Hello! I'm new here, and have a 55gal ready to go.

CigDaze

CigDaze

AC Members
Feb 16, 2006
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St. Petersburg, FL
Hello everyone. I thought I'd make my introduction to you all.
I've been hanging around here for a few weeks and I'm really impressed by these forums. There are a great variety of very knowledgable members here, and the site is excellent.

I have a 55 gallon freshwater tank that I've had in continuous use for many years, but I did a complete overhaul on it a couple months back, after it became devoid of fish. I had planned on re-doing it about a year ago, so I waited out the passing of the last couple fish I had.

Anyway, I stripped the tank, bought all new equipment, gravel, plants, decorations and rocks, and now the tank is completely cycled and ready to go.

Here's my dilema: I'm torn with what kind of fish to stock it with this time around.

I ventured out to my local petsmart yesterday and began browsing their fish stocks. I'm very attracted to a variety of cichlids, they seem to be the most colorful, vibrant and energetic, however I am aware of their agressiveness. I've never had any, and I believe that it's best to keep cichlids with cichlids only - am I correct here? Are there any community or peaceful cichlids out there?

I also like and enjoy a variety of schooling community fish. It's enjoyable to watch many different smaller fish school around and watch them interact.

It's a tossup.

Any ideas? Can I mix certain cichlids with other community fish?
What have some of you folks done? Any pics?

Thanks, and have a great day!

:shark:
 
There are some very nice & peacefull Cichlids out there!

If you want the Peacefull Community Tank then perhaps Duscus are what you'd do best with!

You can have a couple pairs of Discus in a 55 Gal and add a large school of Tetras to complement it. Lots of beautiful Tetras out there.

Also, you may want to think about Apistos. There's some gorgeous ones out there and can they're fairly small.


Good Luck!


-TF
 
German Blue Rams are a peaceful dwarf cichlid. I have them in a community tank and so far so good. I don't find that petsmart carries them but Petco does as well as one of my LFS so you might have them around.
 
Welcome fellow Floridian!


One thing to consider BEFORE choosing fish, to plant or not to plant?

Blue ram, double full red or orange cockatoo cichlids would be good
choices.
Schoolers, zebria danios - VERY ACTIVE, rummy nose tetra, cardianl tetra, hatches, all schools are fun to watch.

Try liveaquaria.com

Good luck!
 
CigDaze said:
I ventured out to my local petsmart yesterday...
Click to expand...
There have got to be dozens of fish stores in your area - screw Petsmart. Find a good store with a knowledgeable staff (quiz them - really) and give them your business.

CigDaze said:
Can I mix certain cichlids with other community fish?
Click to expand...
You betcha. Here are some choices that will go well with most tetras/danios/rasboras etc:
Apistogramma sp - Take your choice here, there are lots of species.
Rams - Blue or gold varieties, also available in longfin.
Nannacara sp - A little harder to find; your LFS may be able to order them.
Laetacara curviceps or L. dorsigera - Same deal with Nannacara.
Angelfish - When full grown, will eat fish under about 1.5" - all-black varieties may tend more towards aggression.
Discus - Need warm acidic water - pick tankmates that have similar requirements - will eat fish under about 1.5".

If you go with larger tankmates, in the 4-inch range, you could go with Cichlasoma species - maybe Sajicas or Convicts.

BTW, any of these will be compatible with a planted tank. Cichlasoma species may tear some plants if they decide to spawn, in which case they will also get grumpy and stake out a territory. You can diminish aggression exhibited by cichlids by providing a number of "pre-staked" territories - rocky caves, driftwood hideouts, that kind of stuff. I like to use slate rocks vertically to visually divide the tank as well.
 
Thanks to all of you for your warm welcome.
There are some great suggestions here.

I looked up all the fish profiles that were mentioned above. It seems that most of the cichlids that were named belong to the "dwarf" family of cichlids, and most indications are that they will do well in a community environment. Good to know, as most seem very colorful and pleasant - learn something new every day. ;)

I would love to get a few discuses, but it appears that they are very finnicky about their water, which I don't have a problem with most of the time, but I do travel occassionally for a few days, so this could be a slight concern - as well as the low PH and high temps. They are beautiful fish, though.

As far as petsmart, I know they're not the best, it was a just a good place to browse a lot of live fish while picking up some dog food. I'll be seeking out some finer LFS's locally.

I don't typically heavily plant my tanks, maybe a few small floaters here and there for scenery and nitrate maintenance, so I'm not too worried about nibblers.

You guys are great, thanks again! :)
 
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