south american cichlid advice

[Jason_S]

Firstly, welcome to MFK.



Completely agree with this.

Lastly, a pet hate of mine is people referring to all American Cichlids as South Americans, most of them come from Central America

If you've ever got any questions, feel free to ask in here; just try and do your research beforehand

Well he was partly right...the GT is south american

Anyway, with the fish you're keeping and only a 55 gallon tank the best bet is to pick the one fish you like best and keep it and get rid of the rest. That is unless you can get another tank because I personally wouldn't attempt keeping a red devil with any other fish in less than a 125 but that's just me.

 

[Hawkfish3.0]

you'll be fine with a RD and a GT in a 55 until they get to about 6-7", after that, go bigger. I hear GT's are supposed to be pretty viscious. my RD is probably the most easygoing of all my fish. its near impossible to predict the disposition of an individual specimen.

Judging by Angler's signature, (9 large fish, including a Jag, in a 125) you should be able to pull off a RD and a GT in a 90. Unless he has some secret to keeping the peace he's not giving up. I'd probably go the 125 route that tongue suggested, though.

You have some strange fish, friend. GT's, in general, are pretty mellow. Of course the disposition of any given fish depends on the individual, however, most GT's are fairly mellow. RD's on the other hand are usually very, very aggressive. It's pretty cool that you have such a mellow devil. I wish I could find a devil that wouldn't kill all my other cichlids.

 

[pcfriedrich]

You have some strange fish, friend. GT's, in general, are pretty mellow. Of course the disposition of any given fish depends on the individual, however, most GT's are fairly mellow. RD's on the other hand are usually very, very aggressive. It's pretty cool that you have such a mellow devil. I wish I could find a devil that wouldn't kill all my other cichlids.

my RD has about the same disposition as my oscar. My convicts are the only trouble makers in my tank.

 

[TrikkyMakk]

In a 55 gallon the only fish that could last in their comfortably for its entire existence would be the green terror. The rest get too aggressive when they are cramped (and when they are not as well sometimes).

Monster fish need monster tanks.

 

[pcfriedrich]

In a 55 gallon the only fish that could last in their comfortably for its entire existence would be the green terror. The rest get too aggressive when they are cramped (and when they are not as well sometimes).

Monster fish need monster tanks.

I agree. Only try to keep more than the GT if you are getting a larger aquarium.

 

[Angler]

you'll be fine with a RD and a GT in a 55 until they get to about 6-7", after that, go bigger. I hear GT's are supposed to be pretty viscious. my RD is probably the most easygoing of all my fish. its near impossible to predict the disposition of an individual specimen.

Judging by Angler's signature, (9 large fish, including a Jag, in a 125) you should be able to pull off a RD and a GT in a 90. Unless he has some secret to keeping the peace he's not giving up. I'd probably go the 125 route that tongue suggested, though.

lol. I wish I had some secret to keeping cichlids peaceful. All these fish very well may not co-exist well in my tank once they grow larger. Their sizes are - Argentea 10," Pike 10," Jag 5," Festae 4.5," Rotkeil is sold, and bichirs and Lima don't really count when we are talking about aggression. Once the Jag and female Festae get bigger, I may have to get rid of 1 or some fish.

You are right when you say you cannot predict the disposition of an individual specimen. An RD and a GT may or may not work in a 90 together. If I had to put money on it, I would say these two fish would not be able to be together forever in a 90.

 

[FSM]

Also, GTs grow very slow. Mine isn't even growing a 1/2 inch per month. The Red Devil will outgrow him very quickly, and will eventually outgrow the whole tank. If the GT is male, it will get 8-10 inches max, maybe slightly more, but the RD can get 12 inches or more.