Help Me Decide

[MegTheFish]

Well, I'm pretty sure that I'm going to be rehoming my goldfish from my 50 gallon sooner or later. I have too many in there and the comets will eventually grow too big for the tank so its for the best. I've decided I want to go with large-ish cichlids (with catfish or a plec for the bottom), as I already have tons of small fish (my bettas and my peaceful community tank). But I'm having touble figuring out who can go with who and which fish(s) would be suitable for this size tank. This is a list that I came up with, with fish that interest me:

-Jack Dempsey
-Firemouth
-Pictus Catfish
-Blue Acara
-Festivum
-Blood Parrot
-Gold Severum

So far I know that if I were to get a Jack Dempsey, he would have to live alone because the size of my tank would not allow for any more fish. With the pictus catfish, I don't know if my tank has enough "zooming'' room. It is 36"x18". And with the other fish, again I'm assuming I could mix some of them but thats what I need help with. Oh and if the tank is not suitable for pictus I need ideas for other bottom dwellers. So I guess what I'm looking for is possible stocking lists, I've done a bit of research and will be doing more but wanted to get some first-hand advice. Thanks in advance!!!

 

[vancouver]

Considering it is a 36'' long tank..

-Jack Dempsey - no
-Firemouth - ok
-Pictus Catfish - no
-Blue Acara - dont know
-Festivum - ok
-Blood Parrot - no
-Gold Severum - no

I wouldn't keep anything over 6'' in a 36'' tank... bps and severums will be too large, as will jack dempseys..

Pictus cats need to be in groups, and are very active, so I wouldn't keep them in a 36'' tank..

So maybe a firemouth, festivum and some type of catfish?

 

[MegTheFish]

Considering it is a 36'' long tank.

-Jack Dempsey - no
-Firemouth - ok
-Pictus Catfish - no
-Blue Acara - dont know
-Festivum - ok
-Blood Parrot - no
-Gold Severum - no

I wouldn't keep anything over 6'' in a 36'' tank... bps and severums will be too large, as will jack dempseys..

Pictus cats need to be in groups, and are very active, so I wouldn't keep them in a 36'' tank..

So maybe a firemouth, festivum and some type of catfish?

Thanks for the answers. I'm really disappointed about the JD though, as they are really pretty fish. Too bad my tank is so oddly shaped. Instead of the Blood Parrot I think I may go with a small group of (undyed) "JellyBean" parrots (convict/parrot hybrid). Apparently they stay smaller. We have 3 in at work right now and they are just plain white and nobody seems interested in them, they are such little characters though. Too bad about the pictus too, though I was pretty convinced my tank wouldn't have enough length to it anyways. I think I may try a single firemouth with the jellybeans and then some kind of bottom dweller, still haven't figured which kind. May try a festivum but I was really looking for something with a bit more color.

 

[QuotheRaven]

Have you considered Kribensis? Very colourful great fish...