ONE Cichlid for 55 Gallon?

[SftWrmRain]

Hi. I have never kept cichlids before, and have been reading up in this forum to learn from all you experienced keepers. My question is, would it be a bad idea to keep only ONE fish in a 55 gallon tank? I'd like an African Cichlid that requires a higher pH - 8.0 would be best as my water is naturally hard.

If it wouldn't be a bad idea (loneliness issues, etc), which fish would you recommend? I would love something of decent size obviously, and colorful. I'm willing to create my tank to accommodate this fish's natural habitat as much as possible.

Thanks for your ideas, in advance!

[jm1212]

are you sure you want an african cichlid?
Jack Dempsys, Severum, Texas, and Salvini will all be fine by themselves (and some dithers)

[Nolapete]

If you want a single african cichlid, there's nothing more majestic than a zaire blue frontosa male.

Another choice would be one of the Haplochromis sp.

If I was to choose a single CA/SA cichlid to keep, it would be a female wild caught Amphilophus festae. It's the bright red one in my avatar.

[SftWrmRain]

are you sure you want an african cichlid?
Jack Dempsys, Severum, Texas, and Salvini will all be fine by themselves (and some dithers)

I'm not positive I want an African, but from the pictures I've seen, I am most attracted to them. If I am shown a particularly beautiful fish of any kind that fits within what I feel I can provide for him/her, I am not ruling out the possibility of anything totally.

Thank you for your suggestions. I'll look into each of them and see which one or if any appeal to me.

[SftWrmRain]

If you want a single african cichlid, there's nothing more majestic than a zaire blue frontosa male.

Another choice would be one of the Haplochromis sp.

If I was to choose a single CA/SA cichlid to keep, it would be a female wild caught Amphilophus festae. It's the bright red one in my avatar.

Thank you for your ideas! I'll look into them! I assume if I get one to start, that adding others down the line wouldn't be advisable?

[jpappy789]

May I ask why you only want one? The fish suggested are fine but I'm just curious...

[Nolapete]

You could put a trio of frontosas in a 55, 1M 2F. You could do the same thing with the Haplochromis.

55 is the bare minimum for a female festae and NOTHING would survive with her. You CAN NOT put a male in with her in a 55. The pair in my avatar spent time in my 110 and were in my 90 awaiting their 500 gallon pool when hurricane Katrina hit here and murdered them.

[SftWrmRain]

May I ask why you only want one? The fish suggested are fine but I'm just curious...

I don't have a really great reason, other than at times wanting a sort of "specialty" fish - a really neat, beautiful, exceptional fish that may be aggressive. I've always had community tanks where some of the more exciting fish wouldn't make a good community member. I know I could keep 10 or so cichlids in a 55, but I'm also loving the *idea* of not having a ton of tank maintenance (waste) to clean up every few days.

Again, I'm not set, and my mind can be turned. Sell me on why I should have a tank full! :)

[SftWrmRain]

You could put a trio of frontosas in a 55, 1M 2F. You could do the same thing with the Haplochromis.

55 is the bare minimum for a female festae and NOTHING would survive with her. You CAN NOT put a male in with her in a 55. The pair in my avatar spent time in my 110 and were in my 90 awaiting their 500 gallon pool when hurricane Katrina hit here and murdered them.

I'm really LOVING the way the frontosas look. I think 3 would be beautiful together in a 55. Do the males and females look alike, or are there differences in color or other obvious characteristics? Researching a little now. :)

Still open for other suggestions!

[Nolapete]

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/frontosa_sexing.php

They generally look the same, but the males tend to be larger.

[Nolapete]

Aquabid has a lot of frontosas for sale. Look under Cichlids, Tanganyikan and search for frontosa.

[MySpace Mike]

I would go with a pair of fisg in a 55 gallon tank. The tank is good size to hold more than 1 fish. Id go with something like a pair of jack dempseys, or pair of texas cichlids, or pair of green terror cichlids, or 3-4 firemouths in it. Firemouths are easy to maintain, and are a simple solution to new commers to the cichlid community. My FireMouths are generally displayfull, they tend to show theyre colors quite well, and are trained that when i barely tap on the glass they know its feeding time.

So i would recommend a pair of fish at the least.

