i need your opinions for possible tank mate

[LMOUTHBASS]

some of you may have noticed i have been looking around for info on the german blue ram - i CANNOT find these things in my area none of the lfs carry them they all say they are too sensitive and die easily - i did find bolivian rams but their not as nice looking - i was able to find a petco who said they can special order for me - might go that route but not sure of the quality -
anyhow
i have been thinking of what direction i want my 55g to go in currently i have angel fish , clown loaches, gouramis, cories, will be putting some rainbow fish, and hatchets in when the are out of quarantine i have turned my attention to the firemouth cichlid
i've been reading and it seems most ppl are suggesting this is a more peacefull cichlid that can work in a commmunity tank -
i want my finished product to house an interesting variety of fish - more on the semi - aggressive side, but still nice enough that i can get schooling tetras etc if i want-
will the firemouth work ?
what if i get one as a juvenile?has anyone kept the firemouth like this that can speak from experience?
my other thoughts are that my 20g that is serving as q tank now - maybe when i'm done with it in this capacity i can make it sometype of small type of cichlid tank
whats your thoughts thanks
lmb

[ewok]

personally i'd try the petco thing. ask them if they will give you the regular "guarantee" that they offer.

other than that, i don't think so for firemouths, but i've never kept them. maybe sum-x will pop in on this, or ask in the cichlid forum. :)

[tomm10]

You're in the Boston area, right? Have you tried Uncle Ned's Fish Factory? They're not exactly in the Boston suburbs as I think they're out in Millis but they specialize in cichlids.

If they don't have them I bet they could get them and I would trust them over Petco in a second.

Uncle Ned's Fish Factory (http://unclenedsfishfactory.com/)

Good Luck!

[Hans]

can i request LMOUTHBASS provide a short summary of each topic below his essay type question? hehehe

[LMOUTHBASS]

have you been to or gotten fish from uncle ned's fish factory ? it seems pretty good - might take a ride over there
i'm in the quincy area just outside boston shoulnt be too bad of a ride
thanks for the link

[tomm10]

I only have commuity tanks so I have never purchased anything there but I have visited. Its a pretty big shop with tons of fish. they had some salt water and some communtiy fish but probably 70% of their fish are cichlids. If you want accessories its not the best place but if you're a cichlid fan its like heaven on earth.

Even if you don't find the blue rams there you may very well find another kind of cichlid you haven't seen available. Definitely worth a trip.

[LMOUTHBASS]

thanks man - i might have to vheck it out!!!

[tomm10]

No problem, HTH! It should be a good Saturday trip for you.

While you're out and about you can also check out Tropic Isle on Rt 9 in Framingham. They're the most comprehensive fish store around. Its where I find myself buying most of my stuff.

Tropic Isle (http://www.tropicisleaquarium.com/)

[LMOUTHBASS]

i had them on my hit list! they any good? souns like a big store - i might be taking a trip to RI soon also - to get some whiteclouds - shhhhhhhhhh ! jk

[tomm10]

Tropic Isle is pretty good. They have a good selection of fish and their tanks are always pretty clean and healthy. Its rare that you see a dead or really sick fish in one of their tanks. They also have a good salt water section. They have something like 500 tanks so you can take your time and browse in there.

I work in RI and the only good shop I've seen done here is on Wickendon Street in Providence. I don't recall the name. I would say their worth a fruitless drive though so I would make some calls before you came down here :)

Good luck.

[LMOUTHBASS]

pirates cove in tiverton RI - a co worker reccomneded them to me -
also can i get whiteclouds down there? heard i can ? have you seen them though?

[tomm10]

Tiverton is a little bit of a stretch for me to get to from Providence on my lunch break :D so I haven't been there. Its probably worth the trip if they have the whiteclouds.

According to Badman's (http://badmanstropicalfish.com/states/ri.html) the Pirate's Cove looks decent. I've found that site pretty helpful for locating shops.

[LMOUTHBASS]

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