Colorful, non-Tankbusters for a new 180

G

gregga

I'm Mighty Megala..(wife: whatever)
Jan 8, 2000
140
0
16
60
Long Island
Placed the order today for the new 180G (tank#10, wife passed out ) and I want some stocking feedback.
I'm looking for "non-common" SA-CA that are highly colorful, very active, have moderate temperaments and don't get enormous in size - maxing out about 8-9".
I already own Archocentrus Centrarchus, Nicaguerense, Paratilapia Polleni (Madagascar), and Geophagus (Steindachneri and Brasiliensis) that will be moving into the tank. I'm looking for possible tankmates (No tankbusters):
- Will Chocolate cichlids (Temporalis) fit in?
- Geophagus Balzani?
- Archocentrarchus Sajica
- Nandopsis Bartoni?
- Escondidos?
My first thought is not to go with the standard Uaras, Acaras, Dempseys, Severums.....etc...etc.... Do you feel that Bifasiatums are too agressive for this group?
Finally, does anyone else have recommendations for Madagascar cichlids beside Bleekeri & Polleni? Thanks for the feedback - Gregg
 
Last edited:
You should'nt mix CA with SA because of different water requirement. SA come from soft acid water and some are hard to keep unless you can get RO water. CA come from hard alkaline water that actually mix better with African Rift Lake cichlid than SA. For medium size CA, I like the various species of Thorichthys. They are firemouth like fish which are rare in the trade but mild in temperament.
 
A very nice looking and rare species is Cichlasoma oblongus. They have everything going for them. Stay small, peaceful, and fantastic looking. Great little cichlid.
I would not put a bartoni in there as my experience with them is they are very aggressive.
For madagascar cichlids I would recommend some members of the Ptychochromis genus. P. oligoacanthus and P. nossibeensis are not too hard to get ahold of. The Paretroplus members tend to be a bit more delicate.
Hope this helped you some.
 
Firemouths seem to fit the bill, though mine are quite aggressive.

I've heard that neets are highly agressive as salviniis(?) , I have salviniis and they don't seem to be.

There are some colorful dwarf pikes to concider too.
 
Some of my favorites are Vieja regani, Vieja zonatum, and Vieja bifasciatum.

I've found all three to pretty peaceful, but they can hang with more aggressive fish with little problems also.
 
Hey Gregga, congrats!! Wish I had a few extra 180's lying around... :D

I think that all the fish you are considering would be fine with the exception of the bartoni and Escondido. Both are rather cantankerous. The Escondido is actually just a geographical variant of H. carpinte which is no sweetheart.

Other 'off the beaten path' SA/CA you may want to consider are:

Acarichthys heckelli
Acarichthys_heckelii_koiras.jpg


Herichthys bocourti
bocourti5.jpg


Geophagus altifrons
99class_05aca.jpg


Concerning other Malagasy species:

Paretroplus maculatus
maculatus-01.jpg


Paretroplus menanrambo
menarambo-01.jpg


Neither species are terribly colorful but very interesting. Very similar to the marine tangs.

If your ready to drop some big bucks consider Paretroplus nourissati
Pnourissati.jpg


It'll only set you back $100 per fish ;)
 
Thanks folks......
Inxs, I do like the Pikes as well, but have never kept them. Can you recommend a colorful variety. (This will be more of a show tank, opposed to a breeding tank)
Rare cichlids, interesting that you mentioned the Bifas. I currently have two (about 5-6" each), but after watching them for many months I kinda was betting that they'd be too agressive to mix w/fish like Nicaguerense, Centrarchus...etc...what's your opinion?
Marcus, Man you're a troublemaker. I just love those Malagasy fish. Fell in love with them ever since I got my first Polleni. That Nourrisati is a hottie. I already have Redhumps and Brasiliensis, so I'll hold off on the Altifrons.
Bobby, you have a pic or link to some Cichlosoma Oblongus. I'd like to know more.
Does anyone have any experience with Chocolates?
 
Hmm, all the Bifasciatus that I have kept have been rather well mannered with other fish (especially in nice sized tanks). I think it would probably work with most Bifasciatus, but if yours seem rather aggressive you might want to leave them out.

Marcus's picture of the Madagascan Nourissati reminds me of Astatheros nourissati which is also a very beautiful fish that you may want to look into.

I have been keeping 2 Temporalis for around a year now. I bought a 3" fish last January, and a 2" fish last march. They have now grown to 6" and 4" are in my experiance a rather peaceful cichlid, but will bluff and flare if another cichlid gets in their way. I don't think either of mine have even gone as far as lip locking though. In my oppinion they would do well in a 180g with the other kinds of fish we are talking about here.
 
How about Nanoluteus. They are being sold as the "Gold Convict". Very pretty mid sized and somewhat mild cichlid.

Nanoluteus%202b.jpg


Or even a Basket Mouth Cichlid? You don't see them around much. They stay small. Mild mannered.

Basket%20Mouth%205.jpg
 
here is a pic of oblongus in breeding dress. Great little fish.
fce785b2.jpg

As for the Paretroplus nourissati from my experience with them they are more aggressive than the other Paretroplus species. I have had good luck keeping them with semi aggressive Amphilophus type species like rhytisma.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom