Transition to SA cichlids

[BigDog76]

Hey Guys,

Brand new to the forum and this is my first post...I have had a 150 gallon community tank for awhile (angels, discuss, rose line sharks). I recently lost the last of my discuss and would like to shift to a more aggressive mix of cichlids but had some compatability questions.

I have several large angles and 7 full grown (6 inch) Rose line sharks. I added a few silver dollars and juvenile salvini cichlids, a carpintas, red devil and green terror (all less than 3 inches). I am hoping that adding all of the cichlids while small and keeping a lot of good size schooling fish (tinfoil barbs, rose line sharks) will increase the chances that they will get used to being in a well stocked tank and not get overly aggressive. The tank looks great and so far all of the cichlids seem fairly docile and don't really bother anything at this point....

Just wanted to get some opinions on the strategy...I am ready for a change of species and recognize that there is risk involved, what do you guys think?

 

[balton777]

The Red Devil is on another level of aggression up from the other two. I'd recommend trading him for something else. Those Roseline sharks are nice fish, I think the cichlids, when a little bigger, will take them out one by one. Also the Angels might be in jeapordy....I don't know much about them tbh.

 

[Eclipse390]

I would remove the devil. While Angels are cichlids, they are a more delicate species. I would recommend other cichlids that are a little smaller & more docile. If that's not what you're looking for, I'd really consider re-homing your angels & schools

 

[AcsFoolMike]

The Red Devil is on another level of aggression up from the other two. I'd recommend trading him for something else. Those Roseline sharks are nice fish, I think the cichlids, when a little bigger, will take them out one by one. Also the Angels might be in jeapordy....I don't know much about them tbh.

I think the Roselines will be alright at 6" and quick, but I agree that the Red Devil could be trouble. The Salvini might match them as far as aggression, but they don't get nearly as large.

Watch your stock carefully. I know they seem docile now, but they're all still very small. As they grow, eliminate the trouble makers until you have a stock that works, and then do NOT add or take away anything.

 

[Aquanero]

Personally I'd loose the Salvini, Carpintas and Devil not SA. The GT could upset the dynamic depending on it's personallity, some are mellow some are not. The Roselines while not new world are hot looking fish. Think about adding some eartheaters a few acaras like Auqadens metae or patricki, A. latifrons or pulchar ect. even severum would work. I'm just spit ballin some ideas the combiations go on and on for a slightly more agressive SA tank. There is a real possibilty the RD will eventually take out the whole tank so I'd put that on the first to go list.

Welcome to MFK. Where in Jersey are you?

 

[BigDog76]

Thanks for the comments guys...based on the commentary I'll be taking the devil back to the fishstore. The Green Terror is already about 4-5 inches and so far pretty mellow...doesn't really react to other fish in the tank.

Forgot to mention that I have a small blue Jack Dempsey as well. Any concerns there?

I have a nice school of silver dollars, three plain silvers and two striped red hook silvers...they are a pretty good size already and I assume the body shape protects them from being food.

I will keep a close eye on things, if anything goes near those rose lines, it'll be gonzo pretty quickly.

 

[BigDog76]

So I am new to the cichlid thing clearly, I bought three small (3 in) salvini's about 3 weeks ago as part of the transition....about a week ago a couple started spending some time together in a corner of the tank and digging...tonight I came home to a school of fry swimming in my 150 community tank....

Both parents are guarding them...totally shocked! Should I separate the parents? I assume they are going to be very territorial now...

I guess salvinis must be pretty easy to breed...I've had these for like 3 weeks and they are still pretty small but they have at least 150 fry and are doing a good job parenting so far.