what is a good first cichlid

[sicxspeed]

True, Oscars would be great, then you can throw in a Jack Dempsey, Green Terror, Convict too for more color. A pleco and maybe a small catfish as well, like some sort of Pim.

Oh and toss in some dither fish for activity too. Giant Diano's, maybe a few other types too.

 

[stotty]

What I was trying to get at is if your solo tank is a 125 wouldn’t it look nice with a shoal of fish and some features rather that a bare tank with one fish? a shoal of Angles etc etc would looks better than one very large fish in a tank that is just ok for him. I have done it my self in the past but I had the luxury of a fish room so had several fish in single bare tanks. But if I had just one tank and it was a 125 it would be a planted tank with a shoal of fish in it.

Ie

http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?i.../images?q=planted+125&svnum=10&hl=en&lr=&sa=G

http://www.ratemyfishtank.com/images/thumbimg/400/1628_2.JPG

ok top stuff but somthing to Inspire you over the one fish thing. as I said one Cichlid a Jag but that’s my opinion

 

[cichlaguapote]

Stotty a group of angels would be nice. But really we need more info from the poster as to what he wants. Some people don't want planted tanks, some people think cichlids are mean/nasty and would be dissapointed with angels or discus. But good suggestions. Angels are a possibility.

 

[Sunpoe]

I like the whole Oscar idea they really are great fish and hardy to boot. They grow like weeds so they would fill up that 125 in no time.

 

[Sunpoe]

Stotty a group of angels would be nice. But really we need more info from the poster as to what he wants. Some people don't want planted tanks, some people think cichlids are mean/nasty and would be dissapointed with angels or discus. But good suggestions. Angels are a possibility.

I didn't know anyone could be disappointed with Discus

 

[SBrown]

Honestly, Discus are no where near being a beginner's fish. They are way too sensitive, way too expensive, and require way to acidic water conditions. The majority of fishkeepers would agree that they are more for the advanced hobbyist.

If anything I'd say goldfish are the ultimate beginner's fish. If you are talking about cichlids, I'd say convicts or firemouths or even a species tank full of angels. But since you are asking about a 125, you have alot of options. Just about every CA you can think of besides Umbies, Dovis, and Bay Snooks.

Personally, I think a 125 is a lil bit too impractical for just one fish, so see if you can atleast put a nice pleco and maybe a few cons in there with whatever 12+ inch brute you choose. Good luck.

Never said I was new to keeping fish, and I would rather have just a single fish or a couple rather than try to stuff it full with a bunch of fish that get to aggressive or are too large for a 125.

 

[Tongue33]

Never said I was new to keeping fish, and I would rather have just a single fish or a couple rather than try to stuff it full with a bunch of fish that get to aggressive or are too large for a 125.

Find one of those nice White Midas Males If your going single

Or a pair of Vieja VERY BEAUTIFUL

 

[stotty]

Never said I was new to keeping fish, and I would rather have just a single fish or a couple rather than try to stuff it full with a bunch of fish that get to aggressive or are too large for a 125.

What we really need to know then is, is this going to be a feature in your house? Is it your only tank? You say you are not new to fish keeping then perhaps the Discus idea isn’t so stupid move on to some thing new and a little different there is some superb info on them on here. Or did you really want that one odd ball tank? If so I love Oscars but they are bread and butter common as muck I love them in a big tank with other fish but always feels sorry for one or 2 on there own. As I said a 125 is a nice size planted community tank but sort of limits you to I large nasty fish. If you’re going to do that I would go really odd something like Frontosas like a breeding colony lots of colour again would look cool with plenty of rocks in it. At the end of the day what are you looking for out of this tank?

 

[SBrown]

not looking for a show tank and but I think a single midas or trimac would be cool, maybe try to get a breeding pair. I would try the frontosa but don't feel like breaking the bank to start a colony of them, juvies go for $40.00 in my area and they're not alot of them around.

 

[Oscarboyz]

a oscar