You might need to add dithers...Jack Dempseys tend to be shy when there is little movement in the tank.
Thank you, I was unaware of grow rate of different types. Hopefully I'll be at my current station long enough to see some grow up. Will be sad to give some up when the day does come.My time in the army was also a time where I couldn't keep fish.
Since you like plants, and the tanks are on the small side, you may want to choose Central American cichlids wisely.
Most Vieja type are primarily or at least partially vegetarian, and will decimate most plants, and many other territorial cichlids will tear them up in small tanks.
I have had good luck with cichlids of the genus Criboheros, P panamense and A nanoluteus and plants
Cribroheros (formerly Astathoeros)rostratum, these do well in groups and will not outgrow your tanks for couple years if bought young enough
Amatitlania nanoluteus, these will not outgrow you your tanks
P (formerly Archocentrus) panamense also grow slow and not outgrow your tanks for a long time
any Vieja, Parachromis and many other will outgrow your tanks in a year, maybe less.
Others (although may be hard to find), that has done well for me with plants are cichlids of the genus Theraps
below Theraps lentaginosus
![]()