[Visualeyes2]

if i were going to do just one fish in a 55 it would not be an african. yes africans are awesome and some of my favorites BUT oscars rule. they have arguably more personality than any pet fish, you can buy them small and watch them grow to a span of 10-12 inches, and they are gorgeous. the beauty of keeping african cichlids lies largely in enjoying the variety of colors a number of them in one tank offer the aquarist. additionally, the interaction between a number of africans in a tank is a sight to behold as is the spectacle that can be viewed as a number of them feed at one time. with all due respect to your idea of having one african in a 55, i simply don't think you'll be happy with it in the long run. i equate it to buying a 7 bedroom 4 bath house to raise an only child in. if i want less tank maintenance and one african, i'm putting it in a 10 gallon tank, not a 55. i may have less bio load in the 55 and therefore less frequency of water changes needed, but it is going to have to be cleaned eventually........ all of it. and like the 7 bedroom house with 4 baths, i'm going to get pretty darn tired in the long run cleaning that whole space when i could be in something 1/4 the size. ok, i have way too much time on my hands. this post is way too long, but you more than get my point by now. i just don't want you to be unhappy in the long run.

[jpappy789]

Personally, I think the frontosa idea is great.

[Slappy*McFish]

...or a smaller pike cichlid.

[sirasoni]

I wouldn't do a front trio in a 55 for life. Males can and do reach 14" and the females can still get over 10"...and fronts are a pretty deep-bodied fish as well. I'd personally get a wet pet like a RD/midas or a nice hq fh.

[Nolapete]

That's silly. RD/Midas get bigger than fronts do.

[MbunaFishKeeper]

if i were going to do just one fish in a 55 it would not be an african. yes africans are awesome and some of my favorites BUT oscars rule.

55g is way to small for an oscar tho...

[jpappy789]

55 is very minimal for an oscar. Very little swimming room.

[pugwash]

What about a nice male EBJD? Not much can rival them visually from the CA world.

http://www.tropicalresources.net/phpBB2/templates/BMan1Blue/images/profile_pics/fish_profiles_octofaciatus_blue3.jpg

[SftWrmRain]

Here's what I'm thinking right now, after a lot of research yesterday and still this morning. Frontosas are beautiful, and I was leaning that direction until I discovered that a 55 would really be on the small side for him to feel truly comfortable, once rock placement and other decor was added.

Green Terrors - are they really GREEN? I have seen many pictures and most depict them as somewhat muted, pale, and even white looking. If I'm going to stock with only one (type) of fish, I really want it to be striking. Same with the firemouth - are they mostly grey with a little orange at the bottom?

Visualeyes - I appreciate your point of view and I am tending at this point to agree with you. I do believe I'll be adding at least a pair, if not more. At the same time, everything I've read says Oscars are grow too large for a 55.

I looked at the pikes, and didn't find them to be the style of fish I think I want. They are thin and sort of colorless, when I want big, flashy, and full of color.

I am currently looking into two similar but different types of fish:

pseudotropheus saulosi, and pseudotropheus lombardoi (kenyi).

If anyone has opinions on either of these fish, or personal experience, please share and keep the opinions coming!

P.S. I meant to add that I love the way the EBJD looks. I'm looking into this fish too right now. Do you all find that the color is pretty uniform throughout the community, or does it vary depending on breeder? What about once in the tank? Does it fade over time for you all, or get brighter?

[pugwash]

I meant to add that I love the way the EBJD looks. I'm looking into this fish too right now. Do you all find that the color is pretty uniform throughout the community, or does it vary depending on breeder? What about once in the tank? Does it fade over time for you all, or get brighter?

Have a look at this thread - has all the answers you need, plus 2 people's photo diaries of the colour morphs during maturity.
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=147746

Just please don't mix American cichlids with African one's - different diets, aggressive behaviour and water chemistry. It's either one or the other continent.

[SftWrmRain]

Have a look at this thread - has all the answers you need, plus 2 people's photo diaries of the colour morphs during maturity.
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=147746

Just please don't mix American cichlids with African one's - different diets, aggressive behaviour and water chemistry. It's either one or the other continent.

A VERY good thread to read! Thank you for sharing! I definitely won't mix American and African cichlids. I'm doing all the research before buying and even before I create the environment for the fish, so I can customize it exactly as I want it, to give the fish the best possible captive life.

Thank you for warning me though - I wish more people would be concerned for the quality of life of their fish.

[Visualeyes2]

What about a nice male EBJD? Not much can rival them visually from the CA world.

http://www.tropicalresources.net/phpBB2/templates/BMan1Blue/images/profile_pics/fish_profiles_octofaciatus_blue3.jpg

wow! nice pic! that would be a good choice! i have to apologize for suggesting to put an oscar in a 55 long term and retract that suggestion. i was wrong. mine is in a 90, and he is really happy, but a 55 would only be big enough for a shorter term. sorry about the bad advice.

[Visualeyes2]

Visualeyes - I appreciate your point of view and I am tending at this point to agree with you. I do believe I'll be adding at least a pair, if not more. At the same time, everything I've read says Oscars are grow too large for a 55.

once again, i apologize for suggesting to put an oscar in a 55 long term and retract that suggestion. that was bad advice on my part. i'm sorry. you would need at least a 75 long term. apologies.

[Visualeyes2]

I am currently looking into two similar but different types of fish:

pseudotropheus saulosi, and pseudotropheus lombardoi (kenyi).

If anyone has opinions on either of these fish, or personal experience, please share and keep the opinions coming!




i have both of those fish in my tanks! kenyii are very pretty and aggressive, as with most african cichlids their colors come out more if they are the dominant one in the tank, males have more color than females. if you put two baby kenyii in there together, it is likely that the stronger one will become male and the weaker will become female as they are all female at birth, and the dominant ones become male....thank God humans aren't this way! anyway, the saulosi are very similar to the kenyii in looks, but have stripes that are not as well defined and pronounced. if i had to pick one or the other i would go with the kenyi. also, it is likely that you will have a much easier time finding the kenyi than the saulosi. in my humble personal opinion, i would consider pairing the kenyi with something of a different color, like a red zebra (orange) or a lemon mel. they are a striking yellow with black highlights. hope this helps!

[silentskream]

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[jm1212]

are you sure you want only one?

[Sploke]

How about a pair of gold severums or the rotkeil sevs, the ones with lots of red on them. Really nice fish, and a pair would do well in a 55. You could probably even do a school of larger tetras as well, the sevs don't tend to be overly aggressive.

[Sploke]

Rotkeils -
http://www.tangledupincichlids.com/images/rotkeil7.jpg

Golds -
http://www.alloddballaquatics.com/misc/GoldSeverum.jpg

[jm1212]

how about some firemouths?

[Nolapete]

The problem is that you started off wanting one fish and have gone back and forth. Any of the fish that will make a grand display in a 55 are going to get at least 10-12 inches. You also said that you wanted something that could go with your 8.0 pH. That rules out most CA/SA cichlids as that is not a comfortable pH for them.

A 55 isn't too small for a trio of frontosas. Unless you're planning on buying a larger size trio for lots of cash, that's not even an issue. Frontosas don't grow that fast. That's why they are so expensive as larger fish. It will take close to two years or more to grow young fronts to 6"-8". They get to be 14" in the WILD, not in the aquarium.

If you want something really interesting and unique looking, go with one male and 2-5 female compressiceps. There's about 4 or 5 different color strains that I know of. Fire fins or gold heads are what I plan on getting.

http://images.google.com/images?q=altolamprologus+compressiceps&hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-US&um=1&sa=X&oi=images&ct=title

[SftWrmRain]

The problem is that you started off wanting one fish and have gone back and forth. Any of the fish that will make a grand display in a 55 are going to get at least 10-12 inches. You also said that you wanted something that could go with your 8.0 pH. That rules out most CA/SA cichlids as that is not a comfortable pH for them.

I haven't gone back and forth - I originally wanted a single grandiose fish, yes, but said I could be persuaded to go several different directions. I still haven't decided on anything, but am enjoying the different ideas. I have spent a great deal of time researching most of them, unless I simply didn't like the way the suggested fish looked.

I DO want a fish compatible with my natural pH, but don't have enough cichlid knowledge to know which those are before I look them up, when people have suggested them. I don't think I have seriously considered any fish not compatible with my pH.


A 55 isn't too small for a trio of frontosas. Unless you're planning on buying a larger size trio for lots of cash, that's not even an issue. Frontosas don't grow that fast. That's why they are so expensive as larger fish. It will take close to two years or more to grow young fronts to 6"-8". They get to be 14" in the WILD, not in the aquarium.

