cichlids

[LMOUTHBASS]

i'm considering switching to cichilds in the future i currently have a community tank - i know little about cichlids - can you mix south americans with africans - one reason i've shyed away from them in the past is because it seems that it is difficult to figure out what types you can keep together without them beating each other up? i really like the firemouth cichlids and this woul be my choice if i go with these fish - in this case i will have a 55 gal set up how many woul i be able to keep and what other types of fish coul i keep in there ??? thanks

[peifc]

No, you can't mix American with African. Water chemistry is different.

In a 55g tank, you can keep 4 or 5 5" cichlids, IMO. You can keep loaches, plecos, or dither fish with Firemouth.

[TKOS]

Well you already have cichlids, the Angels. But from what I read you can't mix the african and american cichlids due to water preference. The Africans like their water with a higher pH and quite hard. Of course I am sure a more seasoned cichlid keeper will have more info than that.

[LMOUTHBASS]

i do have angel fish now but this tank if i go with cichlids will be a cichlid only tank - angels are cichlids but they are pretty peacful IME - can you mix them with other cichlids??? again any more info you can offer as far as cichlid compatabilty is appreciated - my main cichlid preferance would be to get some firemouths and whatever can live with them

[peifc]

If you do plan to keep angels but wanna add more cichlids, you have to find peaceful cichlids for the angels. Firemouth will end up nipping your angels.

[demon_surfer]

there are many many cichlids that can fit comfortably in a 55 gallon.

the Thoryicthys (firemouth and cousins)
and the Archocentrus (convicts and cousins) are two genus that have many that could live comfortably in a 55. several infact.

the Geophagus and gymnogeophagus also have fish that would do well.

or if you would like a single large specimen look at the jack dempsey, green terror or oscars. They are common and can be very beautiful and owner responsive fish.

catfish or fast tough schoolers do well with these cichlids. maybe some giant danios or brilliant rasbora. or a pimelodus catfish of somekind.

if you can come up with some more specific's of what you want I could give you better suggestions.

I am currently planning a 55gallon tank for a group of Gymnogeophagus Balzanii and a yet to be determined catfish.

[LMOUTHBASS]

been very helpful thanks - i'm thinking about cichlids that can have a variety of mates with them - i don't particlarly want a fish that will get huge such as oscar's - i like a more active fish - but something that i coul keep with catfish or other somewhat aggressive fish is intriguing - for example i want to get some pictus cats - i woul like a tank with firemouths and pictus cats that woul be fun - not sure what else works though - or are there any cichlids i can keep with angel fish? oh yeah by the way if you can - can you pls tell me their common names sorry i dont the scientific names of thee fish thanks -
so basicaly my choice cichlid woul be the firemouth so if you coul tell me what will work with them i woul appreciate it!
also if you can the other Q's too thanx

[demon_surfer]

Firemouths are in general a pretty peaceful cichlid. though I have read stories of them being mean they are rated pretty low on the aggresion'O"meter.

I am not sure if they will nip fins of the angels but there is a good chance they will. The angelfish are usually held to be even less aggressive than the Firemouths and they physical makeup does not make them the most efficient combatants.

the firemouth is a member of the

Thorichthys Genus and has several relatives that are very similar if rarer.

I couldnt get a link to work so go to www.fishbase.org and in the "Genus" text bar type

Thorichthys

then hit enter this should bring up a list of about 8-10 names all starting with Thorichthys.

if you click on the names it will give you info on each, there should be a picture in the top right. If there isnt in its place there will be a "try google images" button that will try finding pictures on google. (duuhh :D )

I believe it would be worth trying a firemouth with your angels but keep a close eye on them. and make sure it is a young firemouth as an adult will likely be less forgiving.

my personal favorite from this Genus is the Aureus, it looks like a more colorful Firemouth (Meeki)

instead of your angels you could try to purchase a male and female firemouth and then have a school of tetras to add some motion higher in the tank and maybe some corydoras in the bottom tank.

btw your best bet at getting a male female pair is buying 6 juveniles and removing the extras once a pair becomes apparant.

I hope this helps, Please let me know where you go from here!

[demon_surfer]

or instead of the corys and tetras a couple of pictus cats! :D

[peifc]

Since you really want Firemouth (Thorichthys Meeki), check out these articles. This will help you understand this group of cichlids.

http://www.cichlidae.com/articles/a143.html
http://www.cichlidae.com/articles/a007.html
http://www.cichlidae.com/articles/a148.html
http://www.cichlidae.com/articles/a024.html

[LMOUTHBASS]

thasnks guys, i'm thinking everything over! so if you get cichlids you dont always have to have them with all cichlid's ??? In this case they can be mixed with pictus cats ???

[scholar]

Almost everyone hasa sucker fish, pleco to clean the inside of the galss and the tank in general.

As far as tanks go. this is the rule I follow. Get the biggest you can afford in money and space. You will not be sorry. For Firemeounths, I recommend a six footer which is 100G+. You can always ad more fish if you care for it.AND you will in time. :)

good luck, :)

[demon_surfer]

there are lots of fish you can add, though they may have a slightly limited survival time.