Why do you keep New World Cichlids over Old World Cichlids?

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dirtyblacksocks

dirtyblacksocks

Fire Eel
MFK Member
Jan 25, 2008
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Personally they're where I started - South American's always had an appeal to me due to the ability to stock them without casualties in community environments.

As age and money have come I've moved into CA's thanks to having access to even larger tanks.

I've kept African's in the past - the only ones that really gave me interest were Tan***ikan's, but they grow so slowly that I soon lost interest.

I would not mind a tropheus tank - but really find african's to be somewhat lacking in personality by comparison to Central and South American's.

How about everyone else? Or do you keep both?
 
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New Worlds all the way.

You've got all the things that Old Worlds have, plus more. Got the same colors, same sizes, almost all the same breeding methods, PLUS you've got their outstanding personalities.

Besides, SA/CA Cichlids command more 'respect' when you see them in a tank than African cichlids do. African cichlids are more like oooo's and aahhhs, while SA/CA cichlids are more like wow and amazing! :)

Besides, you've got the Crenicichlas....need I say more?! :D
 
Size, attitude, personality. Honestly, most Africans look the same to me - ooh goody they've discovered another 5" blueish fish with vertical striping *yawn*

Eric "who started his cichlid adventures with mbuna in a 38G" L.
 
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WakinAZ;2164601; said:
Size, attitude, personality. Honestly, most Africans look the same to me - ooh goody they've discovered another 5" blueish fish with vertical striping *yawn*

Eric "who started his cichlid adventures with mbuna in a 38G" L.
Click to expand...

I agree. My disinterest in Africans is due to a lack in variety. It just seems like the differences in SA/CA cichlids is so much more noticeable. New World cichlids are a very diverse group of fish ranging from pikes to discus to guapotes.
 
i kept old worlds only for a number of years. also switched to new worlds and then back to old worlds again. today i have continued my efforts of keeping new worlds. the aggression of old compared to new world are misunderstood. size is a benefit in any scenario. with old world you have a different fundamental breeding habits of more like salt water fishes as compared to most new worlds. however the same basic defense of fry is the same. either if a species has bi parental or mono parental instincts. i personally like the overall power differences in new compared to old world species.
 
To me it's not so much a new world/african thing, but more a dislike for advanced mouthbrooding. To me the essence of cichlid is watching a pair of fish that normally don't like each other come together to defend their eggs and young against other fish.

You don't get this in advanced mouthbrooders, which cover all the malawi's and a good chunk of the tangs as well. There is only one group of new worlds I know of that are advanced mouthbrooders, the red hump 'geophagus' steindachneri group which don't particularly intrest me either. But the pairing tangs, westies, and even indian cichlids do just as much as south or central americans.

Intermediate or delayed mouthbrooding still has the pair bonding, so they still interest me.
 
would love to keep old world chiclids
would kill to get a polleni, emperor chiclid, butti and many more, but availability is a great issue here
but if i get an opportunity i would keep all
 
What sort of fish are commonly available in India? Is the main interest still in cichlids or does it venture out towards what we would consider more oddball out here in the states?
 
i like the personalities on new worlds, dont get me wrong i would love a community of fronts but i just perfer newworlds
 
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