Hardiest Cichlid

[SPLiSH]

I'm thinking of setting up a New World cichlid tank... never kept any before so I'm looking for a fairly forgiving species. I've researched a fair bit and have come up with the following:

~Convicts
~Blue acara
~Angels (?)

What do you think are the best species for a cichlid beginner?

 

[jimw13uk]

For a beginner then I would look at Firemouths , Angels , Convicts , Keyholes , Rams - not mixed together - well they would except for the Convict - I wouldnt risk convicts with the more peaceful cichlids as they can be very aggressive. I've never had convicts myself so am no expert on them but have heard stories of their aggression

 

[SPLiSH]

Thanks. Please keep the advice coming people...

 

[lilmolly]

Convicts are the hardiest fish I have kept as of yet. I have this one convict someone gave me a year ago. The lady had gotten 3 and two paired off. The one she gave me was the loner. Anyway, he's been through the mill. I've had to switch his tank so many times and he's never had a problem. Once, the heater in the tank broke and was sending electrical impulses through the water and he still survived. That will teach me to buy heaters on clearance.

 

[freddyk]

The only problem with the convicts, and they are as hardy as they come, is that you're looking at keeping a pair completely alone because of how aggressive they get during spawning, unless you keep them in a large tank. If you choose something milder you open the options of other non-cichlid tankmates.

Of course, the aquarium size is very important. Convicts need a 20 gallon long, Acaras need at least a 55 four footer. So what are we looking at?

Keyholes are as docile as they get, rainbow cichlids are a good choice, Nicaraguensis , Severums, firemouths, most dwarves are a good choice for smaller tanks, Angels are a given... so many to name.

 

[SPLiSH]

Thanks for all your help everyone.

I'll take all your suggestions into account and look into it a bit more.

EDIT:

Of course, the aquarium size is very important. Convicts need a 20 gallon long, Acaras need at least a 55 four footer. So what are we looking at?

I haven't bought the tank yet, I'm going to choose a species/combo, then buy a tank that suits.

 

[SPLiSH]

Hmmm... I've researched Severums a bit... anyone here keep them? How tolerant are they?