what is the hardest cichlid to keep in your experience?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
i've had altum angels before and they were really sensitive... in fact my mortality rate was embarrassingly high...
i can imagine a lot of the smaller south americans like apistos or west africans being very hard to keep in terms of maintaining their water quality, matching the water parameters found in their native habitats.
by comparison, i think centrals have been relatively easy to keep. there are some that are highly prone to bloat e.g. istlanums and haitiensis but i think once you get the hang of managing their diet properly it's not that hard in comparison.
my two cents.
 
Not to ride the Blue Ram train but I have never had luck with them or Apisto's. Never tried the Bolivian's because I was put off after trying Apisto's after the last GBR dies and I wasn't will to replace it. No more dwarf cichlids for me. :thumbsdow

Here is how it always went down for me.
1) Loose color, brown then black eye's.
2) Blown across the substrate with no energy to swim.
3) Swim circles and or short bursts of energy then nothing.
4) Dead. :rip

I swear once it started there was less than 48 hours and nothing I tried would help.
 
bitteraspects;3435795; said:
peacock bass = NOT a cichlid :screwy:
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it's my understanding that they are essentially prototypical cichlids. cichla are sort of the definition of a cichlid.

When I first started out I lost my favorite black lace veil tail angel out of the blue. Woke up one morning and my favorite fish was dead. Thats about it though. Never had any problems with the bolivian rams or apistos I kept. I lost some swordtails but they were used to cycle the tank. Oh and neons. They would just disappear. I assume the cichlids were eating them after they died.
 
Of my stock I struggle with my O's, not because they need special attention or anything but simply because they make such a mess!
 
fishbee;3445166; said:
anyone ever have any drama with their convicts? mine not dying but cant seem to get them to breed lol
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I have that as well! now one is sick...

Not having much luck with them....
 
I've tried Rams - always wound up someone elses supper.
It took 4 GT's before finally gettin one not too die of a disease.
I've had as many as 12 Female Red Terrors- death toll by their male counterpart 5, given away 6 - one remains.
But the hardest cichlid for me to keep was my Dovii - health was never an issue it was size and aggression. I couldn't keep up with the growth rate and wasn't willing to spend $1,000's in set-up cost just for one fish. He was given to another MFKer who had the right mindset and setup.
 
All Rams....die for no reason....
also Firemouths don't do well for me either.
 
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