Can someone tell me about Blockhead cichlids.

[zachjohnson65]

I was looking at Cichlid forum.com and noticed that they have a cookie cutter 20L Gallon set up for a pair of Blockhead cichlids and a few tetras. I read that they stay toward the bottom and move simular to gobies. has anyone kept these fish and is 15-20 gallons enough? Thanks in advance

 

[Star_Rider]

is it Steatocranus casuarius aka blockhead aka buffalo cichild?

if so they are suppose to get to 4.5" are a river fish and prefer fast moving water. their temperament is peaceful(supposedly)

I would suggest a larger tank than a 15-20..tho the fish may get by with a 20long.

I would suggest a 30G tank.

 

[Lupin]

A 15 to 20 may not be able to accomplish the powerful currents needed. The larger the tank the better. Length is much more important than the height.

 

[zachjohnson65]

Thanks for the input. So a 33 long would work well right. I have also seen that keeping pairs is recommended but my LFS always only gets males(with humps). So would to do? What else can i keep with them?

 

[Ruben Tolon]

I've found them to be more aggressive than usually stated by "species profiles", but only in that they tend to defend themselves well against larger fish.

 

[zachjohnson65]

Aggressive in the normal cichlid fashion? How about in a species tank. I was thinking of a 33L river setup with maybe some smaller dither fish. If you keep these fish do you have a pair? Can i keep 2 males together or will this make aggression worse?

 

[Ruben Tolon]

I'd keep it in a pair, with some dithers, but stay away from two males.

 

[zachjohnson65]

Thanks i guess i will keep searching for a pair.

 

[Lupin]

Giant danios often make good dithers. Good luck.

 

[ddp3]

what is the best diet fir these cichlids