Once again I'm looking for 1 more cichlid

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bbortko

bbortko

Polypterus
MFK Member
Mar 3, 2010
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Northwest, Indiana
I'm going to be attending a local swap meet and trying to come up with a wish list for the final fish for my tank. I want this fish to be owner responsive, colorful and around 12" when grown. The tank is 125g with driftwood and very secure artificial plants. Here is a run down of what I have as well as what I like. I have never kept anything on my wish list so all I know is what I've read, any additional input to supplement my thoughts as well as overlooked species will be greatly appreciated.

Current stock:
Geophagus Iporangensis - breeding pair 7-8", nasty but not very powerful, generally only messes with my rotkeil but occassionally gives all a quick chase
Acarichthys Heckelii - single speciment 5-6", minds his own
Heros sp Rotkeil - single specimen 8", minds his own exept when the geos mess with him hes more than happy to return the favor
Crenicichla sp Bellycrawler - single specimen 5", mostly minds his own but occasional chases others away
Silver dollars - 3 of the common variety 4-5"

Wishlist:
Gold Saum - everthing I want in a fish but not sure if I want to gamble on getting a passive one(the first fish I would buy if I was starting with a clean slate)
Hoplarchus Psittacus - Beautiful fish, cant find enough about personality
Hypselecara Temporalis - Has the reported personality, not sure on non-spawn coloration and heard that while they can defend themselves physically they stress easily and my geos give the rotkeil all he can handle
Caquetaia Spectabilis - Has the looks, fear my current stock is borderline too small(may get eaten) and with being an ambush predator it may not have the personality I'm looking for
Cichla Kelberi - I've always loved the looks of cichla and with a 125 this is the only option
Asthaheros - There are couple species I like but trying to stay SA
 
The green terror (gold saum), I agree is probably a bit to aggressive for your existing stock.
I have a friend that has the parrot (hoplarchus) in with smaller fish and he does real well with them. But he is getting rid of him due to the Parrot being to skittish and shy and always hiding.
Never owned the Chocolate (hypselecara) but every time I see them in lfs they are always out and about. Now as for personality and owner responsiveness. I dont know.
Spectabilis is far to aggressive.
Kelberi is a peacock bass, and they all can be very aggressive, from what I have heard.
The Astetheros species. There are some very nice looking fish in this group. I currently have the Rytisma, Robertsoni, and the Nourasatti. All are on the aggressive side, but not like the gold saum or the spec. But none of them are really owner responsive. I only see them come out at feeding time. They could care less otherwise.

That probably wasn't much help. I do like the Acara's but again not sure on personality. Sorry. :(

GL on your quest.
 
I place any breeding pair in their own tank........
 
Sounds like the chocolate is my best bet out of this batch. Maybe I'll go back to the drawing board and get a couple smallerfish.
 
Azedenkae said:
I would suggest a chocolate, of the choices you've given. However as you do have a large tank (I think) and want something big but will work in the tank, may I suggest a Red Bay Snook?
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A snook would be nice, I like both colors, but would my fish become feeders? I've always read they get 18" and fan swallow fish half their size.
 
I would go with the chocolate. I've heard the Caquetaia are pretty aggressive and the Hoplarchus is going to be too large IMO, based on the tank size and the current stock. I do realize that chocolates have the potential to grow fairly big, but my psittacus dwarfed my chocolate and was also way more aggressive toward severums and geos than the chocolate. The Cichla would probably grow too large as well, and the Gold Saum may be aggressive.

Chocolates can go either way with severums. Sometimes they get along, sometimes they don't. Try to get one on the smaller side (but not so small that it could get bullied to death) to reduce the risk of it going to war with your severum. They can sometimes be shy and sulky but it really depends on the tankmates. Mine always showed great colors and they change very rapidly from purple to bright green and maroon. They're great fish.
 
My chocolate had great colors and tough enough to defend himself,but I not much on personality.stayed out patroling the tank though.maybe a blue acara? Or diadema?

from cel
 
In my limited experience Astetheros are mostly shy and don't get over 7". Somebody correct me if this is wrong?

First fish that came to mind for you is a Male Amphilophus Lyonsi! They are very outgoing, owner responsive, and Males get to around 12". They are much more peaceful then any of the other amphilophus.

My 8" Male and 6" Female beg like crazy and only nip at each other after water changes. They have the same temperament as Synspilum IMO. I can't see a Male Lyonsi bothering your current stock

I know you would like SA and Lyonsi aren't on your wish list but thought they might fit your needs.
 
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