Nicaraguensis numbers

[DHarris]

My current set up is a 150 gallon with lots of plecos and a number of (so far) peaceful cichlids. About two months ago I added a pair of Nicaraguensis, which are starting to color up and look great. Other than the male occasionally flaring up at some of the other tank mates, there have been zero signs of aggression. The more I read up on these, the more conflicting reports I hear regarding aggression. Some say they're mellow, others say they're insane, especially if spawning.

I'd be curious to hear others experiences on that. Unless they're just like some other cichlids where it depends on the specific fish.

My male is roughly 6" and the female is probably 4".

Last week I stopped in at the shop where I got these and there was another male that's really getting some terrific color, which is significantly different than mine. There also appeared to be one or two other females left.

If I were to add a second pair, would I be likely inviting trouble or could they work in a 150?

I'm rather heavily stocked but keep up with my maintenance and water changes so everyone is healthy. Would potentially aggression be mitigated as a result of the number of fish currently in there? Other than a pike, all of my various cichlids seem to pay little attention to one another.

I do intend to upgrade tho a 240 gallon or so in the nearish future but it's potentially another few of months before I pull the trigger.

 

[duanes]

The advise is correct, when not spawning they could be thought of a fairly non-aggressive, if they spawn you may need to remove all other tank mates, because they can be great parents, killing all that come near the spawn.

There are many location variants that sport different colors.
I usually figure a 125 - 150 gallon or similar size tank, is only large enough for 1 pair of any medium size mated pair of adult cichlids (especially with fry).

 

[Rocksor]

duanes would an additional 2 feet (from 6ft) even matter that much to a breeding pair of nics? The addition of 2 feet would not mean that you could easily add a 2nd breeding pair and have things go well for both pairs, correct?

 

[duanes]

duanes would an additional 2 feet (from 6ft) even matter that much to a breeding pair of nics? The addition of 2 feet would not mean that you could easily add a 2nd breeding pair and have things go well for both pairs, correct?

That's always the $64 question, most medium size Central American cichlids will break off chase of a territorial interloper (from a certain point) at @ 4 ft.
So with an 8ft tank, there is arguably enough territorial room for two pair of adult cichlids, if each set up a spawning site at each opposite end of the tank.
But a 6 ft tank, cuts one of the pairs territory in half, and makes constant contention of the DMZ area the issue.
And the more interlopers in the tank such as Plecos, and other cichlids, the more stressful ignition fueled atmosphere is created if spawning occurs.

This is why I previously always had about 20 tanks going, I could never resist another cichlid that became available, but found I could never afford large enough tanks to allow for compatible cichlid communities.

In my 180 at the moment, one pair of small cichlids have spawned, this has resulted in most other cichlids pinned to the surface of opposite side of the tank, and a few dead males, who irrationally accepted the heightened aggressive spawning hormonal pairs challenge.
And these are small cichlids, only topping off for males at 7", and @ 5" for females . I accept this as inevitable collateral damage, in a 6 ft tank.
The tank had been cruising along fairly peaceably for about a year until the trigger of spawning occurred.


And over time as the school of fry has dwindled due to predation, the guarding pairs aggression has risen, making the attacks on other tank residents more severe.

 

[duanes]

Although I accept collateral damage, I also try to provide refuge at the surface of communities by adding floating aquatic plants, and lots of dangling roots for other cichlidsto escape into.

But even in such a tangle, ripped fins and the like are inevitable.

 

[Toiletcar]

I agree w/ Duane. My meeki pair even had tank mates pinned to one side in a 150g. The only CA cichlid I’ve had success keeping multiple pairs was HRPs. I had 3 breeding pairs and they never got too aggressive.