Want a Big Cichlid for a 55 planted.

[LBathory]

I am currently in the process of starting a 55 gallon planted. I am going to have a variety of tetra schools, a school of yoyo loaches as well as some plecos and goramis. What I am looking for is a big (6-8") colorful cichlid that I can have as a sort of "center piece" fish. The problem is I can think of very few colorful cichlids that would be non aggressive twords my tetras and smaller fish. I have considered maybe a severum or a jack dempsey. Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[Camshaft Ramrod]

no on the jack
maybe on the sev

 

[Mike fail]

maye an eartheater of some kind.

 

[Camshaft Ramrod]

How about a big angel. Or maybe a pair.

 

[Pyramid_Party]

No cichlid for this tank with the fish you want with it. They will be bullied/killed/eaten. The plecos might be fine. Small cichlids that are fine with plants are Jewels, Acaras, kribs etc

 

[danny2875]

yup he is right. no on the dempsey. he will eat all of those guys. severums are ok. best bet like he said angels. why dont you skip out on the lil guys and have a big cichlid as a show piece by himself.

 

[LBathory]

I don't really like angels, I was thinking maybe a few discus, but I dont think I could keep them alive. Wouldn't an earth eater destroy my plants?

 

[LBathory]

yup he is right. no on the dempsey. he will eat all of those guys. severums are ok. best bet like he said angels. why dont you skip out on the lil guys and have a big cichlid as a show piece by himself.

Well, I've already got my monster tank that has bigger fish, (arowana, big royal pleco, humerosa ray) and I wanted some small stuff for this one. I think I'm gonna go with the sev. Any specific type?

 

[Dkarc]

I don't really like angels, I was thinking maybe a few discus, but I dont think I could keep them alive. Wouldn't an earth eater destroy my plants?

What makes you think you cant keep discus alive?? They are very hardy and not that hard to keep. Just keep the temp warm (82+) and the water clean through frequent water changes (dependent upon size/number of discus kept in the tank).

-Ryan

 

[Camshaft Ramrod]

watch out with plecos. they can damage the plants. And the eartheaters can uproot plants sometimes if they get carried away. Discus do look nice in a planted. They are a little high maintenance though. Sometime you can find some that are bread in your local area. those do better. Here in orlando there are a lot of discus floating around that are hearty as hell. They've been bread in our high ph/dirty excuse for water.