Need Cichlid Ideas

[nmcturner]

I have set up a 65 gallon tank and put some of my larger fish from my other tank in there. Plus it came with a couple of fish. All the fish in it are black and I want to add some color to the tank.

Here is what is in it:

3-3 inch clown oaches
2 4 inch ID sharks
1- 4 inch RTBS
1- 3 inch albino RTBS
1- Angel

The angel can come out if needed.

Are there any bright colored cichlids that I can add to this to give it some life?

Thanks
-Nick

I'm also posting this in the other cichlid forum.

 

[Ripley]

Well I would get rid of the ID Sharks first, they get too big for the tank. Also be aware that the Clown Loaches will get big too, but it will take a little while.
In terms of stocking with cichlids you can go either with African or New world cichlids. I personally think the Africans would be a better choice for your tank size and color. Yellow Labs, Socofili, Peacocks are good choices, but there are soooo many options.

 

[WaterBender1995]

RTBS???

 

[Robris]

Red Tail Black Shark

 

[nmcturner]

Well I would get rid of the ID Sharks first, they get too big for the tank. Also be aware that the Clown Loaches will get big too, but it will take a little while.
In terms of stocking with cichlids you can go either with African or New world cichlids. I personally think the Africans would be a better choice for your tank size and color. Yellow Labs, Socofili, Peacocks are good choices, but there are soooo many options.

I know about the ID's. I will be moving them to bigger homes as they get larger. I don't want to give them back to the LFS as they will just end up in the same situation. And, honestly, they are my favorite 2 fish (Doug and Carrie) right now. I think they are big enough to hold their own in there.

So if I add either the Labs Socofili or Peacocks they will not be TOO aggressive. I don't want Auratus agressive, just something non to semi agressive?

Thanks

 

[parker313]

Since you already have an angelfish in there, you need to stick with NW Cichlids. The water parameters and dietary needs, not to mention aggression levels are completely different.

 

[WaterBender1995]

What Parker ^^^ said!

If you want color what about getting a handfull of Koi angels??
they always doo better in a school anyway and that would make for a stunning tank!

 

[Snake42490]

The angel can come out if needed.
if he does that though.. but probably best to do what the above two post saids.. depends how much you like your angel??

 

[nmcturner]

The angel can come out if needed.
if he does that though.. but probably best to do what the above two post saids.. depends how much you like your angel??

I would still keep the Angel. I would just put him in a different tank.

 

[parker313]

Not in with the tiger barbs I hope.

Check here for some stocking ideas for different sized tanks.

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

He did put em' in the tank with the Tiger Barbs... I totally wound't have recommended Africans even if the Angel was out..

 

[parker313]

Yeah, me either.

Take the angel or the tiger barbs out NOW. Otherwise, they will kill your angel.

 

[nmcturner]

Well I would get rid of the ID Sharks first, they get too big for the tank. Also be aware that the Clown Loaches will get big too, but it will take a little while.
In terms of stocking with cichlids you can go either with African or New world cichlids. I personally think the Africans would be a better choice for your tank size and color. Yellow Labs, Socofili, Peacocks are good choices, but there are soooo many options.

First of all, the Angel was in with the tiger barbs before they were in the other tank and it was fine. The tigers pick on each other. I have never seen them pick on anything else in that tank. There are so many plants and hiding spaces I doubt they even know there are other fish in there.

As for the cichlids, the LAb's were recommended on this very forum. In fact I am quoting the post right now. I googled tankmates for the Labs and came up with the acei. So they were recommended together. The Red Zebra's were in the same tank as the Lab's at the LFS and they said that they always keep them together. So far the most aggression I am seeing in this tank is that the RTBS is chasing the cichlids around. The cichlids are the smallest things in the tank right now with not one of them being over 2 inches right now. So as you can see I did take the advice I was given here as well as elsewhere on the net.

When ever I post a question on this board I ALWAYS get the "Get rid of those ID sharks now.....and..... those clowns will get WAY TOO BIG". No matter how many times I explain that the sharks were bought when I was misinformed and that I will be getting a bigger place for the SLOW GROWING clowns in time. I have read NUMEROUS sites saying that clowns and africans will get along fine. So I took that advice. And actually the clowns (since they are so prone to ich when stressed) haven't even been moved yet,only in my signature.

You know I really like this site and would hate to have to leave it because I have learned a lot here. But no matter what I post about somebody has to scold me for something. (Sharks, loaches, etc....) I may be overstocked but nobody knows my cleaning schedule, maintenance or filtration which are all top notch.

Sorry to have gotten everybody so upset with my choice of fish.
-Nick