PaulK
03-23-2003, 8:22 AM
Ok, I’m very frustrated right now. For the past few years, I have been keeping kenyi (African cichlids) in my 55 gal tank. Well, I finally got tired of the same old cycle: buy a bunch of little ones, trying to sex them, then after a few months one or more of them turns out to be a male, who gets super aggressive. I really really liked the look and behavior of these fish (and cichlids as a whole) but just could not deal with the super aggressive nature of the males of this species. I already have one male banished to a 15 gal aquarium.
I had some giant danios in there with them to act as target fish, which did help some, but just not enough. Some people recommend overstocking the tank (around 20 little ones) but A) I cannot afford this at $3-5 per fish) and B) I believe I would run into the same problems as the little ones sexually mature.
So yesterday I decided to clear out the kenyi and try something new, but I did not know exactly what. I took them to the only LFS that will buy fish at 50%. I talked to the guy working there about what I wanted, which is a fish with some personality. Something that gets large. Not just your typical “mindlessly swimming” fish.
He suggested angels, but was afraid that my danios would nip their fins. He also suggested a frontosa or a clown knife. I almost got the frontosa, but the steep price and the fact that it might go after my pl*co stopped me. I ended up getting the knife, which I like, but here is the problem: I did not realize that they get quite so LARGE! I knew that it would get big (he did mention that it might outgrow my tank after 5 or so years). After researching a little more, it seems that it may outgrow the tank much sooner than that.
I guess the knife will have to go back today and now I am back in the same dilemma. I have no idea what to get. I have been thinking firemouths, but I don’t know how many to get for a 55. I think I would like angels, but should I get rid of the danios? What about a convict? Or a Jack? Or should I bite the bullet and get the frontosa? I really love cichlids, but I need either a peaceful species (hard to find) or a species that is happy by itself.
Please keep in mind that my selection is VERY limited.
Help please.
Also, I know that ultimately it is my responsibility to know the details of the fish I am buying, but I am rather upset that this guy suggested a knife for a 55 gal tank. Is it common to keep them in a tank this size? I am worrying about the size factor too much? The sad thing is that this was at the one LFS (of 3) that I trust the most.
Thanks
Paul
I had some giant danios in there with them to act as target fish, which did help some, but just not enough. Some people recommend overstocking the tank (around 20 little ones) but A) I cannot afford this at $3-5 per fish) and B) I believe I would run into the same problems as the little ones sexually mature.
So yesterday I decided to clear out the kenyi and try something new, but I did not know exactly what. I took them to the only LFS that will buy fish at 50%. I talked to the guy working there about what I wanted, which is a fish with some personality. Something that gets large. Not just your typical “mindlessly swimming” fish.
He suggested angels, but was afraid that my danios would nip their fins. He also suggested a frontosa or a clown knife. I almost got the frontosa, but the steep price and the fact that it might go after my pl*co stopped me. I ended up getting the knife, which I like, but here is the problem: I did not realize that they get quite so LARGE! I knew that it would get big (he did mention that it might outgrow my tank after 5 or so years). After researching a little more, it seems that it may outgrow the tank much sooner than that.
I guess the knife will have to go back today and now I am back in the same dilemma. I have no idea what to get. I have been thinking firemouths, but I don’t know how many to get for a 55. I think I would like angels, but should I get rid of the danios? What about a convict? Or a Jack? Or should I bite the bullet and get the frontosa? I really love cichlids, but I need either a peaceful species (hard to find) or a species that is happy by itself.
Please keep in mind that my selection is VERY limited.
Help please.
Also, I know that ultimately it is my responsibility to know the details of the fish I am buying, but I am rather upset that this guy suggested a knife for a 55 gal tank. Is it common to keep them in a tank this size? I am worrying about the size factor too much? The sad thing is that this was at the one LFS (of 3) that I trust the most.
Thanks
Paul