cichlid help

[smokin]

im about to have a open 40 gal .. i want a pair of cichlids to breed i dont know anything about them.. i want something that aint gonna get huge, some thing that looks nice any recomendations (http://search.netscape.com/search/redir?src=websearch&requestId=ea4906ac1f1be7c8&clickedItemRank=1&userQuery=recomendations&clickedItemURN=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bobfoote.com%2Fpro ductrecomendations.htm&title=Product+%3Cb%3ERecomendations%3C%2Fb%3E&moduleId=matchingsites.jsp.M&clickedItemPageRanking=1&clickedItemPage=1&clickedItemDescription=WebResults)? would it be better to get two diff kinds of cichlids so there not bro/sis.. anything else u wanna say ill listen

thanks paul

[Pittbull]

Cichlids sum up to be around a few hundred different species from different places in the world..

If your a beginner in cichlids i would recommend something easy to raise and breed so you can get some experience.. IMO i would go with only 2 fish preferable a pair M/F convicts in a tank that size in a pair would do pretty good and are great beginners as long as you dont add anything else in the tank.. guarantee they will breed for you and then you can experience fry..

[toddnbecka]

I have 5 extra chanchito's (rare, mid-size SA species) that would work very well in a 40. I currently have a breeding pair with a couple hundred fry in a 30. A second pair also shares the tank, though not very happily, along with some pleco's growing out. The pleco's don't get half as much grief as the other cichlids, but aside from an occaisonal split fin no actual damage is done. I'll be posting some pics after the camera battery charges up. The other 3 are in 2 other tanks, tossing them together would certainly result in at least one more breeding pair forming.
These fish don't require a heater, but they're fine w/one too. Excellent parents up to about 2 weeks after the fry become free-swimming, then they disappear if not moved to a growout tank. Either way, the parents will be spawning again shortly. Depending on your location I could probably ship them Priority Mail, $45 + postage.

[smokin]

ive read about cons a little but how do they do with there offspring.? is it ok if they came from the same parents or is it better to use two sources.? i want some cichlids that are mature. or is it better to buy young.. what would you be willing to sell me for 45+shipping? are cichlids freshwater or do they require some salt?

[AfroCichlid]

ive read about cons a little but how do they do with there offspring.? is it ok if they came from the same parents or is it better to use two sources.? i want some cichlids that are mature. or is it better to buy young.. what would you be willing to sell me for 45+shipping? are cichlids freshwater or do they require some salt?

Convicts are usually considered the most profilic breeders and are excellent parents. As mentioned, they would be the only fish in the tank. Acaras would be a good choice as well. You could proabably get by with a few small tank-mates with Acaras. It's fine to use siblings, although if you're unsure how long they've been inbred you might not figure on gaining much of value in trade for them. I know most of my LFS don't even carry Convicts.


ToddnBecka: are you talking about Australoheros facetus? How large has your largest male gotten? They seem to average 8" from the info I've seen.

I don't use salt and don't advocate it's use. It's useful for disease treatments, and possibly acclimating new fish. It lowers toxicity of nitrate, which is why it was originally used. Today, water changes take care of that. If you want to use it, go for it. A lot of people do. Aquarium salt is a rip-off though. Buy it at the local market. Remember, every water change only dilutes the salt you've already added, so if you have no way of monitoring the levels, you're just adding more and more salt.

[toddnbecka]

ive read about cons a little but how do they do with there offspring.? is it ok if they came from the same parents or is it better to use two sources.? i want some cichlids that are mature. or is it better to buy young.. what would you be willing to sell me for 45+shipping? are cichlids freshwater or do they require some salt?
IME there doesn't seem to be any problem with breeding siblings. It's the only way to selectively breed any fish for certain traits, though after multiple generations it may be a good idea to introduce some different stock.
These fish are just old enough to spawn. I've found from previous experience shipping fish (both ways) that a new tank/environment promotes pairing and breeding. I shipped out spme HRP's a while back, one established breeding pair and several more singles. Within a week of being placed in their new home there were 2 spawning pairs w/eggs. I don't use salt; not only is it unnecessary for the fish in general, very few live plants will tolerate it long-term.
I'm looking to sell the 5 extras. One breeding pair (producing several hundred fry each spawn) is enough for me. No worries about overcrowding though, after a couple weeks they will eat the fry if they aren't moved out.


ToddnBecka: are you talking about Australoheros facetus? How large has your largest male gotten? They seem to average 8" from the info I've seen.
All I can say for certain is that they're Australoheros, not certain of the species but it's the closest I've seen to pics from searching the 'net. They're currently about the same size as convicts when they start breeding, 3-4". There isn't a lot of info available, and apparently there are at least several more species that haven't been classified by the experts.

[smokin]

i just want 1 male and 1 female is it better to buy from a lfs or some1 on one of these forums

[AfroCichlid]

That would depend. Often times folks on the forums are willing to trade or ship for the cost of shipping. If there's cash involved here, sometimes with the shipping it can be more expensive if the fish you want is available locally. Plus the local fish are usually bred in the same water you would be keeping them in.
You aren't likely to find the fish Toddnbecka have locally, though. Do a search on them, as opposed to an Acara or Convict. Not much info is available comparatively.

[smokin]

i was just at my lfs they dont have any cons but all the cichlids are like 1.5 inches how long would it take for them to start breeding? except the oscars they were bigger. any body willing to give any cons away?

[AfroCichlid]

You live in PA? There are tons of fish clubs up there. Are you out in the hills? The box stored usually carry Convicts, like Petsmart, Petco, Pet Supermarket, etc.

[smokin]

i went to petsmart in lebanon county
i pretty new to this fish stuff i dont know any clubs