New fish ideas?
- Thread starter Madpanda
- Start date
There are believed to be at least 700 species of cichlids between the southern part of South America, ranging north to Texas. And between those areas are many climate zones, and varying types of water.
For a 60 gallon tank I would eliminate any that get larger than 6" as adults, so this nails down your choices to about 400 species.
The other criteria you may want to consider is the type tap water you have. Is it hard and laden with minerals?
Or is it soft.
If hard, and alkaline the Central Americans, and those South Americans from "west" of the Andes would be good choices.
If soft, the species from the Amazon, and equatorial areas in mid South America "east" of the Andes, may be more apropos.
If your tap water is neutral, neither soft nor hard, just about anything will work except the most sensitive species.
Will you prefer to use a heater or not, using room temp water?
If not, the species from Uruguay, Argentina and southern Brazil may be right for you, as would those from northern Mexico.
Some of those from northern South America need much warmer water than others.
If you could provide more details about your water parameters (provided to you on your water bill, by your water provider), a much more educated response could be given.
For a 60 gallon tank I would eliminate any that get larger than 6" as adults, so this nails down your choices to about 400 species.
The other criteria you may want to consider is the type tap water you have. Is it hard and laden with minerals?
Or is it soft.
If hard, and alkaline the Central Americans, and those South Americans from "west" of the Andes would be good choices.
If soft, the species from the Amazon, and equatorial areas in mid South America "east" of the Andes, may be more apropos.
If your tap water is neutral, neither soft nor hard, just about anything will work except the most sensitive species.
Will you prefer to use a heater or not, using room temp water?
If not, the species from Uruguay, Argentina and southern Brazil may be right for you, as would those from northern Mexico.
Some of those from northern South America need much warmer water than others.
If you could provide more details about your water parameters (provided to you on your water bill, by your water provider), a much more educated response could be given.
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Like duanes stated, your water type will play a part in what fish you would be better off keeping.
Another question to give a better answer would be- do you want a single fish? Pair? Community? All would have different options.
Some Ideas:
Pair of C. Sajica (or any cryptoheros/amatitlania really)
Harem of apistogramma or rams (1m 2-3f) with some tetras
Single salvini cichlid with some swordtail dithers.
Another question to give a better answer would be- do you want a single fish? Pair? Community? All would have different options.
Some Ideas:
Pair of C. Sajica (or any cryptoheros/amatitlania really)
Harem of apistogramma or rams (1m 2-3f) with some tetras
Single salvini cichlid with some swordtail dithers.
I like this idea, or doing a trio of Convict, C. Sajica, H. Multispinosa, all males
Pair of any fish that stays 6-7" and below should work fine.
Cryptoheros, amatitlania species would be my choice, along with some central American livebearers. Your neutral water will work fine for them, 75* should be fine too. Best bet to get a pair, is to buy 6 small juveniles, grow them up to 2-3" at which point you will probably get a pair, then sell off/give away the others.
Cryptoheros, amatitlania species would be my choice, along with some central American livebearers. Your neutral water will work fine for them, 75* should be fine too. Best bet to get a pair, is to buy 6 small juveniles, grow them up to 2-3" at which point you will probably get a pair, then sell off/give away the others.