Looking For A "different" Nw Cichlid Species For Semi Commun

[RipSlider]

Hello all.

After much juggling of furniture, Mrs Steve has ruled that until the house gets re-wired I can't set up my two big tanks in any of the practical locations ( some issues with fung shui or mess or needing electricity or some such excuse...) so I've gone and got myself a little 300 litre chappy.

Currently cycling and as yet doesn't have any stock, but at one end it's heavily planted, at the other there's lots of bogwood and no plants, trying to imitate a river bed. pH is sitting at a fairly comfortable 6.7-6.5, temp is 25 degrees, and there is 5kg of peat in the substrate to keep the water soft and tanin filled.

Main stock will be a big shoal of red-line torpedo barbs and a big shoal of odeassa barbs. However, I also want a could of interesting NW cichlids that will work well.

I've kind of discounted rams, firemouths, angels, festivals and discus (I would love discus but the tank is too small for any more than 4 I think, and I understand that 6 is the magic number ).

So I was wondering, based on the size of the tank, it's chemistry, temp, water type etc, if anyone can think of a bit of a different NW cichlid that would fit in well? Ideal fish is about 6" in size, will do well in a shoal of 4-6, is fairly peaceful and will look great in tea stained water.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance

Steve

 

[Matt_northants]

How about Biotodoma wavrini slighly small at 4inches but the adults look really good and they're definately different. A shoal of 6 would be fine.

 

[RipSlider]

How about Biotodoma wavrini slighly small at 4inches but the adults look really good and they're definately different. A shoal of 6 would be fine.

Wow. Never seen those before but they do look very cool indeed.

Unfortunately I've put in a gravel substrate, although with a lot of peat mixed into it. Will earth eaters be able to cope with this do you think? It's fine gravel, but gravel none the less.

Steve

 

[Matt_northants]

I dont think so I'm afraid, they are cool though, as soon as some appear in one of my nearish LFS's I'm planning on adding a shoal to my blackwater tank. Been waiting 8 months now though!