NeoTropCichSelFAQs

Featured
Sponsor:

FAQs on Neotropical Cichlid Selection

Central American Cichlid community 8/6/07
I am sending this in order to get advise about a community of fish I would like to put in a tank. I am considering buying at the most seven fish. 3 parrots, 2 spotted puffers, 1 flower horn, an a Pleco and maybe a jack Dempsey (if possible) and a few silver dollars. I plan to put them in maybe a 75 gallon tank or 100. Could you please send me something in return about advise on this community, tank size or maybe another setup of fish. Thank you.
>>>Greetings, Jim here.
You need at least a 135 gallon tank to keep the fish you've named long term, and I'd forget the puffers, they don't mix well with large, aggressive cichlids. I'm not a fan of hybridized cichlids, and your advice will reflect this...if I were you I'd select a few of the myriad legitimate species out there and build yourself I nice, medium sized Central American cichlid community.
Too many to start naming species, but you want some specific advice in this regard, I'd be happy to help you when you've decided on tank size.
Regards
Jim<<<

29 gallon American cichlid setup? 3/7/07
Hello, I got a 29gal with heater, filter, hood, and stand. I was going to set up a mainly Central American cichlid tank. I know I can’t do a lot but will this work?
> this list of cichlids I could think of I will pick 2 different ones:
-firemouth
-rainbow cichlid
-sajica
-port Acara
-salvini
-jewel cichlid (African)
-krib
-convict
So I would have 2 or 3 cichlids.
Plus I would add a few tetras, barbs, or danios for dithers/targets.
Will thus work, I need advice on what combinations you think would work, or any other smaller Central American cichlids that would. I do not want pairs for some diversity. Thanks
<If you really want the tetras and barbs you need to go with dwarf cichlids like the krib with a ram or curviceps cichlid. All the others will eventually catch and kill the others. If the dither fish are not important then go with the rainbow cichlid and the sajica.-Chuck>

Central America cichlid Tank set Up 2/28/07
Hi my name is frank
In the future I plan on getting a 125 gal tank for Central American cichlids.
I have 2 questions.
1:- My future 125 gal tank I was thinking:
1 jack Dempsey the main fish I want)
1 convict
1 salvini
1 fire mouth
1 fish that is about the same size and aggression level as the jack Dempsey.
I was thinking like a Green terror, a Texas or some thing.
Can you help me figure out what fish similar to the jack Dempsey would be compatible also can I add another smaller cichlid to this setup?
<A male Texas cichlid or Green terror would work.>
I can not get this tank for a little while. I have an old 29 gal tank that I use to keep some Africans in. I was wondering if I could keep a couple smaller Central Americans in it so I can get use to them. water conditions, personality. etc..) I don't want a lot in the 29 gal just something I could practice with before I go bigger so I know what to expect. I was just wondering which ones would work and how many? ps I don't want breeding in either of my tanks....Thanks
< Get a firemouth. He will be the least aggressive of all the fish on your list.-Chuck>

Cichlid selection help. Central American Cichlid Recommendations 2/20/07
I am going to buy a 100gal maybe a 125gal tank and I don't know what I can do
with it. I have an idea I don't know if it will work or if I will have enough
room.
I would like:
1 jack Dempsey
1 fish of similar size to the jack (red/green terror)?
1 convict
1 fire mouth
a few smaller fish of the same species
When it comes to the fish of similar size to the jack i am not sure what would work. Your advice would be appreciated
thanks..
<Go with the convict, firemouth, female jack Dempsey, jewelfish( I know this comes from Africa but will still go along well with these fish), salvini, rainbow cichlid, or a combination of any of the above. Keep in mind if these fish pair up and spawn then they will take over a large portion of the tank to raise their fry.-Chuck>

