New World Cichlid Recommendations

[KkAaNnEe]

Well basically I was going to get discus for my Rio 300. But I haven't had time to get them yet. Anyway, I was in the LFS the other day and to be honest they have a great cichlid section, and more importantly a decent new world cichlid section (excluding discus), I got myself a couple Bolivian Rams. So I had a bit of a think and was wondering what other types of NWCs could I get, instead of discus. I saw they had GBRs which Ive had, they also have Apistos etc but what about the other species...

I would like to have a sort of community NWC tank, I have a pair of Bolivians already and I just find most NWC interesting to watch. I just feel I might limit myself with discus

 

[Wills]

Good choice on the bolivian rams! Much hardier and easier to handle than the Blue rams as they are more demanding most of the time.

A trio of apistos would work well (or more) just stick to one male. Though a group of Cupid cichlids would do great in there with the Rams. Angels would work with both of them. Something like Rainbow Cichlids or Blue Acaras would work as well.

I have seen Rotkiel Severums work well with B.Rams as well just an idea?

Wills

 

[KkAaNnEe]

Agree on the Bolivians, i had GBRs a while back but im finding the bolivians a great fish, everyone seems to underrate them because of the colour of GBRs.

I was deff thinking a trio of Apisto, as for which one ill see what takes my fancy lol...

I was also thinking about blue acaras - any more info? already have a angel atm just a lone platinum one, although my LFS has beautiful altums at £20 a pair.

I also saw geophagus species at the LFS but didnt catch which ones they were

 

[Mr Melt]

I just bought a pair of Rainbow Cichlids on Saturday + they're doing great - lovely colorful fish, only achieve a modest size (around 5-6 inches) and have GREAT character!

I cant stop looking at them =D

I would suggest those as a smaller variant of New World/American Cichlid =)

 

[AmazonFTW]

I wouldn't keep Geos in there as some species can reach around 1ft in length and do better kept in groups. (You already have (Micro)geophagus though )

I keep a Blue Acara(Male, only 3" atm)with 2 Bolivian Rams(Females, 2" atm). And they get along fine, the BA ignores the rams most of the time.

I don't know the exact dimensions but you're probably better off with P.Scalare/(Dumerlii?)/Leopoldi as they are smaller. Scalare being the most common in the trade i.e the ones that have all the colour variants. Altums get quite deep and are much more sensitive. I suggest you leave you platinum as a lone Angel or trouble could occur.

I don't know where you based (UK I hope) but check these out (if I had a tank going spare I'd of bought some of these). A.Baenschi A. Panduro Wild A.Eremnopyge the first being my favourite .

AmazonFTW

 

[KkAaNnEe]

Great suggestions, thanks guys

Im not really into 'big fish' as such, so blue acara seems good to me, i have read about it ripping up plants tho

Tank is 48 x 24 x 20 300ltr. And yeah im in london. Are wild apistos sensitive

 

[Wills]

Some Geos could work if your interested - Geophagus Pindare are a nice small one - a herd of Red Head Tapajos might fit but would limit adding anything else. Geophagus Iporagensis (spelling) but dont just get generic geos like Geophagus Surinumensis and Geophaugs Braziliensis as they are the ones that get huge

All cichlids will dig rather than rip up plants you just have to weight the plants down in someway and be prepared to move stuff if needs be.

The foot print of that tank is great for cichlids as well! If you like NW cichlids you should check out Wholesale Tropicals near Bethnall Green - great shop for rarities and a good reputation in general for fish.

Wills

 

[hamfist]

Are wild apistos sensitive

All apistos are quite sensitive. If you have hard, alkaline water then forget it with apistos.

 

[lowthy76]

some european bred appisto's can do well in a ph of around 7, my ph is 7 and my appisto's are doing great, just ask the lfs if they are european bred or wild, if they are wild steer clear, but the european bred ones are a tad hardier, hope this helps

 

[KkAaNnEe]

Thanks

So as a stock list:

1 acara
Pair bolivians
Trio Apisto

Btw if you search blue acara in youtube, theres a great
informative vid as the first result

I have neon tetras and black neons atm, how will they find it

 

[lowthy76]

i have cheery barns in with my appisto's i have cacatuoides they are great little fish and very beautiful, highly reccomend them

 

[ChilliPepper]

If you like NW cichlids you should check out Wholesale Tropicals near Bethnall Green - great shop for rarities and a good reputation in general for fish.

I have some fish coming from them today, so I am glad to read this! I'd love to live near the shop.

I agree with all Wills' suggestions. Sound advice as usual

i have cheery barns in with my appisto's i have cacatuoides they are great little fish and very beautiful, highly reccomend them

Do you mean cherry barbs?