I've just never been a huge fan of african cichlids other than tropheus and frontosa and they are too small for large polys
What is your favorite CA/SA cichlid and why?
- Thread starter DRteugelsi
- Start date
I've just never been a huge fan of african cichlids other than tropheus and frontosa and they are too small for large polys
Haitiensus are some of my favorites, but are not good community fish as adults.
My adult pair would not accept any other fish in a 6ft tank once they hit about 6-8".
And if they "can't" kill the intruder they usually get so stressed out they succumb to disease.
They also seem to need much higher temps than most other cichlids (high 80s) are not unusual for the water they live in on their island, and since they are the only endemic child to it, being unaccepting of other cichlids is not surprising.
Since there are more than 800 species (probably closer to 1000 or more these days) that are considered "New World" cichlids, I find it very difficult to narrow down a favorite.
If you are looking for a shoaling type the genus Thorichthys and Cribroheros are interesting because a group of 6 or more living without aggression can be fascinating.
Cribroheros rostratum below.
I am also interested in Rheophillic species so the genus Tomocichla, Rheohero, and Chuco also come to mind.
Chuco micropthalmus above, Tomocichla asfraci below
Rheoheros lentiginossa below
I also very much like the cold water cichlids of Uruguay, the GYmnogeophagis, Australoheros, and cold water pikes.
Red Ceibal above, Gymnogeophagus sp Paso Pache below
None of the above, could really be housed in the same tank, as condition requirements for each are totally different except maybe the Chucos, and Tomocichla, but then again, they'd see each other as competitors and probably off each other in time.
My adult pair would not accept any other fish in a 6ft tank once they hit about 6-8".
And if they "can't" kill the intruder they usually get so stressed out they succumb to disease.
They also seem to need much higher temps than most other cichlids (high 80s) are not unusual for the water they live in on their island, and since they are the only endemic child to it, being unaccepting of other cichlids is not surprising.
Since there are more than 800 species (probably closer to 1000 or more these days) that are considered "New World" cichlids, I find it very difficult to narrow down a favorite.
If you are looking for a shoaling type the genus Thorichthys and Cribroheros are interesting because a group of 6 or more living without aggression can be fascinating.
Cribroheros rostratum below.
I am also interested in Rheophillic species so the genus Tomocichla, Rheohero, and Chuco also come to mind.
Chuco micropthalmus above, Tomocichla asfraci below
Rheoheros lentiginossa below
I also very much like the cold water cichlids of Uruguay, the GYmnogeophagis, Australoheros, and cold water pikes.
Red Ceibal above, Gymnogeophagus sp Paso Pache below
None of the above, could really be housed in the same tank, as condition requirements for each are totally different except maybe the Chucos, and Tomocichla, but then again, they'd see each other as competitors and probably off each other in time.
Wow
duanes
you went above and beyond here. I think a large group would be pretty cool. my only worry is the smaller species with the polys and possibly setting up territories in the polys main areas.
I do like the Gymnogeophagus as well.
duanes
you went above and beyond here. I think a large group would be pretty cool. my only worry is the smaller species with the polys and possibly setting up territories in the polys main areas.I do like the Gymnogeophagus as well.
One other thing about the omnivorous and vegetarian type (like Vieja or Maskaheros etc), they seem to be best kept in large single cichlid species to tank, to maintain low levels of aggression, with a large group of dithers (live bearers/tetras) to keep them from from being skittish, similar to the way they live in nature.
just in case you haven't seen them, a few videos taken in cichlid habitat
027 zps4b102ffd
Azul imovie edit
Eden2
and an caveat, the Gymnos and other Urugauans need a seasonal cool down (would drop temps into the low 60s, high 50s) which would make them unsuitable for tropical species of polys or other
warm water species.
I'd often overwinter Gymnos with koi and other pond species my unheated basement.
just in case you haven't seen them, a few videos taken in cichlid habitat
027 zps4b102ffd
Azul imovie edit
Eden2
and an caveat, the Gymnos and other Urugauans need a seasonal cool down (would drop temps into the low 60s, high 50s) which would make them unsuitable for tropical species of polys or other
warm water species.
I'd often overwinter Gymnos with koi and other pond species my unheated basement.
Wow it must be amazing to get to swim with these guys. I could only imagine how great of an experience that was.
The videos above were taken only an hour +/- south of Cancun, and maybe 100 yards off the main highway,so very accessible and safe for anyone who vacations in the area.
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[/URL]no personality they have all the personality in the world and are wonderful fish
They are like puppies in a fish tank..
I don’t think I’d have 1300 gallons of tanks in my house if I didn’t first keep an oscar (and a pair of cons) all those years ago
I couldn't agree more and they are not that aggressive either. Though i did have a 12" albino oscar that kind of stuck to himself until feeding time. I remember one time he bit me trying to grab food and drew blood. still miss the big guy.
The videos above were taken only an hour +/- south of Cancun, and maybe 100 yards off the main highway,so very accessible and safe for anyone who vacations in the area.
I'm not much of a traveler but if i ever had the opportunity to do something like this. I would take it in a heartbeat.
