Looking for some SA gentle giants

[Mythic Figment]

So I am slowly purchasing the pieces to build a 240g, 8' long tank and I am looking for some options for larger fish. I figure I will have this tank up and running in about a year.

I am getting some true parrot cichlids (Hoplarchus psittacus) at 2" here in a few weeks in the hopes of eventually breeding them and I'm looking for 2-3 other large growing cichlids. I have my eye on chocolate cichlids as a definite potential. I know about oscars and uaru, but an not interested in keep either species. I want to stick with SA cichlids, but will consider some CAs.

These guys will start out small and grow out in my 55 for the next little while before making their way to my 125 and then finally move to their 240 forever home.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks all!


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[Dan F]

Festivums get big and are pretty cool.

 

[Jc1119]

Of you would consider CEs, Pearsei or Bocourti grow very large, can handle themselves quite well and never seem to pick fights....

Both giants at maturity.


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[viejafish]

JC, the OP is asking about SAs, not CAs. There are a lot more mild tempered SAs than CAs to pick from, such as chocolate, severum, geophagus, Festivums, Aquidens, angels, discus .. . . etc. Even oscar is considered mild tempered tank busters compared with CAs.

 

[Jc1119]

JC, the OP is asking about SAs, not CAs. There are a lot more mild tempered SAs than CAs to pick from, such as chocolate, severum, geophagus, Festivums, Aquidens, angels, discus .. . . etc. Even oscar is considered mild tempered tank busters compared with CAs.

He said he would also consider centrals in his original post.

Just adding my experience with them.


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[Loshmitchell101]

Im not sure if theyre CA or SA but I have red head Vieja who are syper calm in a 180 with oscars and a female festae, my vieja grew really fast and get pretty big and are totally harmless.

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[Mythic Figment]

Im not sure if theyre CA or SA but I have red head Vieja who are syper calm in a 180 with oscars and a female festae, my vieja grew really fast and get pretty big and are totally harmless.

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I know there are herbivore Vieja, but I've heard stories about how even they can be quite territorial. I am not really a big fan of the look of most of this species and the ones I do like are the really aggressive omnivores.

JC, the OP is asking about SAs, not CAs. There are a lot more mild tempered SAs than CAs to pick from, such as chocolate, severum, geophagus, Festivums, Aquidens, angels, discus .. . . etc. Even oscar is considered mild tempered tank busters compared with CAs.

I would consider some CAs if they are peaceful enough to live with my other intended fish without posing a potential threat to them.

I already own severum and geophagus and they are both definitely favorites, but I am looking for something new to me. I wouldn't consider angels and discus to be giants, but they are gentle. Unfortunately I don't think they would fair well with the other fish I intend to keep. I do like acaras as well, and like the festivum, they are on my "maybe" list if I don't find a bigger monster I really like. But yes, I agree that there are a larger selection of peaceful, yet large SA cichlids when compared to CA cichlids.

Of you would consider CEs, Pearsei or Bocourti grow very large, can handle themselves quite well and never seem to pick fights....

Both giants at maturity.


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I would consider a female Pearsei. Not a fan of fish that develop the humps on their heads. But this would be a species that could work well. All the info I have found on Bocourti say they are aggressive, so I will pass on them, but they are very pretty.

Festivums get big and are pretty cool.

I do like festivum and they are definitely in my "maybe" pile. I should have said this, but I am looking for a couple of fish that hit in the 12-16" range.


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[BassetsForBrown]

EBJD isn't a giant, but not small. Hit's about 5in, 12.7cm. but they are beautiful compared to most any SA/CA and is very very docile.

 

[archers]

Chocolate cichlids are gentle giants

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[spazmattik]

I also wanted to pick up some true parrots.. they might not put up with the chocolates though since they look a little similar at a young age and are a little more aggressive...or so ive read. how about breidohri? then we will basically have the same fish minus the geophagus lol. to bad you arnt local. I am trying to sell off my extra chocolates from the FL vendor I pointed you to for the blue acaras.