The Cichla Project -

[dr exum]

Looking for any insight other Cichla keepers have into housing groups of Cichla

GOALS -

1. keep as many cichla as i can safely keep
2. breeding
3. collect 2 of as many species as possible

I have 10 currently - 10”-12” in a 625g

Tanks on the radar to add -

6’x30”x30” x 2 - VS. - 140”x30”x30” - (2020)
think the 280’s may be more versatile as the width does not accommodate long term housing of any monsters except maybe kelberi...

and later due to cost ? -

10’x3’x30” (2021) could be wider up to 6’.... depends on cost and necessity - this could hopefully house the Adult bass once they get over 14” - how many adults could i house in here? looks to be around 550g at 3’ width and 900g’s at a 5’ width

and still later - an enclosed above/below ground heated pond outside below upper deck - as many thousands of gallons as i can fit ?

Current Stock -

Monoculous - 2 (m/f)
Ocellaris -2 (f/f)
Orino -2 (m/f)
Kelberi - 2 (m/f)
Brokopondo -2 (m/f)
Fogo Marinae -2 (x/x)

not yet purchased

Intermedia - 0
Azul - 0
Xingu - 0
Pinima - 0

Tems - Sadly too big to keep - 2-3 in an 8’x4’x30”?

Going to remove the Arow 16” , L600 7” ,and 2 cats (16”/8”) from 625g to make more space for Bass if needed vs Spilt bass into two groups -

water quality still good nitrate 10ppm on 80 gallon per day drip..

fogo ? come next Saturday - going into 75g QT for couple weeks until i get a game plan!

Cheers!

 

[TheWolfman]

You really are a dedicated fish keeper. All those tanks and different fish that you keep is awesome. IMO the breeding thing isn't all it's chocked up to be. My pair get so territorial that they keep all the other bass on the other side of the tank when their in spawn mode, witch happens twice a month... ugg. I don't raise the fry and the fish eat the eggs after 2 days. Most go over the overflow.

 

[Tony A.]

That's a real nice looking tank and fish. We never have enough bass tanks and bass. Or money ?lol. Wife keeps taking it.

 

[dr exum]

You really are a dedicated fish keeper. All those tanks and different fish that you keep is awesome. IMO the breeding thing isn't all it's chocked up to be. My pair get so territorial that they keep all the other bass on the other side of the tank when their in spawn mode, witch happens twice a month... ugg. I don't raise the fry and the fish eat the eggs after 2 days. Most go over the overflow.

thanks man! so many fish so little time!

i figure if i get a pair depending on their size and which variety i could segregate them to a 280g or 150g wide -

fogo fry for sure or broko fry for sure too -

sadly the mono’s are the only pair looking fish that are of the same species....

 

[dr exum]

these guys came in super nice and sized accurate!

thanks fugupuff !

 

[MatteoTheEnder22]

these guys came in super nice and sized accurate!

thanks fugupuff !

View attachment 1433843

View attachment 1433844

Beautiful cichla, by any chance they are cichla fogo that Wes brought in recently?

 

[dr exum]

Beautiful cichla, by any chance they are cichla fogo that Wes brought in recently?

yes -

ate two little shrimp pieces and one tilapia cube ?

 

[dr exum]

couple more pics.... ate one krill and two tilapia cubes - ?

nervous night a little with going to bed, secured lids and made sure all tank egress was closed.... would be a lot painful to find one on floor...

checked water - seems ph little low at 6.5 -
nitrates 5-10ppm

temp - 79 - the two 200w heaters may not be enough.... got a 3rd i can add...

gonna take power head from other tank -

 

[Tony A.]

Wow..super looking little guys, hope you have a pair . ?????
Your going to keep the updates coming with lots of pics?

 

[dr exum]

fogo - still going strong!

eating all the tilapia and shrimp offered -

watching bio levels as to not overwhelm my whimpy filtration

little feuding.... hopefully not a sign of the same gender.... have not got a vent look -

filtration seems to be little lacking for longer term grow out -

running 4 - 55g sponge filters via two fluval q1’s and now 3 - emp 400’s -

2 more canisters coming...

checking water quality daily, and doing water changes every two days.....