Setting Up A Cichlid Tank 9/25/06
Hello, I have a few things that I would like to get your advice on.  I was given a 55 gallon tank and had been planning on putting some goldfish, dojo
loaches and zebra danios in it, but after keeping fish for a while these seem somewhat mundane.
<I agree.>
I was wondering if a 55 gallon would be too small for keeping some cichlids in.  I know something like an Oscar would be too big, but what about Green Terrors
< Too big.>
, Firemouths
<Ok>
or Jack Dempseys?
< Males get big.>
I don't really want to breed any of these fish, because I wouldn't know what to do with the fry, but I know they are beautiful and have interesting
personalities when compared to most other fish.  How many of these fish would be okay in a 55 gallon tank?  And what sort of tank mates would be
compatible with these cichlids (keeping in mind not to overcrowd).  Thank you for your help. Matt
< As long as the fish are not paired up then you could have quite a few potential candidates. One firemouth, convict, jewelfish, blue Acara, black Acara would go together just to get started. There are many convict and firemouth like cichlids from Central America. Do a google search on Archocentrus and Thorichthys to see some of these other species. Keep in mind that I think almost all of these fish will cross with each other so try and get all the same sex. You could probably keep six or seven of these in a 55 gallon with good filtration and regular water changes.-Chuck>

Big Cichlid tank stkg.
Hello, I am trying to come up with a possible stock list to fill a 96x48x36 (720gallon) aquarium in my basement. The tank is up and running and currently being cycled. I have had experience with cichlid keeping but nothing on this scale. I will be purchasing all of these fish as juveniles hoping it to be their permanent home. Please review this list and let me know what you think. I had the company install a very efficient filtration system. It is a completely automated system rated up to 2000 gallon aquaria. (DialySeas Model 1 and CADS) So I hope filtration won't be an issue. Will this tank be adequate for such a list? Will these fish co-exist together? Thank you for your time and your expertise. I'm sure I will be reviewing your FAQ's
frequently in the future, as I am installing two more 300 gallon aquariums on the side walls of this room. The 720 will be the centerpiece. I guess the only trouble then will be leaving this room. Any help is appreciated. Pictures are coming soon, but after inhabitants are introduced. The list is as follows: Main Cichlid Inhabitants: Convict (1), Firemouths (5), Salvini (1), Nicaraguan (1),Texas (1), Grammode (1), Red Terror (female) (1), Friedrichstahlii (1), Cuban (1),Vieja Synspilum (1), Vieja Zonatus (1), Vieja Argentea (1), Vieja maculicauda (1), Green Terror (1), Snook (1)Schooling Fish: Red Hook Silver $$$ school (12-15),Others< L-18 Gold Nugget Pleco (1), L025 Scarlet Pleco (1), Jello Band Catfish [Aguarunichthys torosus] (1), Merodontotus Tigrinus (1),Thanks,Tristan Johnson,
< Your fish selection basically have all the same water requirements. The smaller cichlids, convicts, firemouths and salvini will do OK until the others begin to outgrow them. The catfish and snook will eat the smaller fish as soon as they are able to fit them into their mouths. Aggressive fish like the grammodes, red terror, Cuban and friedrichstahli will eventually beat up the other fish and then each other. Getting enough food to all the fish, especially the catfish will be a challenge because all the silver dollars will not allow too much to reach the bottom.-Chuck>

Jellybean Cichlid 11/01/03
<Hi, Pufferpunk here>
I'd like to get information as to the longevity, hardiness, etc. on Jelly Bean Cichlids. I'm getting ready to put a tank in my house and was considering using several of these fish to stock it. The only info I could find about them states that they have stunted growth and short life spans due to the "dying" process they go through. Can you help?
<You're info is correct. These are parrot cichlids that are injected w/dye. Most serious fishkeepers would never consider buying one of these fish. It is cruel & definitely shortens the lifespan of the fish. Also the dye wears off anyway. I have a gorgeous parrot cichlid. She is about 5". She is very aggressive & chases the frontosa that lives w/her. (Can't really sex them, but I call it a her.) She lives in a 50g tank. I wouldn't keep one (adult) in less than a 30g. Although they have seemingly deformed mouths & can't really bite, they still need to be w/equally aggressive fish. Also due the fact that they can't really open their mouth, you need to make sure it gets enough food.>
Thanks,
Linda
<You're welcome!--Pufferpunk>

