55g overhaul

[merlin4260]

...the perpetual cycle continues...

I've had a 55g community tank (angels, gouramis, rainbow fish, etc.) for about 2 years now, and I think it is time to switch it up. Everything but the bottom feeders will be either given to friends with compatible tanks or traded in on the new fish.

I'm looking for some stocking suggestions for switching to cichlids. I am not trying to stay within one region so I don't mind mixing South americans with africans etc. (as long as they will play nice). I definitely want an Oscar (typical, huh :rolleyes: ) beyond that what I have seen available locally and would be interested in are; kribensis, Jack Dempsey's (but don't want to do a species tank, anyone have any pairings that have worked well for them?), Peacock, Firemouth, Jewel, and Texas cichlids, and Green Severum.

Obviously I am not looking to put all of these in a 55g, these are just what I have seen available locally that caught my eye.


...so...suggestions?

[~*LuvMyKribs*~]

Well unless you are planning on upgrading in the near future an oscar will soon outgrow a 55 gallon.
:)
I dont know much about SA or CA cichlids other than the dwarf ones, but i DO know that it is highly unadvisable to mix american and african cichlids. Its not only thier aggression that is the issuse, but also thier diet and water chemistry are drastically different.

So basically, we need to know if you are definate on the oscar and tank upgrade, because the tank will need to be built around him. And its very unlikely you could keep anything with him in the 55.

If you dont want the oscar, then we will need to next know whether you want SA/CA or african... because as i said before they shouldnt be mixed, and its not just an issue of creating a biotope tank.

:)
-Diana

[merlin4260]

Well the catch is that I am in grad school and will be graduating in December...which means that I will likely be moving shortly after that (hopefully far far away from the Midwest) So although I do realize that several of those fish that I mentioned would outgrow a 55g in time, they probably won't have that much time.

I would like to have an oscar, but I am open to suggestions.

[~*LuvMyKribs*~]

Ah i see so you will be selling off the fish when you move?

I personally reccommend Malawi cichlids because they are bright, colorful, and full of personality. Most cichlids have cool personality though, so its really up to you which ones suit your fancy. http://www.malawimayhem.com

If you wanted americans some SA/CA keepers will chime up and tell you which ones are compatible with each other. ;)