Looking For A Peaceful Pair

[thisguyek]

I know that there is a million and one stocking posts out there (i've got a few!) so apologies!

I'm looking, at some point in time, to get a 'centerpiece' pair of fish. something bigger than the rest.

I currently have a stock of platies and guppies.

tank size is 55gal

i need something that i can get one or two of that is peaceful to the rest of the tank. any suggestions?

 

[coldcazzie]

keyhole cichlid?

 

[Malawi MaD]

I know that there is a million and one stocking posts out there (i've got a few!) so apologies!

I'm looking, at some point in time, to get a 'centerpiece' pair of fish. something bigger than the rest.

I currently have a stock of platies and guppies.

tank size is 55gal

i need something that i can get one or two of that is peaceful to the rest of the tank. any suggestions?

Mikrogeophagus Ramirezi (German Blue rams) would be a good idea if you looking for something a little different or a pairing fish. They are perfect for a community tank with Tetras, Barbs, or Corys etc.. They do become slightly aggressive if (when) they breed but There is a few different species of ram's id check them out and see what you think. Their not the biggest but are certainly pretty looking fish.

 

[minnnt]

Anomalochromis Thomasi are extremely peaceful, but may not have the size you want.

Rainbow Cichlids are also some of the more peaceful cichlids, but will anihalate any plants you have.

 

[KittyKat]

Tank dimensions and décor?

 

[fishyfeet]

angels?

 

[thisguyek]

Tank dimensions and décor?

55gal 48W, 12D, 24H (i think... off the top of my head)

I have considered angels before. Everything Ive heard about them has been hit or miss. Some people have had nothing but problems unless you can find a good pair, which will become agressive anyway eventually... Dont they prefer to be in a small group?

Have not checked out the rams, but will!

thanks for the input

 

[thisguyek]

Tank dimensions and décor?

55gal 48W, 12D, 24H (i think... off the top of my head)

I have considered angels before. Everything Ive heard about them has been hit or miss. Some people have had nothing but problems unless you can find a good pair, which will become agressive anyway eventually... Dont they prefer to be in a small group?

Have not checked out the rams, but will!

thanks for the input

 

[karawr]

With angels it's one or all (ie a group of 6+)... I would not go with an angel pair personally.

I also vote for rams! They look very cool.

 

[KittyKat]

Tank dimensions and décor?

55gal 48W, 12D, 24H (i think... off the top of my head)

Pair of keyholes would be great, assuming your water parameters are suited to guppies and platys, or pair of Bolivian rams if the water is soft to neutral would also work as a good alternative. Best way to get pairs is to buy 3m 3f reducing to 1 pair once they pair up or 1 male and 3-4 females, reducing it down to one pair.

I would personally want a larger tank, front to back, for angels.. but in response to the question: best option is 6+, second best is a pair (couple, not random female and male), one is poor, 2-5 is bad.

I always found that blue rams did better in shorter tanks as they're earth eaters (bottom dwellers) and the tank is tall enough for angels.

 

[thisguyek]

i checked into rams a little bit and found that they like their water quite soft. mine is pretty hard. Ph 8.2.

could possibly pose a problem? Im not looking for them to spawn really... i just would like a nice centerpiece basically.

 

[coldcazzie]

depends... if you try to find some that have been locally bred then you might be ok...

 

[lowthy76]

i checked into rams a little bit and found that they like their water quite soft. mine is pretty hard. Ph 8.2.

could possibly pose a problem? Im not looking for them to spawn really... i just would like a nice centerpiece basically.

you could try apistogramma cacatuoides, most now in the lfs are chech bred (sorry for spelling lol)
and they tolerate many different water conditions and a pair of them is a great little fish to have imo, and the male is very colourful to and they dont get too big

but i would ask your lfs if they are european bred ones and not wild, as you may have a problem keeping the wild ones in a high ph like yours

 

[KittyKat]

i checked into rams a little bit and found that they like their water quite soft. mine is pretty hard. Ph 8.2.

could possibly pose a problem? Im not looking for them to spawn really... i just would like a nice centerpiece basically.

Yes, it could pose a problem and unfortunately, it doesn't matter all that much where they were bred, although it is relatively safe to say that tank bred fish are usually more flexible (although this is not always the case).

I will stick with my recommendations for keyholes because they are capable of doing well and can be found in everything from soft water to hard brackish water.

 

[thisguyek]

some good suggestions out there! thanks all

i checked out some pics of the apistogramma cacatuoides and i think theyre beautiful! I will have to check the few LFS to see what my options are. Id like not to have to order fish from online... pretty leery about that.


does anybody else have any other suggestions?