Texas Cichlid Help??!!

[ChrisH]

Hi All,
I have recently received a small 2" Texas Cichlid from a friend of mine. He was having trouble with bigger fish picking on it in his tank, so I took it. I have it with a small juvy. Black Convict. They are both in an Oceanic 85g Hex tank with a few fake plants, and some rocks. I would like to get some other tank mates for these 2, and was wondering what I could SAFELY put with them? Maybe 2 or 3 more tankmates. I realize that the Texas will get quite large, so I don't want to crowd him any. Any suggestions for tankmates for these 2 would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks for your help.

Chris

[DarthV]

A 85gal hex tank probably only translates into a 55gal or smaller rectangular tank for swimming room, so I don't think I'd put ANY other fish in there. The texas might outgrow the tank on its own. I'm having premonitions of a short life for the convict.

[ScottoMacD]

Hello.

You could pick yourself up a few dithers/targets. Dithers now when the texas is young targets later when he grows up.

3 barbs like golden, ruby, arulius or spanner. Would work nicely. Tough and fast, Or even a few rainbows. They all tend to be mid to top tank swimmers but will be bold enough to head down low every now and then.
As an advantage it will also make your tank look fuller with more fish on the top levels. The convict and texas will spend most of their time down low.

Cichlid wise I have to agree with Darth. Not much else will go there without forseeing some future problems. The other advantage to the aformentioned fish is that they will help the convict out when the texas starts to assurt his dominance.

I would add a few safe spots though smaller caves etc. You know the convict sized ones. The convict will soon apperciate them

[Tightdog1]

yea hex tanks are not very good for large cichlids, but u could get giant danios also for tagets or rainbows, but rainbows could get expensive.

[knuckles]

texas cichlid might kill the convict. it WILL outgrow the tank.

[Cylon]

Yes or the other way around.
My Tx Cichlid is always at it tooth and nail with the convict.
THe black convict grew quicker. Now the TX is about 2 inches bigger and some weeks he gets the uper hand and the convict doent eat do to being pinned down. This week the black got very agressive and the TX is beaten.
I think I have a femal TX she is growing very slow. Think of putting the convict in a differant take till the TX get some size. Don't pair up your cons they get to agressive.
This is a larg Black convict and the most agressive one I have ever owned.
3 fish in this 95
Green teror, TX and a Convict