ONE Cichlid for 55 Gallon?

Here's what I'm thinking right now, after a lot of research yesterday and still this morning. Frontosas are beautiful, and I was leaning that direction until I discovered that a 55 would really be on the small side for him to feel truly comfortable, once rock placement and other decor was added.

Green Terrors - are they really GREEN? I have seen many pictures and most depict them as somewhat muted, pale, and even white looking. If I'm going to stock with only one (type) of fish, I really want it to be striking. Same with the firemouth - are they mostly grey with a little orange at the bottom?

Visualeyes - I appreciate your point of view and I am tending at this point to agree with you. I do believe I'll be adding at least a pair, if not more. At the same time, everything I've read says Oscars are grow too large for a 55.

I looked at the pikes, and didn't find them to be the style of fish I think I want. They are thin and sort of colorless, when I want big, flashy, and full of color.

I am currently looking into two similar but different types of fish:

pseudotropheus saulosi, and pseudotropheus lombardoi (kenyi).

If anyone has opinions on either of these fish, or personal experience, please share and keep the opinions coming!

P.S. I meant to add that I love the way the EBJD looks. I'm looking into this fish too right now. Do you all find that the color is pretty uniform throughout the community, or does it vary depending on breeder? What about once in the tank? Does it fade over time for you all, or get brighter?
 
Last edited:
SftWrmRain said:
I meant to add that I love the way the EBJD looks. I'm looking into this fish too right now. Do you all find that the color is pretty uniform throughout the community, or does it vary depending on breeder? What about once in the tank? Does it fade over time for you all, or get brighter?
Click to expand...

Have a look at this thread - has all the answers you need, plus 2 people's photo diaries of the colour morphs during maturity.
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=147746

Just please don't mix American cichlids with African one's - different diets, aggressive behaviour and water chemistry. It's either one or the other continent.
 
pugwash said:
Have a look at this thread - has all the answers you need, plus 2 people's photo diaries of the colour morphs during maturity.
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=147746

Just please don't mix American cichlids with African one's - different diets, aggressive behaviour and water chemistry. It's either one or the other continent.
Click to expand...

A VERY good thread to read! Thank you for sharing! I definitely won't mix American and African cichlids. I'm doing all the research before buying and even before I create the environment for the fish, so I can customize it exactly as I want it, to give the fish the best possible captive life.

Thank you for warning me though - I wish more people would be concerned for the quality of life of their fish.
 
pugwash said:
What about a nice male EBJD? Not much can rival them visually from the CA world.

fish_profiles_octofaciatus_blue3.jpg
Click to expand...

wow! nice pic! that would be a good choice! i have to apologize for suggesting to put an oscar in a 55 long term and retract that suggestion. i was wrong. mine is in a 90, and he is really happy, but a 55 would only be big enough for a shorter term. sorry about the bad advice.
 
SftWrmRain said:
Visualeyes - I appreciate your point of view and I am tending at this point to agree with you. I do believe I'll be adding at least a pair, if not more. At the same time, everything I've read says Oscars are grow too large for a 55.
Click to expand...

once again, i apologize for suggesting to put an oscar in a 55 long term and retract that suggestion. that was bad advice on my part. i'm sorry. you would need at least a 75 long term. apologies.
 
SftWrmRain said:
I am currently looking into two similar but different types of fish:

pseudotropheus saulosi, and pseudotropheus lombardoi (kenyi).

If anyone has opinions on either of these fish, or personal experience, please share and keep the opinions coming!
Click to expand...

i have both of those fish in my tanks! kenyii are very pretty and aggressive, as with most african cichlids their colors come out more if they are the dominant one in the tank, males have more color than females. if you put two baby kenyii in there together, it is likely that the stronger one will become male and the weaker will become female as they are all female at birth, and the dominant ones become male....thank God humans aren't this way! anyway, the saulosi are very similar to the kenyii in looks, but have stripes that are not as well defined and pronounced. if i had to pick one or the other i would go with the kenyi. also, it is likely that you will have a much easier time finding the kenyi than the saulosi. in my humble personal opinion, i would consider pairing the kenyi with something of a different color, like a red zebra (orange) or a lemon mel. they are a striking yellow with black highlights. hope this helps!
 
How about a pair of gold severums or the rotkeil sevs, the ones with lots of red on them. Really nice fish, and a pair would do well in a 55. You could probably even do a school of larger tetras as well, the sevs don't tend to be overly aggressive.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom