View Full Version : Need help with fish selection
jdheff1982
08-25-2003, 2:45 PM
I am gonna start fresh and want to know what combo of fish will work in my 37 gal tall. Definately I want a breeding pair of cichlids and catfish. The tank will be based around the cichlids. Any ideas will be very useful! Thanks!!
dave76
08-25-2003, 2:58 PM
I guess that depends on how easily you want them to breed? I saw you post in another thread about Firemouths, I know that they are diffucult to breed and I have tried and failed. Breeding cichlids are going to be extremely agressive and catfish are known egg eaters so I dont know that having a cat in with breeding cichlids is a great idea that is unless you are talking about a pleco or give the cichlids a cave the catfish cant get into. If you want to get it right the first time I would suggest convicts, more of a challenge firemouths or blue acaras. If you want more than a pair I would suggest apistogrammas or bolivian rams or any other dwarf cichlids, the cockatoos are extremley attractive imho.
jdheff1982
08-25-2003, 3:07 PM
I would love to have a piar of cockatoo apistos, but as far as I know, I can't get them locally here. There is one place here that I am gonna inquire about today. If they can get me the cockatoos, I am buying!! Do you think a pair will suffice??? Are they good community fish??? Thanks Dave!
dave76
08-25-2003, 3:11 PM
They are better than convicts thats for sure.....:P You could make the short drive to the much better state to the south of ya :P. Keep in mind that just about all cichlids with the exception of blue rams and angels are good parents and will defend thier fry. So make sure you choose tankmates that are fast and or durable. What were you considering?
jdheff1982
08-25-2003, 3:15 PM
I don't know yet. I want firemouths, then I changed my mind and want apistos, then changed to convicts, then to julies. I just need a BIG FREAKIN' tank!! :) I'll get a big 100 gal here in about a year or two!! Then maybe a jag, or other LARGE cihlid!! Thanks for the help!
dave76
08-25-2003, 3:29 PM
I agree that a big tank is the way to go, I have a 100 Gallon and a 55 gallon, http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15141 here are pictures of my fish.......
the firemouths arent in 100 gallon......
I dont think you could keep Jag with anyting except for in a 200+ gallon tank, and even then if its a male you can still forget about it.
jdheff1982
08-25-2003, 4:20 PM
I visited another LFS today and told me that they would have to charge me $50 for a 1/2" apisto. They told me they ave to order like 200 of these "odd balls" and jack the price WAY up. Do you know the name of that website that sells the apistos, julies, and other oddball fish? Thanks!!
You can try www.liveaquaria.com
jdheff1982
08-25-2003, 8:28 PM
Well, I tried LiveAqua's site and absolutely love their selection of fish!! I have decided to get a Port Acara and a Tiger pleco. I think I'll have room for more fish, but I want to start off with these two. Anybody had any problems with these people??? I won't order the fish until after labor day. BTW, anybody else have a Port Acara??? How are they? Are they shy? Are they sociable fish? Thanks! Like to hear more about these guys!! Thanks!!