New to american cichlids please help!!
- Thread starter Hereditary47
- Start date
In order to have a properly sized group of both species, the tank would eventually be overstocked IMO. Also, the firemouths will likely be more aggressive, so may have problems there. Then, there is also the issue of FMs being central American cichlids, which prefer a harder water with higher pH, and most geophagus would prefer the opposite, softer low pH water.
Overall, I would just pick one or the other. What pH and hardness your tapwater is (if using tap) may help make the decision for you. Either group of cichlids could likely go with some dithers (swordtails etc for FMs, large tetras for geos) and perhaps a catfish
The water coming out is high ph, when i had african cichlids i didnt even need to use a buffer so with that being said i need to stick to central american then correct?
Central americans would most likely do better than geophagus in your water then, yes. I think the thoricthys would be great, I have 5 in a 55 growing out and their group behavior is interesting to watch.
Rainbow cichlid group would be cool if you didn't like the firemouth. 6 of them with a school of wild type livebearers
I agree with Gourami Swami, with your tap water, the FMs are a better choice, and in a 75, I doubt any other cichlid will fit.
A friend of mine had a male fire mouth that was @ 12", it took a long time to get there though.
In hard tap water many (not all) Geophagines would be prone to HLLE over time, unless you are very into many, water changes, and/or adding peat.
If you like Geophagines, the red hump group of pelligrini, steindachner or crassilabrus would be better choices for your water, in a 75 maybe 1 male and 3 feels of one or the other species.
or the same goes for the Gymnogeophagines of Southern Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina (although these are more sub-tropical, so a heater is not really recommended
Gymnogeophagus sp Paso Pache
Gymnogeophagus "rio yerbalito
both above from Uruguay
below Gymnogeophagus balzani from northern Uruguay and southern Brazil
If I were to compare most "Central American" cichlids to a salt water fish, I would say Centrals have similar disposition and territorial sense to Damsel fish, one of the reasons in 75 gal, I only recommend a single species, and to me, nothing larger the 7.5" for a 75 gal.
A friend of mine had a male fire mouth that was @ 12", it took a long time to get there though.
In hard tap water many (not all) Geophagines would be prone to HLLE over time, unless you are very into many, water changes, and/or adding peat.
If you like Geophagines, the red hump group of pelligrini, steindachner or crassilabrus would be better choices for your water, in a 75 maybe 1 male and 3 feels of one or the other species.
or the same goes for the Gymnogeophagines of Southern Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina (although these are more sub-tropical, so a heater is not really recommended
Gymnogeophagus sp Paso Pache
Gymnogeophagus "rio yerbalito
both above from Uruguay
below Gymnogeophagus balzani from northern Uruguay and southern Brazil
If I were to compare most "Central American" cichlids to a salt water fish, I would say Centrals have similar disposition and territorial sense to Damsel fish, one of the reasons in 75 gal, I only recommend a single species, and to me, nothing larger the 7.5" for a 75 gal.
How about an oscar or a red devil? Great personalities, behavior and very beautiful!
