Couple Of Simple Questions

[pauly]

Firstly how do you pronounce Cichlids?

Secondly, I'm planning a new tank with a mix of these. I understand that Circhlids should be kept on their own, but would they be ok with a red tail black shark and a silver shark with them?

They'll be in a 180l tank.

Cheers,

Paul.

 

[Matty P]

Firstly how do you pronounce Cichlids?

Secondly, I'm planning a new tank with a mix of these. I understand that Circhlids should be kept on their own, but would they be ok with a red tail black shark and a silver shark with them?

They'll be in a 180l tank.

Cheers,

Paul.

1) I think it is chick-lids

2) Cichlids require a species tank, they are usually not suitanle for community tanks.

3) Bala/Silver Sharks grow to 16" (40cm), so are way to big for your tank. The Red Tailed Black Sharks can grow to 6" (17cm) and require at least a 55 gallon (210 litre) tank.

Cheers

Matt

 

[darrel69]

i always pronounced cichlids as "kick-lids", but then was told at my lfs its "sick-lids"

 

[Mr Flagfin]

Cichlids (pronounced Sick Lids)
Can be very aggressive and territorial.
It all depends on which sort you have (or want to keep)
We have had them in community tanks before, and they to pick on other Cichlids rather than anything else.
(just ask you LFS before you buy)
They SHOULD know better than me !!

 

[dizzied]

I believe it's "sick-lids" as well. I got that from Jungle 2 Jungle. Hehe.

 

[Matty P]

"Sick-lids" it is then

 

[dthoffsett]

Firstly how do you pronounce Cichlids?

Secondly, I'm planning a new tank with a mix of these. I understand that Circhlids should be kept on their own, but would they be ok with a red tail black shark and a silver shark with them?

They'll be in a 180l tank.

Cheers,

Paul.

It is in fact "sick-lids". There are thousands of cichlid species(both New & Old World), they run the whole gamut of aggression leves, so we'll need to know which ones you are interested in.

 

[pauly]

Thanks for the pointers guys.

I'll have to look into the different species, I didn't realise there were so many different ones. If somebody could list the relatively calmer ones I would be grateful. The ones I like are the Convict ones, the yellow ones, and the blue ones (very basic I know but that's the limit of my knowledge at the moment).

Paul.

 

[dthoffsett]

Thanks for the pointers guys.

I'll have to look into the different species, I didn't realise there were so many different ones. If somebody could list the relatively calmer ones I would be grateful. The ones I like are the Convict ones, the yellow ones, and the blue ones (very basic I know but that's the limit of my knowledge at the moment).

Paul.

Well if you want calm, I'd stay away from convicts (at least when they are breeding) they can be extremely territorial, even by cichlid standards. They are a central american cichlid. http/www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=132

By the yellow one, I'll assume you mean labidochromis caeruleus, they are an African cichlid from Lake Malawi, one of the mbuna or rock-dwelling species. Considered a fairly peaceful species, they should be kept as part of a Malawi community. http/www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=713

As far as a blue one, I'm not sure, there are around 6 species of mbuna that are blue, and I'm sure there are several Central and South American species that are blue.

Sounds like you have about a 48gal tank, depending on wheter it is a 3 or 4 foot, you could have a nice selection of fish. Here are a couple of links for stocking selections to give you ideas of what would be appropriate for your tank.
http/www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/cookie_cutter_40g.php
If your tank is a 4 ft you could go with these species, just not as many fish as they list.
http/www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/cookie_cutter_55g.php

It sounds to me that you are leaning towards mbuna (great choice), here's a wonderful article to help you decide if they are right for you.
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=27706

 

[LineDropper]

Hay Pauly... I'm in a similar situation but I've been cycling for almost 5 weeks now.

I visited my LFS to talk about options and we quickly ruled out convict cichlids. People say they are easy to breed but according to my LFS, they breed too well... he said its the most common cichlid people bring back in (not because the don't like them, just because they have successfully breed them and have too much).

After some significant research, I am down to either Rainbow or Keyhole cichlids. Both look good and are small compared to other cichids. Both are also easy breeders but my LFS will take either of these if I have an overflow.

The other good thing about these species is they are supposed to do well in community tanks. My LFS had the opinion that keyhole cichlids are less aggressive than the rainbow.

And finally, if you want to breed cichlids, my LFS has recommended that once a mating pair is evident, you should separate that pair from all other cichlids. They are peaceful, but once the mating process starts and eggs and little babies are around, they can be very aggressive.

Good luck.

 

[pauly]

Thanks dthoffsett and LineDropper for your very helpfull comments.

I've had to put the cycling on hold for a couple of weeks anyway, so that'll give me time to research the fish a bit better.

Thanks again

Paul.