Thinking of getting into Cichla. Couple questions.

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4wheelvfr

Candiru
MFK Member
Jan 12, 2008
372
12
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Southern Illinois
I've been wanting to do Cichla for quite some time but only recently do I have the tank space available. I've got a 1000g tank (8x4x4, close to 1k anyways I think) with a very diverse collection of fish. Currently residing are:

2 Amphilophus lyonsi
2 Oscars
2 Paratheraps bifasciatum
3 convicts
1true parrot cichlid
1 Amphilophus saggitae
4 Longear Sunfish
1 Green Sunfish
5 Striped Shiners
2 yellow bullhead cats
1 asian sun cat

I'm just wondering if there is enough room for any Cichla and how they will fare with the stocklist I have if there is space? All the fish in the tank (including the shiners) are about 6-10" in length right now and there is very little aggression. Even with my varied stock list everyone seems to get along. Some bickering from time to time but nothing more than a little chase here and there. The bifa's and convicts have bred a half a dozen times in there and didn't upset the tank a bit.
Also, I keep the temp at 80-81 and was hoping this would be warm enough for Cichla. With the natives in there I really don't want to go over 82. Everyone seems comfy as is. I'm not too worried about oxygen in the tank as my return pump runs wide open and is rated at 2800 gph. My returns make good waterfalls and there is good movement throughout the whole tank.
Anyway, I'd like to get some opinions from you guys before I do anything and appreciate any and all help.
 
Once you get a handful of cichla your going to want to ditch the rest of your fish. Just as a warning, keeping cichla is very addicting. When cichla get big, they'll weed out the small fish that you have in your tank ;)

You can probably get away with 82 degree when they are larger but when cichla are in the 1-5" range they should be in a tank 85-87, I prefer 87. Keep in mind that cichla grow up to 2+" a month with good water and the right diet so if you do decide to raise the temperature, you can drop it back down in a few months or so. A 1000 gallon tank is a good one.. you will have some really colorful and happy fish. Keep in mind the water busting explosions during feeding time. Any current tank shots?
 
bOOsteN aUdI said:
Once you get a handful of cichla your going to want to ditch the rest of your fish. Just as a warning, keeping cichla is very addicting. When cichla get big, they'll weed out the small fish that you have in your tank ;)
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X2
 
rwellbaum said:
i think you could put some in your tank they are a cool fish!

what part of southern Illinois are you from?
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I'm from the Herrin/Marion area.

Joey822 said:
boosten i agrre but can we some pics of the 1000
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I'll work on getting a couple pics of the tank up. I've still got some rockwork to add and I just found an awesome piece of driftwood for the tank that may or may not fit.
 
I hate that feeling I got this great peice and I didn't fit in the opening on the top. So had to sell it.

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Warning! Buy one cichla and you will never stop! I bought my first cichla quite by accident. Let's say a $100 dollar credit, a ocellaris peacock bass and the store about to close are a bad combination. Anyway I had no idea how big they got, so I made a call to my LFS. Now I went out and bought a tank just for pbass and I'm getting addicted. They are just great fish. Anyone who keeps themwill become addicted in time. Took me 2 weeks.
 
About your tankmates, they are all on the dinner menu in 2 more years.
 
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