Ideas - Just Throwing It Out There

[Wills]

Hi after moving on a lot of my smaller cichlids after a spate of issues with my larger cichlids picking on them my tank is down on cichlids and I am a bit stuck as what to do.

The tank is a 65 gallon though bigger tank is coming in the new year around a 150 gallons. Fluval FX5 and regular weekly and twice a week water changes. The tanks main residents are a male Heros Severus (6 inches at 3 years old) and a female Nicaraguensis (4 inches at 1 year old) a group 5 of Headstanders, 2 Sturisoma Aurem (whiptail cat), 1 whiptail - unsure of species and a school of large lemon tetras.

Ive got three ideas and not sure what to do -

Idea 1 - a group of geophagus around 4 inches at present with a view to them growing on in the new tank in a few months. Probably look for a nice wild caught group of sub adults.

Idea 2 - 2 or 3 single specimens - probably more Central Americans - perhaps something like a Hericthys Deppi or a nice Thoricthys species or if I can find one a Theraps. - though if I see a group of decent sized Theraps species I will probably home in on this kind of set up.

Idea 3 - play it safe and get a group of nice catfish like some kind of Hoplo or get a trio of small Lima Shovelnoses to grow on ready for the new tank?

I am making a cross country trek to Pier Aquatics on Saturday so the purchases will be from there but based on their reputation I am guessing I will find pretty much anything I can imagine.

So yeah any ideas or specific species you would recommend?

Wills

 

[star4]

I like the idea of the geophagus, how about the satanopeca Jurupari, I have one and he is just lovely, trouble is I am really struggling to find any more so he is stuck on his own at the moment (well in with the frontosa ).

I like the thorichtys too, I have to admit the Ellioti being my favorite. One to ponder the A. Metae, I now have 4 and are pretty peacefull but dont take any nonsence off anyone, a little like mini Bailey's

 

[Wills]

Yeah acaras are certainley on the list but I dont know which I would want I know they are a bit of a dirty risky work on here but quite tempted to see if I can get a placid Green Terror.....

 

[star4]

I havnt kept GT myself, only Minxy's temporarily. I would say the only way to get a placid gt is to get a smallish one see how it behaves as it grows, if it doesnt work out re-home it and try another.

 

[kizno1]

I still like idea 1. I think that way the Nic would really stand out against a group Geos. A groups of Thoricthys Would look stunning aswell though.

 

[BethK]

what are those cichlids called, the ones that lit live on the bottom and kind of 'hop' along, rather than swim.

 

[Wills]

Yeah I know how bad GTs can go but.... so pretty!! Thing is the fish needs to either be in a group to spread the attention/beating that they will receive when they first enter the tank or be robust enough to get through it alone but then be calm enough not to batter the other two down once they are settled.

If it was the thoryicthys it would be a singleton - I like Aurus and some of the sp. species around at the moment. I really want a theraps just because the Corerlus and Lengti species are stunning! Especially the females! I do worry a little about adding centrals..... just worried that my nic might breed with any of the male relative central species.....? She is quite a feisty little thing - laid eggs on her own 3 times (maybe more)

Gah I dont know what to do!!

Also a cichlid that hops along? I have no idea? Blockhead maybe?

Wills

 

[kaivalagi]

How about a large group of Biotodoma rather than Geophagus, I'm not sure how many you could go for but if you could have 6-8 (or more?) that would be a nice scene, I'd like to think they'd stick together in larger numbers when fully grown, if not it might not be an option...

I just like the idea of a group of the same species though, you already have a Nic and a Sev, 2 very interesting fish, why not go for a group of cichlids


Biotodoma wavrini:

Biotodoma cupido:

 

[BethK]

Blockheads/lionheads, that's the one!

I was going to suggest them but they are African! Oh well, crawl back into my cave now

 

[Wills]

Kaivalagi - I love Cupids! One of my favorite fish but I would worry about how my nic would be with them - Ive just had to rehome my krobia, geophagus and satanoperca (the geos and satan were youngsters but growing very slow) So if I get a group of Geophenes its going to be larger specimens of either Geophagus or Satanoperca - that said though if I see some adult Cupids then they could be an option

Wills

 

[star4]

You could always go with an older plan and just keep the sev & nic and get some young texas

 

[Wills]

Yeah the texas is one of the ones I want for plan 2 Hericthys Deppi Probs my fav of the texas family - though if I see a nice escondo..... mmmmm lots of choices!

I know ive asked you before star but what are the smallest fish you have kept with your texans?

Wills

 

[kizno1]

What about herichthys pantostictus I saw some pics of some recently and WOW there stunning.

 

[kaivalagi]

You need two tanks Wills, one SA and one CA tank!

Doesn't help much that though...I would be reluctant to go for any more CA cichlids in case of cross-breeding...you want a couple hardier SA types really...what about adding one or more of Blue Acara/Chocolate or variations of...?

 

[star4]

Yeah the texas is one of the ones I want for plan 2 Hericthys Deppi Probs my fav of the texas family - though if I see a nice escondo..... mmmmm lots of choices!

I know ive asked you before star but what are the smallest fish you have kept with your texans?

Wills

When I had convicts I put 4 males in, they were about 2-3" when the texans were 5-6" without any bother, but they were convicts. I have a RTBS in with them they dont bother that or Harry the red spot sev. Its just when they go to someone else they misbehave