Chocolate Cichlid

[Paulbearer]

Hi, just joined from MFK and decided that I might post here to get some more input, the more the better I'm almost done with this 180 build and finally see the light at the end of the rainbow. I'm really set on having a Chocolate Cichlid or 2 in the tank and looking for tankmates to go with them. I really would like another good size cichlid (or 2) to go with them and maybe a good schooling fish (not silver dollars).

Give me your thoughts on tankmates or the mix you would think might work:

1-2 Chocolate Cichlids (must)
polleni (really want one)

Salvini
Vieja Syn.
Rokteil Severum
Red Severum
Uaru
bocourti
Firemouth


School:
Tiger Barbs (15-25)
Black Tetra (15-25)
Buenos Areas (10-20)
Tinfoil Barb (2-4)
Giant Danios (8-15)


Just trying to get this planned out and wanting to get some input...and no i don't want all those shools, just one

 

[Lab_Rat]

Your 180 sounds a lot like the one I'm planning. Not sure if the polleni is mellow enough to go with your list, haven't kept one. I did have a salvini in my mix and it was fine for a while but got too aggressive for the cichlids in my tank.

For a schooling fish, I'm going to do some roselines and am still figuring out what else. Chocolates are really mellow so if it doesn't fit in it's mouth it should be fine.

 

[Paulbearer]

If I get a polleni it will be just a single one and same with the sal, I prefer to not try and get a breading pair to watch them push the 6 foot tank down to 1 foot and they take over the rest I do realize chocolates are very mellow, i'm a avid fish keeper and have been keeping them for 30+ years, but always like to get others input. We are all in the hobby together and it's nice to chat with others and get different ideals.

 

[Lab_Rat]

Yeah, I love my chocolates, I've got one H. temporalis and one H. coryphaenoides (I think, it looks very different than the temporalis). They're such great fish. Do you already have the chocolates?

 

[Paulbearer]

Yeah, I love my chocolates, I've got one H. temporalis and one H. coryphaenoides (I think, it looks very different than the temporalis). They're such great fish. Do you already have the chocolates?

No, the tank is not up yet (if you click my sig you will see the build). I should have it done within the next month and wanted to go ahead and plan ahead for a stocking list to figure out if I can get them locally or have to order online. The school fish will be easy to get in store, but the chocolate and others will probably have to be ordered online to get good fish like I want.

 

[Lab_Rat]

Sweet looking stand! It's very unique.

 

[Paulbearer]

Sweet looking stand! It's very unique.

Thank you, should be done with it in the next few weeks and will be glad to finally get it up and going.