What is the King? Hmmmmmmmmmmm, you obviously either meant size or aggression, I am assuming aggression. If so, having kept all of the mentioned species, there is absolutely nothing in the New World that ( as a species over all ) holds a candle to a Managuense ( Jaguar Cichlid ) for sheer aggression in a large predator! Dows and Peacock bass are close seconds. But then I have seen and had individuals of certain species that broke the rules when it came to "who's the boss?" so for aggression it's a subjective question. The other thing is ( although you did post in CA & SA Cichlids forum ) there are many large African Hap and Mbuna species that would make short work of some of the meaner New Worlders pound for pound.
Now if by king of the cichlids you mean best looking ( again a rediculously general and subjective question ) then the prize goes either to the Peacock Bass, or the German Blue Ramirezi cichlid ( if we are keeping with New World fish ). That little dwarf is a stunner for colour!
If you mean the most prolific it's the Convict. Just add water,... they'll breed! That term "King" is a bad way to phrase it. The poll should either be the meanest or biggest predator, nastiest is even a better way to phase it than "King".
Heck if by "King" you mean the fish with the most subjects ( I know it's not SA or CA ) little Golden Shell brooders are definately the winner because they have a massive harem of females that they keep in shells in their territory and they breed with all of them. Talk about a stud! Now those fish are reproductively the "King" of them all. Nevermind the tiny size!
Or if by "King"you mean the most interesting "Pack hunter", drop a goldfish into a tank with a large group of Jewel Cichlids that have been raised feeding on small goldfish. It does not matter the size goldfish you drop in either, they will chase down and rip apart a goldfish twice their size once they have been raised on them! Trust me, when you see twenty Jewels lay into a fish double their size, you will start to re-evaluate what you consider aggressive!
Anyway take care and have a good one. - Erik -
Now if by king of the cichlids you mean best looking ( again a rediculously general and subjective question ) then the prize goes either to the Peacock Bass, or the German Blue Ramirezi cichlid ( if we are keeping with New World fish ). That little dwarf is a stunner for colour!
If you mean the most prolific it's the Convict. Just add water,... they'll breed! That term "King" is a bad way to phrase it. The poll should either be the meanest or biggest predator, nastiest is even a better way to phase it than "King".
Heck if by "King" you mean the fish with the most subjects ( I know it's not SA or CA ) little Golden Shell brooders are definately the winner because they have a massive harem of females that they keep in shells in their territory and they breed with all of them. Talk about a stud! Now those fish are reproductively the "King" of them all. Nevermind the tiny size!
Or if by "King"you mean the most interesting "Pack hunter", drop a goldfish into a tank with a large group of Jewel Cichlids that have been raised feeding on small goldfish. It does not matter the size goldfish you drop in either, they will chase down and rip apart a goldfish twice their size once they have been raised on them! Trust me, when you see twenty Jewels lay into a fish double their size, you will start to re-evaluate what you consider aggressive!
Anyway take care and have a good one. - Erik -
