Firemouth/convict And Severum

[Fishy412]

I've had a Severum in a 55 gallon for about 2 years, along with a festivum, rainbow cichlid, calvus, and 3 pictus catfish. I used to have a few more inhabitants but i gave them away to make room for some more suitable tankmates. I was thinking about adding either a single convict or firemouth ( to avoid their aggressive breeding behavior) but i wasnt sure if they would be able to get along with my Severum, who has pretty much had full control over the tank. Anyone with either of these two species have any insight to this?

 

[Colin_T]

firemouths and convicts should be fine with a severum. However because the fish has been in the tank for a while it will consider the tank as its territory. As such you should redecorate the tank just before you introduce the new fish so they have a chance to settle in and not get bashed for intruding. Severums aren't that aggressive anyway but all cichlids become territorial to some degree and will constitute new fish being added as intruders. Firemouths are more peaceful than convicts.
It's a pretty good sized tank, you could add both and it would help with any aggression coming from the severum. It would be aimed at both new fishes instead of just one.
Other alternatives includes; Cichlasoma spilurum or sajica, Geophagus sp. like brasiliensis or surinamensis. You could even put some of the bigger species of rainbowfish in the tank with him/her. Check out the link for rainbowfish pics.

http/members.optushome.com.au/chelmon/Melano.htm

 

[blcknwitecuban]

i had my severum with 4 firemouth cichlids and the firemouths would even breed w/o much problems. however they did grow up together.

 

[Fishy412]

Thanks both for the advice. I knew Severum's are fairly peaceful I just wasnt sure how to deal with the issue of it being "his" tank. I was looking at the possibilities of some sort of Geo also, but I don't really see them around here very often and I know Convicts and Firemouths are both easy to find.

 

[Colin_T]

ask your LFS if they know where the local cichlid society meets each month. Then go to one of their meetings and you should be able to find all sorts of unusual stuff like geophagus

 

[bobross]

I was looking at the possibilities of some sort of Geo also, but I don't really see them around here very often and I know Convicts and Firemouths are both easy to find.

How about you have your LFS order you one?


BobRoss

 

[Fishy412]

I'll have to check out both of those options. I may have to find a different shop to order me something in. Is a Geo Surinamenis or Brasiliensis too large for a 55? I've seen them marked as growing to 10 or 11" which wouldnt give them a whole lot of room.

 

[Colin_T]

the biggest brasiliensis I have seen was a bit over 6 inches and the biggest surinamensis was about 8 inches.

 

[Fishy412]

the biggest brasiliensis I have seen was a bit over 6 inches and the biggest surinamensis was about 8 inches.

Hm, I'll have to see what I can find in that case. I'm not sure if they'll be ok with my substrate of large gravel either as I know the Surinams at least will want to sift through the gravel to find food, and I don't want one choking to death.

 

[shroob]

Just to say I think you might be stocked as it is with a 55 with a severum, rainbow and festivum.

 

[Fishy412]

Just to say I think you might be stocked as it is with a 55 with a severum, rainbow and festivum.

Well this is quite the bummer. In any case, it's a darn good thing I got rid of the rest of the fish I had in there or it could be even worse right now.