Need names of beautiful Cichlids

[clenzpilot32]

The other day I got rid of all my Guppys and got my first cichlids which are 2 Aulonacara Suartgrantis and a blue dolphin. (I only got them because at the moment I've only got a 22L tank). I was just wondering what other fish would go well with them. I've just ordered a 3ft tank for them but I don't know all the measurements of it but I would say it's around 130L. It will look all natural with earthy coloured gravel a few big rocks and a variety of plants. So yeah it would be great if anyone could give me some names of some colourful cichlids. Thanks.

 

[Pharaoh]

Well, it looks as though you have started out keeping the peacocks. You are going to want to keep pretty much just peacocks and haps.
Here is a good link for ideas.
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/category.php?cat=3

 

[Muske]

Did you already order the 3' tank?

Since your doing aulonacara now, you can stick w/them and the many dif. colors avail. Peacocks will do better w/ a 4'+ tank.

 

[clenzpilot32]

I was going to order a 4ft but I don't have anywhere suitable to put it. So I have ordered the 3ft tank already. Thanks I'll go with the aulonacara.

 

[clenzpilot32]

Thanks for the link!

 

[cichlidgirl]

You will want to exchange the blue dolphin for another peacock. They get 9+ inches and are way too big for your 3 foot tank. The peacocks should do ok though in general. You will want to avoid getting males and females though since once they hit 3 inches or so they will develop spawning activity and the males will harass the females to the point of death and fight amonst themselves. They will also hybridize with each other mixing species when they breed is frowned on in general. A typical way to tell males from females is that the males will develop stunning colors around 3 to 4 inches and the females will remain somewhat drab brown or silver in color. A all male peacock tank is spectacular, put lots of rockwork and extra oversized filtration on the tank and keep a whole bunch of males in there. That would be very nice, its hard to recommend just one peacock since they all are wonderful colored fish. PS: OB peacocks the males and females look the same, most of the other varieties are as i described above. You could try to do a single breed of fish with one male and 2 or 3 females , they will likely breed for you , you would just have to be careful the females have escape areas in rock caves etc..

 

[clenzpilot32]

Thanks!

 

[clenzpilot32]

How quick do blue dolphins grow?

 

[mike dunagan]

Not very fast... slower than most haps...

 

[clenzpilot32]

Thanks man.