Single Cichlid?

[tiggely]

I know you need to keep community fish together as a group, but can you keep a cichlid as a single fish in a tank and still have a happy guy?

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

Yes, fish like Oscars and Jack Dempsey are good examples of fish that can thrive by themselves.

 

[shroob]

Yes people do keep fish on their own for different reasons (though mainly its because the tank is too small to allow tankmates).
My attitude was until recently that there isn't anything wrong with keeping cichlids on their own, then I read a thread on another forum and it changed my outlook. The thread was about 'glass banging' cichlids and if its stress or something else that causes it.
What I got out of it though was that I won't keep fish alone anymore, they need some interaction I think.

I witnessed this when I first started my 90G, I put in my severum first and 2 polypterus, the severum would glassbang my finger if I got close, now with my oscar in there with the sev it no longer glass bangs and I have to say its colours have improved. I also like the way they sometimes swim together and if the oscar picks something up from the bottom, the severum shoots over to check it out. Thats gotta be providing more stimulus. I also would never keep a fish in a bare tank, all my tanks are decorated as I also believe this gives the fish something to do or atleast look at. My severum also hates plants of any kind, but I still buy and put plants in his tank just because it gives him something extra to think about and do.

I suppose the big question is what fish are you thinking of getting and the size of the tank. Cichlids are a big group of fish and I should think you could have some form of tankmates with the majority of them.

 

[funkyhoney]

A Red Devil is a good example of a fish that is difficult to keep WITH tankmates, although even lone fish should have some dither fish for some interactivity IMO.

 

[tiggely]

That is what I was afraid the answer might be. BTW, I love severums...a beautiful fish. With that being said since I only have an Eclipse 12 and I am not a person that likes community fish (not trying to offend anyone here) I guess I'm looking at a betta, 2-3 honey gouramis or maybe a couple german rams, although that has been a subject of debate with a 12 gallon tank. I love convicts and thought I could possibly keep 1 female in there since they don't get as lare as the males. But...... Anyway, thank you for your replies.