Went to LFS...need help deciding!

[missourigrl]

Hello. I posted here a while back about wanting to try cichlids. Well, I was finally able to visit the LFS today and this is what they had in cichlids:

Convict
Yellow Lab
Electric Blue Johanni
Lemon Cichlid
Cobalt Blue Cichlid
Bolivian Ram
Jack Dempsey

I have a 37 gallon Eclipse. Would I be able to keep any of these in my aquarium and how many? I was thinking about the Lemon's, Cobalt Blue's, and Bolivian Rams. At the store the convicts and jack dempsey's were in separate tanks. The yellow labs and electric blue johanni's were together, and the lemon's, cobalt blue's, and bolivian ram's were together so I'm assuming they were compatible with each other.

Thanks!

[Needeles]

Ok some basic info about each fish listed below..

Yellow Lab - Usally peaceful but will become semi-agressive when spawning. These fish can grow up to about 5" and some have kept them in a larger community tank. You will need to keep some sort of hiding spots for them like a cave or 2. They are one of the least aggressive rift lake cichlids.

Electric Blue Johannii - These tend to be a pretty aggressive fish. I myself would say not to put them with other smaller fish or in a tank the size of what you have. These grow to be alittle smaller the 5". These type also need plenty of hiding spots in a tank.

Lemon Cichlid - These fish are pretty territorial. They grow to just under 4" in size. They like to have a good amount of open space to swim and also some caves for hiding.

Cobalt Blue Cichlid - These fish are alittle agressive depending on tankmates and tank size. They grow to be alittle under 6". They prefer to have a good amount of hiding places in there tank and also should be kept in a tank that is at least 55g.

Bolivian Ram - Tend to be pretty good with other fish. They may get alittle mean during breeding times but otherwise are good for a community tank. They grow to just above 2" in size. They also like to have some hiding spots in a tank.

Jack Dempsey - They can get pretty mean at times. They are very territorial and should only be kept with other fish of the same size. These fish can grow to anywhere between 8"-10" depending on the sex. I would not put one of these in a 37g as it will be way to small.

Convict - All depend on what type it is. There a few different types of cons so you will have to be alittle more specific.

Above is just some simple info for ya. You can use this info and come to a conclusion. I myself would not put any but the Bolivian Rams in. You could then get a couple other types of fish. Other people may have some different points of view for you also.

Also never count on what a LFS has to say unless you know that they are reliable. Most of the time they will mix fish that should not be and never tell you. I'm glad you came and asked first. You are headed in the right direction.

[threejjj]

As far as i know all convicts are aggresive no matter the color. If I where you I would either keep 1 Dempsey and 1 convict in the tank or the africans. If you keep any of the other fish the rams need to go, too peacful for the others.

[harles2000]

what are your water parameters where you are, soft or hard, acidic or alkaline?

the bolivian rams like soft acidic waters, as do cons and jacks.
the africans I dont know well, but most need hard, alkaline water.

bolivian rams are very peaceful, not especially colorful, but are a good start to a community tank - you could always add another pair of SA cichlids as they become available, such as Herotilapia Multispinosa, Honduran Red Points, or even Kribensis as they are not hardwater African fish.

[is300zx]

I'm with needeles and I probably wouldn't put anything in there other than the bolivian ram out of all of those that you mentioned. The 37 gallon eclipse tank is tall and narrow and your choices would be limited to smaller species of fish and prefarably non territorial. I would stick with schooling fish like tetras to occupy the top and middle of your tank. Then some type of dwarf cichlids like rams, apistos, or shell dwellers.

[DeRo316]

As far as i know all convicts are aggresive no matter the color. If I where you I would either keep 1 Dempsey and 1 convict in the tank or the africans. If you keep any of the other fish the rams need to go, too peacful for the others.

Don't put a dempsey in a 37 gallon tank.

You could go with a pair of convicts, the rams would be good since you could add some other community fish as well.

[Star_Rider]

Yup, Id' recommend dwarf cichlids.


rams either bolivians or blue. the bolivians are considered to be a bit hardier and easier to keep.

convict..it it were me..I'd skip them..my luck I'd have a breeding pair..and those things breed like rabbits.

I have rams(bolivians) in a 20 ..I may add some dithers but they are a breeding pair so i may let them spawn a few more times first.