55 ideas

[MontyGoose]

Totally new to cichs (outside angels) so here goes some perhaps dumb Q's :)

first off i have a 55g that i want to put firemouths in.. and i was wondering how many i could put in there.

also is it possible to mix them with convicts in a tank of this size?
if so how many of each?

and im gonna guess no but my wife is hounding me to ask... silver dollars would be torn apart right?:owned:

[Lupin]

Silver dollars and firemouths (I'd stick with a pair) will be fine with each other with the exception of spawning season on the part of the latter but convicts are going to put the tank into its worst situation yet. What's with them being eager to breed all the time.:shakehead:

[elementkid65]

no cons because of their breeding

[mostlycichlids]

If you go with silver dollars they are best kept in groups of six or more. Six silver dollars and a pair of firemouths would be a heavy stock. I would recommend a pair of firemouths and a group 6-8 rainbowfish.

[BadDogsPa]

I have a pair of 4 -5 inch Jack Dempsey in a 55,maby eventually ill need a bigger tank for them but there doing great so far.

[MontyGoose]

hmm.. my brother has got a pair of dempseys in his 200 lil punks took a bite out of him.. and made him bleed.. lol thats what he gets for sticking his fingers in there at feeding time..:grinyes:

as cool as JDs are i dont want them (too mean) and i want fish that can stay in the tank forever, and wont have to be switched.. 2 55s a 10 and a 350SW are too many tanks :nilly:

i picked up a mated pair of FM's today from a coworker, they are so funny how they sit there and just stare at the food container for hours on end :drool:

[BloodThirsty28]

I think you could add one Con but mot any more then two. Or maybe two females. But def. not a male and female in with the FM's. Yes Silver Dollars do do better in groups of six or more but I currently have three in my 120 and I think three would be better for a 55. I've seen some SD's get real big.

So...I would say two FM's three SD's and one Con. IMO. You would have to keep up on the water changes though.

[MontyGoose]

how would a bristlenose pleco fair against 2FMs and a con? or the 2FMs and 4 SDs?
ive decided ill either get a con or 4 SDs but not both..

[Lupin]

how would a bristlenose pleco fair against 2FMs and a con?
I'd never try an ancistrus with a convict but that's me. I'm paranoid with plecs being kept with most belligerent cichlids.

or the 2FMs and 4 SDs?
I prefer this one.:)

[MontyGoose]

thanks lup

and lol at your sig.. i never thought you were a girl.. for what its worth hehe

[BloodThirsty28]

I have a bristlenose in my 120 with a chocolate and a GT. Granted the GT is still young/smallish.