ONE Cichlid for 55 Gallon?
- Thread starter SftWrmRain
- Start date
The problem is that you started off wanting one fish and have gone back and forth. Any of the fish that will make a grand display in a 55 are going to get at least 10-12 inches. You also said that you wanted something that could go with your 8.0 pH. That rules out most CA/SA cichlids as that is not a comfortable pH for them.
A 55 isn't too small for a trio of frontosas. Unless you're planning on buying a larger size trio for lots of cash, that's not even an issue. Frontosas don't grow that fast. That's why they are so expensive as larger fish. It will take close to two years or more to grow young fronts to 6"-8". They get to be 14" in the WILD, not in the aquarium.
If you want something really interesting and unique looking, go with one male and 2-5 female compressiceps. There's about 4 or 5 different color strains that I know of. Fire fins or gold heads are what I plan on getting.
http://images.google.com/images?q=a....microsoft:en-US&um=1&sa=X&oi=images&ct=title
A 55 isn't too small for a trio of frontosas. Unless you're planning on buying a larger size trio for lots of cash, that's not even an issue. Frontosas don't grow that fast. That's why they are so expensive as larger fish. It will take close to two years or more to grow young fronts to 6"-8". They get to be 14" in the WILD, not in the aquarium.
If you want something really interesting and unique looking, go with one male and 2-5 female compressiceps. There's about 4 or 5 different color strains that I know of. Fire fins or gold heads are what I plan on getting.
http://images.google.com/images?q=a....microsoft:en-US&um=1&sa=X&oi=images&ct=title
I haven't gone back and forth - I originally wanted a single grandiose fish, yes, but said I could be persuaded to go several different directions. I still haven't decided on anything, but am enjoying the different ideas. I have spent a great deal of time researching most of them, unless I simply didn't like the way the suggested fish looked.
I DO want a fish compatible with my natural pH, but don't have enough cichlid knowledge to know which those are before I look them up, when people have suggested them. I don't think I have seriously considered any fish not compatible with my pH.
I appreciate this advice, however, I think the thought of 32 inches of fish (m-12in, 2 fe-10in) in my 55 sounds like too much to me, especially with lots of rock work. I do think that it could be a possibility to keep one front, though. They are magnificent fish, and have a pleasant and likable personality, from what I have read.
No apologies necessary!! We're all human (I think!)!!
visualeyes2 said:
So you're saying a good mix would be one kenyi with one red zebra or a lemon mel?
sploke said:
Thank you for the suggestions and the pictures! Awesome! I'll look into these guys as well.
jm1212- I don't necessarily dislike firemouths, but they don't "grab" me so much, you know? You never know though - they've been suggested a couple times, so I won't rule them out. Thanks for the suggestion!
severums need a lower ph than 8.0 dont they? dont most american cichlids need softer acidic water?
i could say get a really colorful african (like a demasoni african cichlid)
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=1663
you could have one male and several females.. the male would stand out more and be your main fish, but the females would be pretty too (and keep him from getting cranky) this way you could have several fish that look similar, but still one really pretty main fish to catch your eye.
also, with a set up like this, they may breed, in which case you can watch the mommy fish take care of the baby fish.. its so cute!
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=1663
you could have one male and several females.. the male would stand out more and be your main fish, but the females would be pretty too (and keep him from getting cranky) this way you could have several fish that look similar, but still one really pretty main fish to catch your eye.
also, with a set up like this, they may breed, in which case you can watch the mommy fish take care of the baby fish.. its so cute!
Uaru like 8.0 pH?
Fronts wouldn't work with lots of rockwork anyway. They are deepwater fish and require mostly open water in a tank.
Fronts wouldn't work with lots of rockwork anyway. They are deepwater fish and require mostly open water in a tank.
most captive bred fish will readily adapt to a pH as long as its not extreme (less than 5, more than 9). plus, you can add driftwood to the tank to lower the pH; uaru are also known to nibble at driftwood every now and again.
