American Cichlid Community

[TropicalNorth]

I'd like to set up a cichlid tank in the future (I have to convince my parents first so it could be the very distant future). My water supply is soft and acidic (Ph about 6.8), I don't like playing around with the Ph so that rules out Africans. Ideally I'd like to keep some medium sized (5" to 7") american cichlids.

I've done a little bit of research and these are the ones I like (and can get a hold of): Firemouth, Rainbow, Festivum, Port Acara and Salvini (too aggressive?).

1. Can I keep these together (1 of each species)?
2. If I can what size (gallons, length) tank would you recommend to accomodate them plus dither fish and clean-up crew?
3. If these can't be kept together can you suggest others?

Thanks.

 

[rmcder]

I'd like to set up a cichlid tank in the future (I have to convince my parents first so it could be the very distant future). My water supply is soft and acidic (Ph about 6.8), I don't like playing around with the Ph so that rules out Africans. Ideally I'd like to keep some medium sized (5" to 7") american cichlids.

I've done a little bit of research and these are the ones I like (and can get a hold of): Firemouth, Rainbow, Festivum, Port Acara and Salvini (too aggressive?).

1. Can I keep these together (1 of each species)?
2. If I can what size (gallons, length) tank would you recommend to accomodate them plus dither fish and clean-up crew?
3. If these can't be kept together can you suggest others?

Thanks.

I'd skip the Salvini, but the others should work. You could also think about spinosisimus, honduran red points, sajica. Nicaraguense get a little bigger (the males anyway), and might be a little more aggressive than the others. Depending on how many fish you want, you could probably get away with a 75g as a minimum size and work upward (by increasing footprint area, not height).

 

[TropicalNorth]

I thought the Salvini wouldn't work but thought I'd ask anyway. I'll do a bit of research on the others you mentioned. I'd like to have 5 cichlids in the 5"-7", would that number suit a 75G?

Thanks.

 

[rmcder]

You'd be pushing it slightly, but if the fish aren't too aggressive you'd probably be ok (but skip the nic). If you can put them in together at about the same size that would improve your chances. Otherwise, the acara and firemouth will get the biggest, so put them in last, and they could be smaller than the others to start. Of the fish in your list (and mine), the most worrisome would also be the firemouth and acara. Everyone else as a single would be ok - oh, and don't do a honduran AND a sajica since they could breed. Also, you can certainly add keyholes and angels to the list.

My recommendation would be rainbow (very active and nice yellow coloring - or you could try to find one of the orange ones), honduran (nice personality and blue coloring - males have red fins with the blue), festivum (I never cared for the coloring, but they would hang out farther up in the tank more like angels.), keyhole (REALLY mild disposition that'll go with anything), spino (ditto the keyhole and with a purplish coloration). All of these stay small and aren't demons in the tank. Angels can get big, but I'd find them more interesting than festivum myself. The acara and firemouth are the wild cards in this scenario; they're nice looking, but the firemouth is likely to stir up some trouble at times. I'm just not sure about the acara; never had one, but they aren't supposed to be too bad in terms of aggression.

 

[liv2padl]

some mild mannered (for cichlids) species i'd highly recommend, that would fit in a 75:

definitely forget salvini ... far too aggressive.

 

[TropicalNorth]

I'm going to keep researching (and convincing LOL) but you've given me some good info to start from. Thanks.

 

[coupedefleur]

"Ports" can be a lot of different species.