Tank Is Lacking Some Form Of Cichlid

[Verminator89]

I have a Rio 300 Bowfront which is simply decorated currently. Sand substrate with lots of bogwood and currently that is all. I do have 13 synthetic plants on order from Hong Kong, so i'm waiting for them. The tank stocking is currently as follows;

x3 Pim Pictus Catfish
x13 Tiger Barbs
x1 Armoured Bichir
x1 Red Tailed Shark
x1 Golden Nugget Plec


There are 5 temporary residents, these being;

x2 Mollies
x3 Boesemani Rainbows


These are going to move long term somewhere. The tank is active and all the fish are incredibly active, relentless almost, but its lacking something. I'm wanting a centre piece fish. Not huge though as i don't want anyting monstrous, i have those in other tanks. This i want to be a pleasant, mid sized centre piece.


I have a couple of ideas in my head, but wanted others to give suggestions as there are always fish you forget about untill someone says.


x2 Firemouths
x3 or 5 Gymnogeophagus sp Pindare (preference)



Cheers, James

 

[minxfishy]

The gymnogeophagus require a cool down period as far as I know, which is difficult to replicate with other fish in the tank, unless these are a particular gymno species which doesnt, not overly familar with them, Wills will likely be able to give more infor on that. However, Id recommend something along the firemouth family, Meeki themselves or Ellioti or Aureus (the latter two being more colourful and less aggressive), or Sajica, rainbow cichlids, cutteri something that stays around the 5-6" mark. There are many species in that range. Cant remember what you have in the other tank, but some Rotkeils would also be nice, rarely maxing out past the 6" mark.

 

[Verminator89]

Missed out yesterdays new additions to the Rio 300. Aught to mention them really. [updated original post]


My other tanks are listed in my profile, makes it easier than typing it all out again what i have and where. I have 3 male thoricthys meeki (spelling?) in my 4ft downstairs. If i could find a female, that would be perfect. However others are more impressive as you say.

 

[Littlemonkey]

If you can hang on a bit, My Eliotti fry are doing very well and comming up to 4 weeks old. I can see the stripes forming. There will be some available if your interested.

 

[Verminator89]

Definately be interested in those Keep me posted!

 

[Littlemonkey]

Plus they are offspring from Star4's, Will deffo keep in touch.

 

[star4]

The Ellioti parents lived with the Rotkeil parents without trouble, you could always keep a rottie with Ellioti.

 

[Verminator89]

Lesley, i might just have to take one rotkiel from you Assuming my tank won't be over stocked with the stocking listed in post #1 plus a pair of ellioti + 1 rottie Maybe, just maybe. What do you think.

Filtration will be a fluval FX5 as of January. In preparation for my 6x2x2 which these will all go into long term.

 

[star4]

You should be fine with a rottie, they do not grow that big, the parents are only 6-7"

 

[markandhisfish]

yeah rotties are 1 of the smaller sevs , mine reached 8 inches but was by far the biggest id seen in the flesh . altho if you didnt want a sev my suggestion would have to be sajica . perfectly fits everything you want . mid sized stunningly coloured and pretty peaceful.

 

[star4]

No the 2 little monster sajica I have at the moment, right little bullies they are!!!

 

[hamfist]

Has to be a severum of some sort !!

personally, I wouldn't put a pair of any of the mid-sized cichlids in there, with all those other fish. Too much potential for aggro (between themsleves if the same sex, or between them and everyone else if they breed).

 

[Monty-2010]

I'd go for a pair of red spot severums, cool fish and would give a pretty good colour contrast with what you've already got

 

[markandhisfish]

I'd go for a pair of red spot severums, cool fish and would give a pretty good colour contrast with what you've already got

tank isnt big enough, a single red spot may be doable in there but not 2

 

[hamfist]

I'd go for a pair of red spot severums, cool fish and would give a pretty good colour contrast with what you've already got

tank isnt big enough, a single red spot may be doable in there but not 2

Agreed. One, not two.