160L!

[BadBadger]

I've already posted in discussion, but thought it would be better to post here.
My new tank is approximately 160L (dimensions are 36" length, 20" high, 15" depth at the bottom and 12" depth at the top), and im wanting to have a go at keeping some of the larger cichlids (if my tanks big enough).

Just wondering what any of you would do with this tank?

I know very little about new world cichlids. Theres a lot that i like the look of (Green Terror, Jack Dempsey, Oscars...), but what i do know is, my tanks no where near big enough

What can i keep in here?!?!

Thankyou

 

[mattlee]

how about some of the smaller cichlids like t-bars, rainbows, firemouths, salvinis, electric blue JD..... there are lots of small cichlids around but i think it would be pushing it to have anything of 6 inch or over in it. angels might work but i see you already have some in another tank!

 

[kizno1]

All of the cichlids you named will get to big but there are still some great looking fish that will work in a tank that size.
Not all of these are common but if you look around you can find them and there defiantly worth the struggle
Red breasted acara/Laetacara dorsigera
Dwarf flag cichlids/Laetacara curviceps
Keyhole cichlids/Cleithracara maronii
Cupid Cichlid/Biotodoma cupido
Biotodoma wavrini
Geophagus iporangensis
The last 3 suggestions all need to be in groups of 4+. I personally would go for the Geos because there such stunning fish and with 4+ theres the chance of fry.

 

[mattlee]

with exception of the firemouths all the fish listed dont get over 6 inch max and would be fine in that size tank. obviously dont fill it with them but a pair or trio would be fine. i guess it depends what the op wants... either a com tank or a species tank.

 

[kizno1]

how about some of the smaller cichlids like t-bars, rainbows, firemouths, salvinis, electric blue JD..... there are lots of small cichlids around but i think it would be pushing it to have anything of 6 inch or over in it. angels might work but i see you already have some in another tank!

EBJDs get 8" so would be to big for a 160L IMO. I wouldnt put them in anything under 200L

 

[mattlee]

how about some of the smaller cichlids like t-bars, rainbows, firemouths, salvinis, electric blue JD..... there are lots of small cichlids around but i think it would be pushing it to have anything of 6 inch or over in it. angels might work but i see you already have some in another tank!

EBJDs get 8" so would be to big for a 160L IMO. I wouldnt put them in anything under 200L

yeah maybe the ebjd would be too big. for some reason i thought they were smaller than the regular jd. but the others would be fine in that tank

 

[kizno1]

how about some of the smaller cichlids like t-bars, rainbows, firemouths, salvinis, electric blue JD..... there are lots of small cichlids around but i think it would be pushing it to have anything of 6 inch or over in it. angels might work but i see you already have some in another tank!

EBJDs get 8" so would be to big for a 160L IMO. I wouldnt put them in anything under 200L

yeah maybe the ebjd would be too big. for some reason i thought they were smaller than the regular jd. but the others would be fine in that tank

I think they get to the same size as normal JDs but not 100% sure if im honest.

I would try and avoid CA cichlids like TBar cichlids, Firemouths, Salvinis if it was me because the problem is if they breed the males after a few weeks are normally very pushy with the females to get them to breed again which can be tough on them. So unless you have another tank to move the male to i think it would be best to stick to SA cichlids.

 

[Verminator89]

Electric Blue Jack Dempseys get fractionally smaller than regular Jacks IME. However they are still 8"+ fish. My male just about tips over the 8" mark now and in a 3ft 180L which i grew him up in he looked cramped quite quickly. He's in a 280L now and i still tihnk its pushing it for keeping my pair.

Definately go for cichlids that are no bigger than 6-7" tops. Firemouths are a wonderfull choice. Very interesting and make great spawners if you get a pair.

Albeit i have no experience breeding firemouths yet, i do understand they can get "pushy", as has been mentioned. But don't let that stop you getting them. Dividers are very easy to DIY and utilise.


Have you concidered Appistogramma species? Stunning colouration and get to a decent size at around 4" i believe. Something i've always wanted to keep for sure.

 

[BadBadger]

Thanks for the replies.

I will do a bit of research about the Geo's and Firemouths as they've caught my eye before. Would a group of 4 geo's be happy in a tank this size?

Can someone give me a bit of info on them? my internets down so having to use the phone

Also, there was a section in PFK about the 'Orange Head', but cant find the mag. Is this fish to big for my tank?

I have thought about appistos before, but for my community if i remove the Kribs and Angels. Would that work?

Thaankkkyooouu

 

[kizno1]

The Geophagus iporangensis only get 4" so 4 would be fine in a 160L you might even get away with 5-6.
The Orange haeds or Red heads there the same thing get upto 8" for males so way to big for a 160L.
The Geos are a type of earth eater so NEED sand. Temps-22-28C, PH-Below 7 is best but you might get away with slightly above if you acclimatize them well, Feeding- Tetra prima or a type of sinking pellet as a staple and live and frozens. They also need some veg in there diets, Compatibility-Work well with community fish, small catfish and other small non aggressive catfish.
In a 160L you could have something like
5 Geophagus iporangensis
1 BN or Banjo catfish
10 Cardinal tetra
10 Marble hatchets

 

[Wills]

The Geophagus iporangensis that Kizno are different to the regular geos you see around. They are more similar to Geophagus Brasiliensis - I know the Fish Inc had a tank of Geophagus iporangensis a few months ago not sure if there are any left?

These are the only true geophagus species that could live in that tank. But relatives like Cupid Cichlids would work well.

A stunning rare cichlid in our area at the moment is Krobia sp.Red Cheek - Frisbies have a few quite large specimens in and you could do a really nice Xingu biotope in that tank Which would be a meritable decision to do due to the river drying out quite recently. Just had to rehome my pair as my nic was muscling in on them which is a shame as they are really nice fish.

Wills

 

[BadBadger]

Sorry for the late reply. Still having trouble with the internet.

The xingu biotope sounds interesting. I'll do a bit of research once the internet back up and running. For now though, can someone shed a bit of light about xingu biotopes?

Thank you for your replies

 

[star4]

If you like the firemouth, look up the Ellioti they are from the same family but not as aggressive as the firemouth and not as big.

 

[walkers101]

And if your anywhere near Wharf they have some stunning Elloti's in