New Cichlid Tank

[Ferris]

Hi all,

I would like to set up a Cichlid Tank and would really appreciate some advice on compatible fish. I have purchased and setup a 4ft deep tank which holds approx 48 gallons (UK). At the moment, I have 1 sailfin Plec, 3 Clown loaches and 1 Silver shark in this tank. The decor of the tank is based on rocks with plenty of hiding places, a power filter and 1 large airstone with, both with adjustable flow.

The information I have obtained so far indicates that the CL's and the plec will be fine with medium sized Cichlids but I am unsure as to the SS.

I intend to buy juvenile Cichlids and let them grow with the above mentioned tank mates (who are also juveniles) and I thought I would buy only 1 of each Cichlid as i do not wish to breed them and I would like to avoid the agressiveness of brooding parents. Is this a good/practicle idea?

I would also appreciate some examples of compatible Cichlids for this setup (common names please, not Latin). I like Firemouths so any suggestions for fish compatible with them would also help.

Thanks in advance to anyone who replies.

 

[G_Sharky]

Firemouth is a good choice as well as Severums(Gold or green), Angels, flag cichlid , rainbow cichlid.... theres a whole bunch but go to fishprofiles.com to check out all the species...

 

[Ferris]

Thanks for the info and for the link. That website is extremely useful. Anyone who reads this, check it out if you haven't already.

 

[EX-AmP]

how wide is ur tank? if its decent you can keep decent sized fish in there. if i could i think i would put a JD and some cons or firemouths. your shark would probably be eaten and your pleco may have its fins ripped a bit. loaches are survivors and will hide if neccesary. gl man

 

[missyintx_99]

If you want to go with a firemouth, then look at the severums or maybe even a green terror. I have all three amongst others and they should get along just fine. The only cichlids I have that I would not put with what you've already got in there are the Texas, Jag, Oscar or Blackbelt. The ones I have are more aggressive towards other tankmates. I have a Jack Dempsey that is out-of-this-world gorgeous and gets along just fine with the other tankmates (He live with my Oscar, Green Severum and a Pink Convict.)
Firemouths can be somewhat aggressive. Mine doesn't get along with the Blackbelt that lives in the same tank. Nor does he get along with the other firemouth I have. I don't think I would try keeping a firemouth with Angels. From what I've seen in my tanks, the firemouth is just way too aggressive for angels. A possible combo would be a Severum with Angels, but once the Sev gets bigger I would be concerned since a Sev is more aggressive than an Angel.

If you really like the firemouth, consider the Sev or Green Terror. In a tank the size of the one you've got, you could do the firemouth with one of those and be good.
Good luck!

 

[Doggfather]

picked anything?

 

[CFC]

I must say i wouldnt recomend green terrors for a tank with clown loaches, clowns are just not built for punishment and being a already shy and skittish fish living with a aggressive cichlid would stress them no end.
Firemouths are generally a peacful species but every now and again you do get a aggressive one, if you get one that is small and let it grow up with the fish you already have it should be ok, the severums would also be a good choice. Others you could try are festivums, blue acaras, angelfish, geophagus or satanoperca species (earth eaters) or one of the many dwarf varieties of Appistogramma or Pelvachromis (kribensis etc).

 

[David_1475]

Hey, I've got a 4ft tank with 2 Severums (male and female), 2 Blue acaras (male and female, just started breeding), 2 Keyholes, and 3 Clown Loaches. I haven't had any major problems with any of them. The only problem with this set up is that there isnt much else I can add (cichlid wise) as the Acaras are too aggresive for wimpy fish, and the severums are to soft for bullies. I HIGHLY recommend at least one Severum. Amazingly good pet. Good luck