Ideas on tankmates for these cichlids?

rosita

rosita

Here
Jan 11, 2006
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Cape Fear River Basin
Hi folks. I need some help; posted this on another site and got nothing.
Here's the pitch: I'm finally upgrading to a 180g, 6ft.x2ft.x27inches. I have a 55g that's been up for a year and a half; been growing out:
1 Green Severum (7")
1 BGK (7")
1 female JD 3.5"
and a Malagascy P.Polleni, 6", who doesn't fit the SA theme here, but he's an awesome fish, and can reach up to 14".
My question is: any ideas as to what additional cichlids might help balance out the visual differences in these fish? I was thinking another Severum, but I consider myself still fairly new to the hobby. For all I know, another JD might make it work. I know another BGK won't work, and the Polleni are not only more difficult to find, but a mated pair will destroy other life, and two of same gender . . . ???
Thanks alot for any help/advice.
I'll be getting the tank in May.:dance2:
 
Rather than add more cichlids, I would suggest you think about a school of silver dollars or other large schooling fish (rainbows, etc.). They will help keep the cichlids you already have distracted, and minimize territorial conflicts.
 
honestly, you can fit all those and more in a 180. if you do decide to breed some polleni's. then there might be issues in that tank. i dunno about you question regarding balancing out visual differences. can you be more specific?

with you stock list now the polleni IMO will be your most aggro fish in there. and it gets the largest. sevs and jacks max out at 8+. so i deffinatly wouldn't add another polleni. you prolly can add more sevs, and maybe firemouths, i'd be conserned with adding more jacks, if they breed.

what medium sized cichlids do you have aval at LFS's near you? or online ordering, what do you want?

the possiblities might be endless. i would however stay away from any of the more aggressive species, like reddevil, midas, red terror, ect. 1 green terror might work, but these also can be nasty mean.
 
Harry Tolen said:
Rather than add more cichlids, I would suggest you think about a school of silver dollars or other large schooling fish (rainbows, etc.). They will help keep the cichlids you already have distracted, and minimize territorial conflicts.
Click to expand...

also keep this in mind, you will probably want some SD's in there for visual breakage. and for the cichlids to chase around, if they want.
 
Thanks for your responses.
I've been thinking some Silver Dollars might be good dithers; at least I'm on the right track!
I'm not interested in breeding at all, with any of the species. There are some highly qualified people breeding a variety of Malagascy species, and from what I've found out from other folks who have them, they even beat up on one another unmercifully, often to the death!!! Just having the one is plenty for me. And as I said, breeding Jacks would be more of the same; a Sev and Black Ghost probably wouldn't survive.
In terms of visual balance, I watch these fish and imagine them in a large tank, just the four, with some dithers and maybe sydontis. It's a diverse group in terms of appearance, but now, as I think with a quiet mind, they'll actually work quite well together. Don't want Grand Central Station, so I think I may just stick with them.
 
SDs, syds and FM.
 
If you are getting a tank that big, get a black shark, more than capable of withstanding an attack from any size cichlid and a spectacular fish when it reaches its full size of 24 inches.
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a school of SDs is the bomb.
 
I added 4 red hook SD in with my 2 O's and 2 Plecos in a 180 and they are awsome!!!! The oscars don't bother with them but there big enough that when they swim by the SD's the SD's take off in a nice formation. It's really cool to watch and because of the same reason they always stay together.
Might i add to that you need to make sure the top of the tank is covered because they sometimes get scared and swim like theres no tomorrow.
I would highly recommened SD and if it's in your budget grab the red hook ones to add some colour.
ciao for now
 
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