Schooling Texas cichlids?
Hello,
I'm trying to learn if my stocking idea is feasible... I have 125 gal (6 foot long) tank currently inhabited by an 18" gibbiceps, 7" Raphael catfish, 3" green terror juvie, 2" female convict, about 20 green Corys and 4 Barbus filamentosus. Somewhere I've heard the Texas cichlid is a schooling fish, and I'm wondering if adding 3-4 would possibly work in my tank?
< All cichlid fry are somewhat of a schooling fish until they mature and get ready to breed. At about two or three inches they will start to pair off and no longer school.>
While I wouldn't like to, I could possibly remove the convict to another tank, and again, if I had to I suppose I could give the green terror to the LFS as it's still quite small I'm sure they'd happily take him/her back. I'd rather keep everyone, though. What do you think? If Texas cichlid isn't a good option, could you recommend another CA/SA cichlid of good size, 8-10" and colorful that could cohabitate somewhat peacefully with conspecifics? I don't mind a little natural aggression, I just don't want my fish living in a constant war zone! Thanks, Jennifer
< When dealing with central and South American cichlids it is possible to get some fairly non-aggressive cichlids to get along in a big tank. Look at the chocolate cichlid, Heros severum, festivum and all of the Geophagus types.-Chuck>

Big cichlids (mixed neotropicals)
I have a new tank set up and it has well water in it. I measured the hardness and it is ~28 DH. I know this is very hard and I also have the tank filled with large pieces of limestone rock to make crevices and caves. I currently have a med/lg firemouth cichlid and some Gouramis but I want to add more central American cichlids to the mix. The tank is a 110 high and definitely has adequate filtration. 2 power filters rated to clean tanks up to 100 gallons each and a canister filter rated to clean tanks up to 150 gallons keep the water very clean. DO you have any suggestions?
<Maybe to blend in a bit of not-so-hard water... the Firemouths (Thorichthys meeki) are better in water of about 10 dH... and likely a lower pH (6.5-7.5) than you have>
I was thinking about a pair of Jaguar cichlids, and some more firemouths. Also some Salvini cichlids. Would these all work?
<Mmm, actually... the "Jaguar Guapote" species, Parachromis managuensis, though a real beauty is much too much larger, more aggressive for keeping with Firemouths, Salvinis... Do check out the maximum sizes (63 cm. for the Jaguar) on fishbase.org among other references... I would settle on one or the other... easier going or not species here>
Thanks so much for all your help and hard work over the years!!
<You are welcome my friend. Bob Fenner>

Hybridized, modified Cichlids
Hi Bob
<Hey Perry>
Yes it is weird. I think Flowerhorn enthusiasts in
Asia keep wanting to see something new. Here is a link
to a really brilliant red FH
http://arofanatics.com/members/buggy/mycollectionofluohans/
It kind of reminds me of what we have done to the
Discus.
<Good comparison. At least Symphysodon have all their fins (at this point). Bob Fenner>
Perry

Weird Cichlid Wins Kewpie Prize, News at 11:00
Hi Bob
There was a Flowerhorn show in Singapore last week. Remember the picture of the Flowerhorn that suffered from a genetic defect and did not have a fully developed caudal fin? Well, somehow it made its way to the final round and won a consolation prize!!
<Bizarre... maybe if I cut my legs off I'll get the babes? Bob F>
Perry

News on aquarium trade in the east. Better Cichlid Crosses than Parrots!
Hi Bob
<Hey Perry>
Here is a link to an article in a local paper http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/life/story/0,1870,122497,00.html?
Its about the latest craze in town - Flowerhorns. Are they well received in the States? I was told there are already some shops in the LA area that are selling them. I am also aware that there are some quarters who call these hybrids monsters. At US$1000 for some beautifully colored ones very few people can resist the temptation to breed them.
<Amazing. Did see a bunch of these last year at Aquarama when we were visiting with you in Singapore. And did solicit about for what this cichlid cross actually was/is: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/neotropcichlids.htm
Be seeing, hopefully diving, photographing underwater with you soon. Bob Fenner>
Regards
Perry

The most unethical and most disgusting LH breed (Neotropical Cichlid Genetic drift)
Hi Bob
U really need to take a look at this fish. What do u
think happened?
<This is not an uncommon genetic defect... but bizarre that people might exploit same for commercial gain. Bob Fenner>
Perry
> Reply-to: flowerhorn@yahoogroups.com
http://hualorhan.tripod.com/
> I urge, even if you like LH/FH, this breed is to be
> avoided.
> This fish is very pitiful, cannot even swim
> properly.
> These are the kind of breeders I personally feel
> should be
> prosecuted for being so cruel.
> This fish is so hideous that it is not funny
> anymore.
> It is worst than other LH which look more like real
> fishes.
> It's like having children without legs.

Featured Sponsors:

Amazon Honor System