cichlid assistance needed

A

amyv

Registered Member
Jul 12, 2005
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My husband has a tank at his work, I think it is 60 gallon, I know that it is 12 inches wide, it housed a Pacu and two cichlids, the Pacu has just been moved out today to a much bigger tank and he wants to add more fish to the tank he has. The problem is we are not sure what the cichlids are. He knows they are about 4 inches long. How much digging do we need to do to determine what they are or is there a recomendation of what we can add to the tank just based on their size? I am not very familiar with the cichlid species myself.

Any help or advise would be appreciated.

Thanks, Amy
 
Start looking at the fish profiles offered here. Then do a google, or whater search engine works for your, on cichlids. Post a picture of what they look like. a recomendation just based on size is not the answer. To get an idea of the size of the tank we need more than just the width.

Also, be aware that a pacu gets to be one VERY VERY VERY big fish!
 
I did some more digging last night and stopped by two different LFS, the tank is figured to be 50 gallons, one of the cichlids appears to be a Texas Cichlid but the other one is a little more hard to figure out. I searched here and far and couldn't find anything that looks like it, I would try taking a picture of it when it isn't hiding but the aquarium doesn't have any lights on it and I am affraid the picture wouldn't come out well. I can tell you that the mystery cichlid is the same shape as the Texas and it has three black dots on its body, one at his gills, one about mid body and on at his tail, they look like they are in a straight line. he is a tan color with what almost look like silver coloring on his scales. I will continue to search and see if I can come up with anything.

The Pacu has moved to his new home - a 185 gallon tank where he is adjusting well.

Amy
 
50 gallon is too small for most South and Central American Cichlids, I suggest you find the Texas cichlid a better and larger home. Find out what is the other cichlid, and depending what it is keep it or find it another home.

If you still want Cichlids I suggest you go with Convicts or Firemouths, or switch to African Cichlids.

And note that Black Pacus get 60" (min 500 gallons) and Red Pacus get to be 24" (min 180 gallon).
 
Unfortunately, even the 180 gallon tank will prove too small for the Pacu. That's one fish that should never be sold in the aquarium hobby. Given the size....I have a Red Pacu that is 36" long, 7" thick and weighs 22 pounds. One of the little known facts is that the fish can live a very long time. The Black Pacu is know to live 30 years. The red somewhere right behind.

I agree that befoe you buy Cichlids,you whould reserach their potential size and temperment. Good luck with youf fish, Amy. If you post the picture, I will be more than happy to take a shot identifying it.

MoJo
 
I don't think 50 gallons is too small for a Texas cichlid by any means. The problem as I see it is that the medium sized CA and SA cichlid don't really make good community fish. They do best in tanks by themselves, or just themselves and a mate. Maybe some medium sized catfish (porthole catfish)to add some depth to the tank would work. Or trade them in for some "dwarf" species that can be mixed with schools of tetras, and cories.

Keyhole cichlids
Apistogramma sp.
bolivian rams
blue rams
nanacaras
 
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