Nice 55 Gallon

[Biddles95]

i have a 55 gallon nearlly cycled tank
i still have not decided what i want in the tank though
i have thought about convict cichlids which i really like.. and i really like firemouth cichlids
1) would i be able to have these?
2) are they compatible?
The tank has only really just started to cycle .. so it wont be ready for a long while... SO loads of time to plan

 

[kizno1]

I think you could get away with one of each but not a pair of each. Cons are very aggressive especially when breeding. If im honest i would have a look for a group of some type of Thorichthys (The family firemouths are in) I would go for thorichthys ellioti or thorichthys aureus and then once 2 pair just keep the group and try breeding. They will be alot easier to sell on than firemouth on convict fry.

 

[Biddles95]

THANKYOU i think the 'thorichthys ellioti' are better looking than the firemouthes
now about to do some research on them thanks
so would you say get a pair of them and just keep them in the tank and let them breed?

cheers

 

[kizno1]

To get a pair your best to start with 4-5 then wait for 2 to pair then sell the others then yeah just let them breed and once they fry get to about 1" there ready to sell.
Care wise i think there similar to firemouths but less aggressive.

 

[Biddles95]

Thanks you have been really helpful , i think i will go with them. Would i be able to have any catfish with them? e.g. featherfin squeaker?

cheers

 

[kizno1]

Hmm catfish couldbe a little risky but aslong as you have lots of hiding spots and caves i think it should be fine although i dont know if they will nip at the featherfins long dorsal fins.

 

[Biddles95]

oooh
i would deffinatly provide a lot of hiding spots, would these fish get more agressive when breeding so they will be able to protect the fry? I know that some catfish do nip fins but i will have to research that further to know which catfish were best... if not catfish... loaches or cories?

 

[kizno1]

Yeah they will be more aggressive when breeding but i havent kept them so cant really say how aggressive they will be. I wouldnt personally keep a breeding pair in with a featherfin or corys because i think there likely to nip them but someone like Star that keeps them will be able to help you out more.

 

[Biddles95]

thanks you've been a great help to me
i guess catfish arent needed, but i was just thinking that i would want something else as it would look empty a 4 foot tank with 2 '6 inche' fish in it

 

[kizno1]

Yeah i get what you mean. Something like a group of Banjo catfish would work because when attacked they will bury themselfs but they arnt that active and are big fry eaters. Remember that to start off with you will have a few though and once it is only down to 2 they will be spawning so you should have fry in the tank aswell.

 

[Biddles95]

ahh i keep forgetting! xD
yeh when there is fry in the tank i would only be concerntrating on the fry nothing else. So i guess i will only need them! ooh i cant wait

 

[kizno1]

Haha good luck and let us know how you get on

 

[Biddles95]

i will i think i will as soon as i get my first batch of fry