Restocking Suggestions Needed

[goldentiff]

I want to totally redo my 55g. I would like cichlids since from the little I know they are the most colorful of FW fish.

Can someone plz suggest what are my best options. I thought since I already have a convict and 2 plecos (one BN the other is unknown) in there I could stick to SA cichlids.
I would like to put as many as I can while still giving them plenty of space.

Aside from type of fish can you also suggest the type of gravel or substrate best suited for them.
I know they like plenty of caves/rocks and I will be getting those.

I cannot trust my LFS since they don't know one cichlid from the other so if you can also suggest how I can verify that I am getting the right ones. Or am I better off buying the fish online?

Alot of questions... I know....Sorry but I really want to make this work so that not only I but the fish are happy and have a long life.

[rmcder]

I want to totally redo my 55g. I would like cichlids since from the little I know they are the most colorful of FW fish.

Can someone plz suggest what are my best options. I thought since I already have a convict and 2 plecos (one BN the other is unknown) in there I could stick to SA cichlids. I would like to put as many as I can while still giving them plenty of space.

Aside from type of fish can you also suggest the type of gravel or substrate best suited for them.
I know they like plenty of caves/rocks and I will be getting those.

I cannot trust my LFS since they don't know one cichlid from the other so if you can also suggest how I can verify that I am getting the right ones. Or am I better off buying the fish online?

Alot of questions... I know....Sorry but I really want to make this work so that not only I but the fish are happy and have a long life.How large do you want the fish to grow? That is going to affect how many. How much aggression are you willing to accept? That determines the species and whether or not you want breeding pairs. Breeding pairs require (usually) a lot of space.

My guess from what you wrote is that you'd like them to be attractive, not overly aggressive, and you want several in the tank? Based on that assumption, you'd want small (5" or less) fish with mild dispositions, and you might want to try to avoid mating pairs. I'm also going to assume that you'd be ok with CA as well as SA?

Firemouth would be possible, along with their various "Mixteco" relatives. The Crytoheros (Sajica, Honduran Red Point, Nanoluteus, etc) are possibles. Spinosisimus and Multispinosa are possibles. You could get away with one female Nicaraguense (a little bigger). Severum would work for awhile, but would likely grow too big over time. Going really small you could try Apistos, Rams. An Electric Blue Dempsey might work out, but they seem to be picky about water conditions and are often "delicate".

LFS is always iffy depending on your location. Jeff Rapps is an excellent online source, and could advise you as well.

The SA/CA like fine substrate. I use sand, but it takes a lot of effort to prepare properly, and you have to be careful about it clogging your pump. There are some threads around that can advise you about that.