Switching to SA / CA tank

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H

Hackney

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Nov 19, 2010
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Cincinnati
Hey everyone,
I'm new to the site, and just signed up because i have a few questions. I have had a African Cichlid tank for a liitle over a year and a half. After about 6 months of wanting to switch over to South American cichlids i finally made the move and got rid of all my africans.

The tank is 125 gallons with 2 rena xp3's and an AC110. I know for sure i want to get a GT and a JD maybe a few others. Suggestions? I dont want to have more than around 5 fish or so. I have no experience with SA Cichlids, so how fast do these species grow? If they don't have the best color as a juvi can they develop it as they mature? I really like the colors of SA's better and that is the reason for my swith. These are just questions to help me pick out the best fish when i go to purchase them. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
 
you've asked some very broad questions that can't really be answered. Different species grow and color up at different rates and some will be more colorful than others. It all depends on the species and the quality of the genes of the actual fish you get.

If you're looking for highly colorful fish then I would recommend the Vieja/Paratheraps group. Take a look at synspilum, breidhori, zonatus, regani etc. These all fish do grow rather large though to at least 12" or so.

There are a lot of other options as well. You could also try looking at www.cichlidae.com. Go to the catalogue and then to Cichlids. Just look through the different genus pics and see what species you like and then come back here and we can give you info on them. :)
 
Growth rate varies considerably depending on species. For the most part sa/ca will color up as they mature, a fish with 12" potential will look much better at 8" than 2".

When I'm looking for ideas I tend to google very general phrases like sa cichlids and start narrowing it down once I get a better idea what direction I'm heading.
 
My questions were for green terrors and jack dempseys. Kinda interested in texans as well. Also what other fish should I maybe take a look at. Thanks
 
Maybe I've worded my questions wrong as all of the answers are on growth rate. I want to know General knowledge things on them growth rate being one, but also when they really start to color up, other tank mates and such.
 
Its hard to say when they will colour up because there are so many variables. Tanksize, tankmates, substrate, gentetics, water chemistry and breeding all affect thier colouring.

Drastic and fast changes in colour is typical cichlid behaviour. Most will display thier best colours when they are close to fully grown or when spawning.

Dempsys and green terrors are both probably 'Medium' size so look for other simular sized cichlids that are as aggressive. Firemouths, Convicts and Salvini(can be pretty nasty) are often kept with dempsys and gt's.

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/ has profiles of many cichlids, search in the central and south american groups and see what you like.
 
It depends, some new world cichlids are different than others.
Like jack dempseys for example.
They have pretty good color throughout the grow out period.
Although, the pattern is somewhat different between juvenile, & adulthood.
Green terrors also have good color throughout the grow out period into adulthood.

Others, like midas, & vieja, start out a bit bland, then grow into it as they age.
 
Okay. After reading around i think i am going to go w a pair of Dempseys and a Texas Cichlid as my big boys. And get a few smaller fish in there as well. Severums? Clown Loaches? Ideas?
 
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