New Tank: New Fish

[Sting]

Hey guys, I am thinking out a new cichlid tank. When I first entered into the hobby last year, I couldn't understand why anyone would want to keep these kinds of fish! But now I am entralled in their interesting behavior and lovely colors.

I am thinking of buying a new 29 Gallon tank, which is the largest I can fit in my house at the moment. I've been doing research all day and have come up with a couple of alternatives for sticking options. The one I would like to follow through with most would be the:
1 Firemouth Cichlid
Pair of Convicts
Possibly 3 Johanni's (2F/1M)or a Spiny or Peacock to add some character and color.

Now, the Johannis or the Eel isn't necessary, what I'm basically looking for is wild color and interesting behavior, but a mix of fish that work. I LOVE Firemouths, and I most definitely want to get one or even a pair in any stocking option I choose to go with, so if you would like to make some suggestions, and maybe this choice isn't really the best option, please go ahead, and help me out. Cichlids are new to me (besides Angels) So I need as much help as I can get!

Other options would be:
3 Johannis (2F/1M)
Pair of Convicts or a Pair of Firemouths

I am open to any suggestions! I am looking for color, personaloty, character, perhaps interesting breeding behavior~ Keep that in mind!

The tank set up would be SeaChem Onyx substrate, and a bunch and bunch of rocks stacked up on eachother, shells, and no plants- fake or real.

Thanks guys!

PS: My only other option would be to go smaller to a 20 Long- if that helps :)

[predatorcichlid]

Well I can tell you this much. If you get a breeding pair of convict in a 29 gal. tank they will be the only fish in that tank. Breeding cichlids get nasty and convict are no exception. They will kill anything else in a tank that size. Firemouths are peaceful cichlids for the most part and would not so well with a male convict. Convicts are small but can be very aggressive for there size. If the other fish you mentioned are african cichlids then they will not work with american cichlids. Africans have a very different dietary needs as well as water requirments. Africans also behave very differently then american cichlids do. With out going into detail american cichlids usually end up ripping the face or jaws off the africans in a terratorial despute when housed together. Good tankmates for firemouths are rainbow cichlids, rose breasted cichlids, intermedium cichlids, and blue eyed cichlids.

[Sting]

Well honestly, I'd rather have the Firemouth's than the convicts. Do Firemouths breed a lot? So if I'd go with Firemouths, then maybe the Johannies, and then some smaller dwarf cichlids? What are these rainbows you are talking about? Are they suitable for a 30 G tank? Thanks for the heads up!

[predatorcichlid]

Firemouths breed easily and on a regular basis. The rainbow cichlid, Herotilapia Multispinosa is a peaceful centeral american cichlid. Some reports indicate they get as large as 8 inches, but 6 inches is more the norm. They do well other peaceful small to medium CA cichlids. I doubt you will be able to house a breeding pair of firemouth with a rainbow in that size tank. Most cichlids even peaceful ones can become aggressive when spawing.

[dbcb314]

i wouldnt mix africans and americans. different water conditions and different temprement in my opinion. if your goin to breed anything, dont have anymore cichlids with them. maybe some ditherss, but no cichlids. constant fighting will occur

[Cloud-9]

Keep it a single-species tank if you want to breed.

I got rid of the one convict in my collection very quickly. That was years ago, and I have never had the desire to own one again. You can have one male and a female in your tank. I'm sure you can probably do well with that.

I share your love of firemouths. Nothing like a beautiful male specimen in perfect health. You can try and put a male and a female together, along with some dither fish. Put about three males in the tank, and no females if you want maximum looks.

You have a lot of options if you go with Africans. Take into consideration the chemical properties of your tap water. That will determine how hard or easy it would be to keep cichlids. Some cichlids cannot tolerate very hard, alkaline waters. Some cannot tolerate soft, acidic waters. If you want the fish to show their best colors, then you have to have them in perfect health. In order to do that, you need to give them the ideal water conditions. That is more important than any color enhancing foods you can give them. You also want to avoid fighting.

[Sting]

(Thanks for the replies, any more firemouth information will be appreciated)

If I go with a species tank- how many Firemouth pairs could I keep? Maybe 2 pairs, for a total of 4 Firemouths? Or should I buy 3 Male Firemouths like suggested? Would that cause problems? How would a tire track eel or a Peacock Eel do with Firemouths? Is that a bad idea?

[Sting]

Also- what kind of algea control would be necessary in this tank? Would a Bristlenose be sufficent, or even hold it's own against the Firemouth's? I try to keep away from pleco's because of the size issues...

[paradigmcubed]

Aquariacentral.com says that Firemouths should have a 35 gallon minimum. So a pair is probably pusing it and I doubt you can have four, thats probably way too much, though I may be wrong.

[Cloud-9]

A 29 gallon is sufficient for two Firemouths. Space won't be an issue unless you end up with two fish who hate each other. In that case, even a 55 gallon won't be enough. It's true that the bigger the tank, the better. However, people sometimes exaggerate the size tank required to maintain a given species.

It's easy to determine the sex of Firemouths. They are not fussy breeders. I have known other Firemouth enthusiasts to simply pick a male and a female, grow them in a 15 to 20 gallon tank, and then watch them breed on their own. Not hard at all.

I can't answer your question about the eel since I have never owned one. I see them in stores occasionally but the temptation has never been enough to get one. They will probably do quite well in the same tank as the Firemouths. They might get chased around a little bit during breeding time. How do the eels eat? Your eel might not be able to compete for food if it has to depend on food making it to the bottom of the tank.