cichlid suggestions for a 30 gal community tank?

[SKAPSYCHO]

Hello,
I am setting up my 30 gallon tank once again. I will begin with a trio of guppies (1, 2F), one SA bumblebee cat (max out around 3.5"), a group of platys (1M, 3F), and then I'd like a cichlid or maybe even a pair.

I've considered a lone firemouth, but they get a bit too big for a 30 gallon. I also thought kribensis might work, but they can be little terrors when spawning and rearing fry. I'd ideally like to see some interesting behavior while also having population control for the livebearers. would an angelfish work out ok?

Any suggestions would be great! Thanks and happy holidays.
~Skap

[swordtail72]

hey mate! An angel should be ok. You could try some rams or other darwf cichlids.

[SKAPSYCHO]

Thanks for the reply!

I've been considering a pair of African Butterfly Dwarf cichlids, though I'm not sure that I want to deal with any fry that "make it" to an age where they need to be sold, which is likely to happen.

I've also been thinking about a firemouth again. Would a 30 gallon suffice for a lone firemouth? It'd be a nice fish for keeping the platy/guppy population in check, and I doubt aggression will be a big issue if I don't have anything else on the bttom save my SA bumblebee cat, which is strictly nocturnal.

Keep the ideas coming and happy holidays!
~Skap

[SKAPSYCHO]

hey, just a bump ^!

[josephish]

what does it mean bump?

[josephish]

I am not the expert and i know all the pros will say they would do otherwise.but i have three small firemouths in a 20 gal for four months now and they seem alright with the whole thing.

[josephish]

like most ciclids one will become dominant and the other(s) will school or keep their distance. The firemouth does not get much bigger than 4-5 inches or 7" whatever. Ive kept them in a 55 gal and they did not do any better in the 55gal than the 20gal. If you want firemouths then get one they are mild and a community ciclid if their are community ciclids.

[HolyBull]

I had a trio of firemouths years back in a 20 show with some corys and s striped raphael and it was fine.