As the title says my only interaction w natives has been on the end of a rod. I find it quite fascinating the idea of keeping them as pets. Are there any that can mix w warmer water cichlids? I know cichlids can thrive in the southern u.s. So I'm sure there are natives in the waters they invade. My question is behavior and size wise. Also temps would need to be in the mid to high 70's. May not be possible at all. Just curious. Please don't flame me. Thanks.
No idea about natives.
- Thread starter richkid
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My uncle has a longear who is awesome, great personality and color, he's in a warm water setup with a green sunfish who is also very cool. 
Warmouth are also cool, they can change their pattern when hunting and can get some size to them.View attachment 957083
Warmouth are also cool, they can change their pattern when hunting and can get some size to them.View attachment 957083
I don't want anything too big for my cichlids to handle. I don't know if I'm wrong or not cause I'm not super knowledgeable about natives. I do go fishing. 
but I always thought our fish were more aggressive than the tropicals. Maybe I'm wrong. I'm thinking maybe 6-8" max. That long ear has better color than a lot of cichlids! I've never seen natives under aquarium lights. Almost like a discus w that pattern. Or a nice sevrum. Beautiful.
but I always thought our fish were more aggressive than the tropicals. Maybe I'm wrong. I'm thinking maybe 6-8" max. That long ear has better color than a lot of cichlids! I've never seen natives under aquarium lights. Almost like a discus w that pattern. Or a nice sevrum. Beautiful.
Most new world cichlids are fine with temps in the 70sF (some prefer lower temps, such as Australoheros, some Crenicichla, and Gymnogeophagus, (I keep all 3 of these genus in unheated tanks)).
And in places, like northern Mexico, there are Herichthys, Micropterus and Lepomis that inhabit the same waters. I also keep Herichthys sp in unheated tanks 9 months out of the year.
And in places, like northern Mexico, there are Herichthys, Micropterus and Lepomis that inhabit the same waters. I also keep Herichthys sp in unheated tanks 9 months out of the year.
I don't want anything too big for my cichlids to handle. I don't know if I'm wrong or not cause I'm not super knowledgeable about natives. I do go fishing.
6-8 inches max for your cichlids, as far as Centrarchids go you could put Western Dollars, Longear from the south (Louisians longear), Redspotted or Blackspotted Sunfish (if theyre from the south) if your tank is big enough with structure, and if you turn the temps down to allow seasons (this could be just changing the temp gradually from 78- 70 degrees for a few months in the winter)they should work out ok.