I am looking for a new cichlid to share my 120 gallon fish tank with my Cobra Pike and two catfish. The bigger and meaner, the better. Of course, nothing too big, but within reason. My tank dimensions are 60x18x26. Some of my thoughts are: Motaguense (possibly a pair), Black Nasty, Argentea, or a red terror. That does not mean that I am limiting my search to these fish. If you can think of any other possible cichlids, please Please share your thoughts on which one would work best in my tank along with my pike.
Looking for a meanie
- Thread starter Optimist
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I actually have had many cichlids more aggressive than the Red Terror.
It's pretty hard to beat a Midas Cichlid when it comes to aggressive behavior. Managuense are pretty aggressive, but more so towards hands, rather than fish.
So, if you are looking for a big mean fish that will beat up other fish, WHY????
If you are looking for a big mean fish that can HOLD ITS OWN, that is a completely different story, and for this, go with a Midas Cichlid or a Convict. (No, that was not a joke.)
It's pretty hard to beat a Midas Cichlid when it comes to aggressive behavior. Managuense are pretty aggressive, but more so towards hands, rather than fish.
So, if you are looking for a big mean fish that will beat up other fish, WHY????
If you are looking for a big mean fish that can HOLD ITS OWN, that is a completely different story, and for this, go with a Midas Cichlid or a Convict. (No, that was not a joke.)
The most aggressive that I have are our RD and our Motags, Our Jags seem to only be mean when they have fry in the tank. Overall I would go with a pair of Motags the female is a very hot fishy 
Get yourself a Vieja Bifasciatus.. they are stunningly colored, get large and showy, and can hold thier own in combat. If you want even more agressive than that a fenestratus would be good, but then again it might even kill the pikes.
i'm not really sure how's they would do with you pikes, but grammodes, are very awesome, and aggresive fish, they stay at about 11-12" max too, but from what i hear, when they say aggresive, they mean these fish are bastards, i have heard of them killing almost everything in some tanks, but in others, they are somewhat calm, they have great colors too.but if you don't want any real possible trouble, try something like the mota's, odo's and rt's get nasty too.
Sorry, I should have made myself more clear. I don't wan't a mean fish just for the sake of having it tear apart my other fish. I just wan't one that can handle its own against my killer cobra pike.
Yeah... I think the RD could definately handle itself... And after thinking about it, I guess it could work, but keep an eyen on the RD. If it felt so inclined I bet it could take out any of the other fish. You could give it a go, though personally I wouldnt risk it.