New to SA Cichlids: Need help =)

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Durgren

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Nov 10, 2008
5
0
1
Farmington Hills, Michigan
Hello! And apologies for any stupidity on my part.
I have a newly set up 55g tank, and after doing some research, I went to my LFS to pick up a fish or two to get the Nitrogen Cycle going with the ultimate goal of getting a Polypterus Senegalus. Being $35 for one at my LFS, I wasn't going to risk him starting it out, but ended up getting 2 little (1 1/2"-2") Jack Dempsys for $5. Anyways, later, after doing some research, I got an interest in them and South American Cichlids, finding lots of them quite attractive, along with their medium size.
Now, the questions:
1) What's a safe number of 8-12" SA Cichlids to put in a 55G? Fish will be bought as juveniles.
2) If it is safe to house 3 or 4 fish, would it be prudent to take one of the JDs back, to avoid ganging up?
3) Which fish would go well with a JD? I assume fish of similar size and aggression?
4) Would there be a place in there for a pike cichlid, and any suggestions on which type? Or maybe even a Senegal Bichir?
Any tips or even criticism would be great :)
Thank you.
 
1) 0 in my opinion for 8-12" cichlids i'd go with a 75 gallon atleast.
2) and you could raise these fish all together but you'll need a bigger tank eventually and i don't think they would gang up on eachother.
3) Green Terror Oscar Dollars Pleco
4) I'm pretty sure a pikes can live in a 55 gallon, maybe even two if you do water changes atleast once a week.
 
Camphilophus;2408857; said:
let me know when you want to get some cool fish. I'm in Howell, Michigan and have a lot of cool fish.
Click to expand...
CAMP HAS HOOKUPS.
 
they say its ok for one 8-12" fish a 55, but i dont. i dont think its right to make an 8-12" fish have to turn completely around in only 12" wide tank. Id go for at least a 75gal tank where they would have 18" to turn around in.
 
You should keep away from buying just 2 of any cichlid as one will always be the aggresor to the other and often cause a lot of damage stress death etc... goto the crenicichla server on here to figure out which pike you may want... Once you get into SA cichlids you will end up wanting a bigger tank soon anyway... right now in my 55 gallon i have 1 red devil 4 inches, a flowerhorn 4 inches, 2 grammodes 5 and 3 inches m/f, a cuban and 5 baby dovi at 1-2 inches... a catfish at max size 6 inches and a lil flounder lol... this is only a growout tank although but there is so much agressive fish in the tank that it is at a hold firefrom any one fish being too aggresive.

as for taking the jack dempsey back keep it if you like it... try fire mouths or convicts as a beginning. then get into the bigger more aggressive types... there wont be GANGING up unless you get a pair male and female with the jack dempseys

the senegal imo wont be bother by fish growing up with it... i have kept them with huge jags and they just swim around them unless they are breeding...
 
that sux ur in michigan or id give u some nice cons... theyd go good with JDs
 
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