and female) and the blue color would be a nice contrast to the red/sliver/black of the tetras...
 
I'm sorry, I missed your temperature range. My tanks don't drop below 75.
Convicts don't need to be in pairs. Unless you want hundreds of Convicts I'd avoid pairs at all costs. Lol
 
I would rather not breed anything (although my snapping turtle would probably enjoy the fry) so a male/female pair of anything is pretty much out. Everything I've read says the Convicts breed like rabbits. LOL

I've read that the gymnogeophagus are more social fish and do better in groups. Is that true?

I took another look at the various Australoheros, and I like them. They would work with the cooler temperatures and they don't get super larger either. Would a single specimen (male or female) be okay?

Had another thought. Would multiple females be okay together? I know with native sunfish, you can normally keep a group of females together with no issues. I would be open to a small group of female cichlids too...
 
I strongly recommend against convicts...or even a single con. Very attractive fish, curious, intelligent, cheeky. Which is great until it takes to attacking your other peaceful fish, which is unfair on them.

On the flip side, I strongly recommend an acara, regular or electric blue variety. Peaceful with other fish, only puts other fish in their place when it needs to; and reaches a solid size.

That's based on my experience, there are always exceptions.

P.S I haven't looked at the temp range for the acara, might want to check that if you're interested
 
  • Like
Reactions: lekkiandgas
I'm digging the acaras (electric blue or blue) and think the blue would look great in my tank. I may even consider a heater so I can keep one. Will continue researching temperature ranges for the blue acara.

Since the acara would be the only cichlid, I think aggression towards the tetras and corys would be minimum. Does gender matter? Would a single male be fine or should I stick with only female(s)?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom