My SA Cichlid Obsession

[mrrobxc]

I’ve just recently become more active on this site after taking a long break to IG and FB and wanted to share my setups and also my love for SA Cichlids. I’ve been into aquariums since before I can remember but fell in love with cichlids when I got my first Jack Dempsey’s when I was about 7 or 8.

Since then, I’ve been all over the world with cichlids going from CA, to Malawi, to Tanganyika, Victoria, and West African before returning to what was my true love in CA cichlids. I was specifically into Parachromis, Amphilophus, Maskaheros, and Vieja. I always thought SA cichlids were boring and never got into them.

Fast forward a couple years where I found myself heavily involved with Planted set ups...being as addicted to the plants and fish as I was to all the equipment choices and learning how to scape. I thoroughly enjoyed them and it was my first real venture into keeping SA dwarf Cichlids, Angels, Discus, and festivums. Still, SA cichlids were still “boring” to me and really only served as cichlids that work well with planted tanks.

All that changed when I got into Crenicichla. As I started collecting species, I found myself looking for other SA cichlid tankmates and my journey took me to geophagus, Caquetaia, Hoplarchus, Hypselecara, Astronotus, Heros, aequiedens, cichla, etc and I’ve been hooked ever since.

I think what draws me to them is their subtle beauty, the ability to keep them with relatively minor aggression issues, and the myriad choices we have to build setups of multiple species across genera and families to create a a cohesive and functioning display. It also allowed me to indulge in the fun of scaping and live plants that I picked up during my time with planted tanks. All aspects of the hobby I enjoy coming together in one type of setup.

All my tanks hold Crenicichla, driftwood, and utilize live plants in some way or another. Lately, characins have caught my attention along with Plecos so my setups are diversifying a bit in those departments.

Anyway, I wanted to share them here.

 

[mrrobxc]

First, my 600.

This tank holds two species of Cichla, Crenicichla Zebrina, Heros Severus, a Silver Arowana, a Flagtail Prochilodus, and a trio of L24’s. Plants are anubias barteri on the wood and pothos up above. This tank taught me so much about custom plumbing and filtration. Thanks to the good folks on this site who coached me through the build especially JK47 who literally walked me through the plumbing, the pump and filter recommendations, etc.

The wood in this scape is comprised of large Malaysian pieces scaled in a “shelf” design to maximize floor space and swimming room. Plenty of cover while minimizing tank space.

 

[mrrobxc]

Next is the 280. This tank has unique dimensions and I’m thankful to this site since I found the tank on the classifieds here. Dimensions are 80x34x24. The tank doesn’t seem big until you look at the side view. I love this setup since it allows me to keep some of the “medium” species.

Inhabitants are Crenicichla Multispinosa, Caquetaia Myersi, Astronotus Crassipinnis, Pseudanos Vari, Acnodon Normani, Chalceus Erythrurus, Geophagus Winemilleri, an L600 and a couple Bushynose Plecos for Algae control. Plants are simply pothos planted up top. The Crassipinnis are growing out and will go into the 600 once they hit the 10” mark.

I had some swords plants in here but I took them out and used them for another setup.

 

[mrrobxc]

Next is my 150. Dimensions are 60x24x24. This setup is for the smaller fish mixed with some Altums. These are F1 from Wes fugupuff . I have them mixed with some Crenicichla Orinoco Dwarf, Ivanocara Adoketa, Bleeding Heart Tetras, Red Phantom Tetras, Corydoras CW-049, and a Farlowella. The wood is manzanita with java fern planted up top. I used the shelving method here as well for the wood to maximize space while creating plenty of cover. This is the closest to a biotope of my setups since all fish are found in the Orinoco.

 

[mrrobxc]

And lastly, my newest build which is a 110 Riparium. The tank holds about 75 gallons of water. The fish are Crenicichla Saxatilis, Geophagus Alto Sinu, some Brochis Splendens, Rhodsia Altipinna (courtesy of cichlidnut ), and some Bushynose plecos for algae control. This build isn’t complete but it has quite a few different plant species. Most of which are African or South American.

 

[mrrobxc]

I have a 40 breeder that holds more grow out Crenicichla Saxatilis that will go into the 110 as soon as I get a breeding pair. Not a display by any means but a tank for refugees more than anything.

All in all, I’m obsessed and I’m hopeful these setups encourage you to dive into SA cichlids. You won’t be sorry. There is literally something for everyone.

Thanks for allowing me to share.

 

[cichlidnut]

Super nice keep up the good work

 

[sevs and sajicas for me]

Man...those are some beautiful tanks!

 

[neutrino]

Impressive, very nice. My arc in the hobby was somewhat similar, started as a kid, though I was more SA than CA oriented, also some oddballs, then did Africans for years, then got into Cyphotilapia (and still have some kapampa), meanwhile, back to new worlds... keep getting tempted by carpintis these days, but.. so many geos and so little time, lol, and the arc has shifted in my case because my fishroom has been downsized to make room for a woodworking hobby.

 

[Backfromthedead]

Your tanks are phenomenal. Inspiring even. I'll bet the fish at your lfs jump out the tanks to get into a bag for you.