I appreciate this advice, however, I think the thought of 32 inches of fish (m-12in, 2 fe-10in) in my 55 sounds like too much to me, especially with lots of rock work. I do think that it could be a possibility to keep one front, though. They are magnificent fish, and have a pleasant and likable personality, from what I have read.

[SftWrmRain]

once again, i apologize for suggesting to put an oscar in a 55 long term and retract that suggestion. that was bad advice on my part. i'm sorry. you would need at least a 75 long term. apologies.

No apologies necessary!! We're all human (I think!)!! :)


in my humble personal opinion, i would consider pairing the kenyi with something of a different color, like a red zebra (orange) or a lemon mel. they are a striking yellow with black highlights. hope this helps!

So you're saying a good mix would be one kenyi with one red zebra or a lemon mel?


How about a pair of gold severums or the rotkeil sevs, the ones with lots of red on them. Really nice fish, and a pair would do well in a 55. You could probably even do a school of larger tetras as well, the sevs don't tend to be overly aggressive.

Thank you for the suggestions and the pictures! Awesome! I'll look into these guys as well.

jm1212- I don't necessarily dislike firemouths, but they don't "grab" me so much, you know? You never know though - they've been suggested a couple times, so I won't rule them out. Thanks for the suggestion!

[silentskream]

severums need a lower ph than 8.0 dont they? dont most american cichlids need softer acidic water?

[silentskream]

i could say get a really colorful african (like a demasoni african cichlid)
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=1663
you could have one male and several females.. the male would stand out more and be your main fish, but the females would be pretty too (and keep him from getting cranky) this way you could have several fish that look similar, but still one really pretty main fish to catch your eye.

also, with a set up like this, they may breed, in which case you can watch the mommy fish take care of the baby fish.. its so cute!

[jm1212]

conpresiceps like Nolapete suggested would be a great idea to have

uaru may also be a candidate, but they may want more room

[Nolapete]

Uaru like 8.0 pH?

Fronts wouldn't work with lots of rockwork anyway. They are deepwater fish and require mostly open water in a tank.

[jm1212]

most captive bred fish will readily adapt to a pH as long as its not extreme (less than 5, more than 9). plus, you can add driftwood to the tank to lower the pH; uaru are also known to nibble at driftwood every now and again.

[davidefc]

the is no way a trio of fonts in a 55, you could try and get 1 font in ther but it would be tight for life.

[Visualeyes2]

No apologies necessary!! We're all human (I think!)!! :)



So you're saying a good mix would be one kenyi with one red zebra or a lemon mel?





yes, in terms of brilliant color, i would pick those from the african cichlids.

[RedScare]

I say Electric Blue Jack Dempsy. Those fish look rad.

I think the best fish are Discus, Electric Blue Jack Dempsys, Urau, and shell dwellers.

If i could have only 1 fish in a tank it would be an Electric Blue Jack Dempsy, or maybe an Oscar, or maybe a stingray, or maybe.......

YOU CANT HAVE ONLY 1 FISH!!!!!!!

[SftWrmRain]

I say Electric Blue Jack Dempsy. Those fish look rad.

I think the best fish are Discus, Electric Blue Jack Dempsys, Urau, and shell dwellers.

If i could have only 1 fish in a tank it would be an Electric Blue Jack Dempsy, or maybe an Oscar, or maybe a stingray, or maybe.......

YOU CANT HAVE ONLY 1 FISH!!!!!!!

And the winner is..................

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the Electric Blue Jack Dempsey! I have purchased a baby EBJD and am in the process of creating the best environment possible for him. I searched for a reputable breeder, and feel confident I found a wonderful genetic line of fish.

The reality is, I ended up purchasing 5 blues because the breeder was selling them this way. Most people want a selection of babies so that 2 can possibly "choose a mate" and pair off when they spend time together.

My plan is to create lots of caves/hiding places and keep the 5 together in the 55 gallon for a few months until they reach around 3". At that time, I'll be selling 3 or 4 of the babies - depending on whether I decide to keep a pair or a single. I am 1000% committed to almost daily water changes and an appropriate, varied diet for these little guys.

Their home is being created this weekend, and they will be delivered on Wednesday. :)