Which one to get?

[Jamesy]

Tomorrow I'm heading into a LFS and I'm aiming to try and buy a small, Cichlid pair. My choices are a pair of cockatoo cichlids, Pair of Blue rams or pair of firemouths. Any suggestions on which I should get?

The tank is a 70g and my stock is:

2 Angels
14 Red and black phantom Tetras (It's 14 all in total between the 2 species)
4 Clown loaches

The tank is only a few months old and I plan to either get rid of the loaches and get corys or If I decide to keep the clowns then I'll build up to about 5-6 clowns. My other future stock is getting a pleco and 4-5 discus and getting rid of the angels.

I'm also basing this a bit on personality. I'd like to see something interesting in the tank.

This would also be in a planted tank.

 

[fug202]

I'm assuming that cockatoo cichlids are Apistogramma cacatuoides? If so, both these and the rams would benefit from a well planted tank with soft, acidic water. They may have trouble dealing with the angels (depends on the angels' sizes and how assertive they are). I'm preferential to firemouths, and they should be fine with your current stocking (or even better minus the angels if aggression is a problem). If you want a more peaceful cichlid pair, consider rainbow cichlids (Archocentrus multispinosa) if they're available.

 

[slayer5590]

i would go with the cockatoos or the rams for that set-up.

 

[duanes]

If you are planning on getting discus, then the Apistogramma and rams would be best.
Common plecos are said to injure discus at night (known to attach to their side and graze), a small bristlenose pleco might be fine.
A firemouth prefers different water conditions than the S Americans above, and may be too aggressive for that set up.
A pair of full size adult firemouths alone would fill a 70 gal.

 

[rocky2]

+1

 

[ryansmith83]

I wouldn't do firemouths with angelfish or discus.

Rams make good discus tankmates because they enjoy the same warm water.

Plecos will indeed eat the slime coat off your discus as duanes mentioned. I have used dwarf bristlenose plecos in the past and they've been okay as long as they're well-fed.

 

[Jamesy]

Alright guys, So no Firemouths, Thanks, I think I'll go with the cockatoos. Anyone have any experience keeping them? I read that they don't go well with tetras?

 

[duanes]

For some great info on cockatoos, rams, or any of the dwarf cichlids you may want to check out Apistogramma.com.