ONE Cichlid for 55 Gallon?

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SftWrmRain

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Nov 14, 2006
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Hi. I have never kept cichlids before, and have been reading up in this forum to learn from all you experienced keepers. My question is, would it be a bad idea to keep only ONE fish in a 55 gallon tank? I'd like an African Cichlid that requires a higher pH - 8.0 would be best as my water is naturally hard.

If it wouldn't be a bad idea (loneliness issues, etc), which fish would you recommend? I would love something of decent size obviously, and colorful. I'm willing to create my tank to accommodate this fish's natural habitat as much as possible.

Thanks for your ideas, in advance!
 
If you want a single african cichlid, there's nothing more majestic than a zaire blue frontosa male.

Another choice would be one of the Haplochromis sp.

If I was to choose a single CA/SA cichlid to keep, it would be a female wild caught Amphilophus festae. It's the bright red one in my avatar.
 
jm1212 said:
are you sure you want an african cichlid?
Jack Dempsys, Severum, Texas, and Salvini will all be fine by themselves (and some dithers)
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I'm not positive I want an African, but from the pictures I've seen, I am most attracted to them. If I am shown a particularly beautiful fish of any kind that fits within what I feel I can provide for him/her, I am not ruling out the possibility of anything totally.

Thank you for your suggestions. I'll look into each of them and see which one or if any appeal to me.
 
Nolapete said:
If you want a single african cichlid, there's nothing more majestic than a zaire blue frontosa male.

Another choice would be one of the Haplochromis sp.

If I was to choose a single CA/SA cichlid to keep, it would be a female wild caught Amphilophus festae. It's the bright red one in my avatar.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your ideas! I'll look into them! I assume if I get one to start, that adding others down the line wouldn't be advisable?
 
You could put a trio of frontosas in a 55, 1M 2F. You could do the same thing with the Haplochromis.

55 is the bare minimum for a female festae and NOTHING would survive with her. You CAN NOT put a male in with her in a 55. The pair in my avatar spent time in my 110 and were in my 90 awaiting their 500 gallon pool when hurricane Katrina hit here and murdered them.
 
jpappy789 said:
May I ask why you only want one? The fish suggested are fine but I'm just curious...
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I don't have a really great reason, other than at times wanting a sort of "specialty" fish - a really neat, beautiful, exceptional fish that may be aggressive. I've always had community tanks where some of the more exciting fish wouldn't make a good community member. I know I could keep 10 or so cichlids in a 55, but I'm also loving the *idea* of not having a ton of tank maintenance (waste) to clean up every few days.

Again, I'm not set, and my mind can be turned. Sell me on why I should have a tank full! :)
 
Nolapete said:
You could put a trio of frontosas in a 55, 1M 2F. You could do the same thing with the Haplochromis.

55 is the bare minimum for a female festae and NOTHING would survive with her. You CAN NOT put a male in with her in a 55. The pair in my avatar spent time in my 110 and were in my 90 awaiting their 500 gallon pool when hurricane Katrina hit here and murdered them.
Click to expand...

I'm really LOVING the way the frontosas look. I think 3 would be beautiful together in a 55. Do the males and females look alike, or are there differences in color or other obvious characteristics? Researching a little now. :)

Still open for other suggestions!
 
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