What cichlids would you guys consider to be XXL cichlids?

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There is a long list of fish that commonly get 12-14" with large outliers reaching 16".
That's why I'd put the "XXL" minimum for in the 18-20" range.

If you accept one of the species with the potential to reach 16", you have to accept all of them. Which waters down "XXL". The longer you make the exclusive list the less exclusive it is.
 
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Toby_H said:
There is a long list of fish that commonly get 12-14" with large outliers reaching 16".
That's why I'd put the "XXL" minimum for in the 18-20" range.

If you accept one of the species with the potential to reach 16", you have to accept all of them. Which waters down "XXL". The longer you make the exclusive list the less exclusive it is.
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I'm curious what are some cichlids that you consider to be XL?
 
Funny, I now don´t consider the size of cichlids to be important as an aspect, except..... when the size of tank comes into play, meaning....
and the reality is... most aquarists trying to keeplng large cichlids.... really shouldn´t.
Most aquarists don´t have enough space for 1 oscar, much less a pair of dovii, Cichla or umbis.
I have kept pairs of haitiensus, petenia, Cichla , even dovii , but each only a pair per tank, and the longer I keep cichlids,
the more I realize I wasn´t doing them any favors.
1767531902852.png1767531839320.png1767531975068.png
The longer I keep cichlids, and its been going on almost 70 years now, the more I realize, size doesn´t make them better.
IMG_3846.jpeg
The pic above, was taken of my tank, about 40 years ago.
 
Y
duanes said:
Funny, I now don´t consider the size of cichlids to be important as an aspect, except..... when the size of tank comes into play, meaning....
and the reality is... most aquarists trying to keeplng large cichlids.... really shouldn´t.
Most aquarists don´t have enough space for 1 oscar, much less a pair of dovii, Cichla or umbis.
I have kept pairs of haitiensus, petenia, Cichla , even dovii , but each only a pair per tank, and the longer I keep cichlids,
the more I realize I wasn´t doing them any favors.
View attachment 1571170View attachment 1571169View attachment 1571171
The longer I keep cichlids, and its been going on almost 70 years now, the more I realize, size doesn´t make them better.
View attachment 1571172
The pic above, was taken of my tank, about 40 years ago.
Click to expand...
Yeah, nowadays I'm just keeping a pair of betta and shrimps in a 30 gallons tank. Life is easier.
 
Pyluper said:
I'm curious what are some cichlids that you consider to be XL?
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This becomes a matter of opinion as to where we draw the lines between categories.

Personally, I'd make categories such as:
XXL: 18"+
XL" 12-18"
L: 8-12"
M: 5-8"
S: <5"
These would be typical adult male sizes. I wouldn't re-categorize an entire species because of rare outliers.

There's a pretty long list of species whose males commonly surpass the 12" mark.
Nearly all of the Amphilophus species. Nearly all of the Parachromis species. Nearly all of the Vieja species. Plus Mayan Cichlids & Cuban Cichlids. Oscars. There are some Pikes that reach those lengths though have smaller overall mass so it's arguable if they'd qualify.
I'm sure there are many others I'm missing.
And of course, this is only referencing SA & CA Cichlids.

Though the number of species whose males commonly exceed 18-20" is a much, much smaller list.
 
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Toby_H said:
This becomes a matter of opinion as to where we draw the lines between categories.

Personally, I'd make categories such as:
XXL: 18"+
XL" 12-18"
L: 8-12"
M: 5-8"
S: <5"
These would be typical adult male sizes. I wouldn't re-categorize an entire species because of rare outliers.

There's a pretty long list of species whose males commonly surpass the 12" mark.
Nearly all of the Amphilophus species. Nearly all of the Parachromis species. Nearly all of the Vieja species. Plus Mayan Cichlids & Cuban Cichlids. Oscars. There are some Pikes that reach those lengths though have smaller overall mass so it's arguable if they'd qualify.
I'm sure there are many others I'm missing.
And of course, this is only referencing SA & CA Cichlids.

Though the number of species whose males commonly exceed 18-20" is a much, much smaller list.
Click to expand...
Have to agree on pikes. Saw one at my lfs the other day. I didn't look at the name but it was a greyish color with red dots. Beautiful and probably 16-18 inches if I had to guess and thick. But it looked pissed! Lol
 
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