take a look at these and see what you think

[demon_surfer]

Im making plans for my next big tank. I want to get a nice un-common cichlid and so I have been perusing Jeff Rapps site (he has a great alpahbetical photo gallery listed by scientific name)

anway here is what i have come up with and I would like your opinions on each of the fish, or if you have had any experience with them. I would be planning on getting a 55 or better and trying to establish a breeding pair.

archocentrus Sajica (http://www.tangledupincichlids.com/images/sajica.pair.jpg)

Nandopsis Bartoni (http://www.tangledupincichlids.com/images/bart.female.jpg)

Nandopsis Tetracanthus (http://www.tangledupincichlids.com/images/tetracan.jpg)

Parachromis Loisellei (http://www.tangledupincichlids.com/images/loisellei.male.jpg)

Viega fenestratus (http://www.tangledupincichlids.com/images/fenest.male.jpg)

thats as far as I have gotten so far. They all seem to require similar water chemistry. I really want a fish that will fill up the tank I have (which ever size I end up with) without looking cramped.

anyway please tell me what you think and any experiences!

[ChilDawg]

If you want a flat-out nasty fish, I hear the Cubans (Nandopsis tetracanthus) can't be beaten!

[demon_surfer]

It doesnt really need to be just plain vicious...just have a nice presance in the tank if you know what I mean.

[ChilDawg]

Well, I like the looks of Vieja spp., so that one would have a nice presence, IMO.

I think that the Cuban looks pretty good, but it is an acquired taste...you could probably get a rare Acara-type fish with the same look if you want something rare and similar, but w/o the aggression...

[The Dude]

The Vieja Fenestrata looks like a sweet fish...I'm putting them on my wish list...

[stoopid]

The Archocentrus Sajica gets my vote, the 2nd and 3rd are the same photo (don't like that fish much). The remaining 2 are not the color design or body type I go for. Don't know anything about these (yet). I'm checking in to check out anything that's posted... stoopid=info leech :D

[Sumpin'fishy]

I, too, would go with the Veija fenestratus. I have an 8" Veija maculicauda (Blackbelt Cichlid), and he is just plain awesome! I have him in a 55 gallon with an 8" Malawi Eyebiter and 4 Silver Dollars (talk about strange variety!). I would not suggest this mixture, but it works very well for me! Bruce (my Blackbelt) is by far the most personable. He is extremely beautiful, and not overly aggressive, as some of the larger cichlids go. Just be sure to give frequent veggies to the Veija sp.

[Rare Cichlids]

Viejas are great. The Fenestratum is a great fish, but is the killer of the Vieja genus. My male has always been peaceful with all of his tankmates, but I've never kept him a tank as small as 55g.

Cuban cichlids are very nice also. I'm wanting to get some "ssp. II" soon, but don't know where to look.

[demon_surfer]

Thanks for catching the picture mix up, I fixed it.

I am leaning towards the Archocentrus sajica at the moment, but i think the Vejia is a close second.

You guys seem to have kept them can you tell me what they are like, what sizes yours have reached and what you kept them in/with? the internet has little information on these types of rare cichlids