Turn My Co2 Planted Tank Into A Med. Cichlid Tank

[mishmash]

Hi,

A couple of weeks ago I was trawling the "tropical fish" section of Ebay and saw some stunning examples of Cichlasoma Festae's. Both an unbelievable intense colour and great shape. BUT too big and far too stroppy for me at this stage. However it got me thinking. Then, more recently I have seen some pics and videos of a cichlid species called Cryptoheros Nanoluteus. And it struck me that they were almost if not as beautiful but in a smaller package hehe.

I currently have a fully planted tank with CO2 injection and EI plant fertilisation along with a community of fish which comprises Corydoras Schwartzi, Corydoras Panda, Rummynose Tetra, wild caught Pentazona Barbs, Serpae Tetra, a trio of MFF Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish and a couple of Honey Gouramie. Its a lovely setup, BUT I really want a focal point. A pair of fish that are large enough to be clearly visible at all times, and that will hopefully breed but also get on with other inhabitants (not necessarily the ones in there now, although I am very attached to my Corydoras.

So what I guess I am after is something like the Cryptoheros that I mentioned, that will not uproot all my plants (again, the actual plants can change as can the need for CO2 injectiion but I do like some greenery in there), and which will get on with say the Corys and a shoal of dither/target fish (that are not swordtails or other such run of the mill fish).

I would really welcome any suggestions, along with links to any articles about setting up various types of cichlid tanks.

Cheers in advance

 

[thereverendturtle]

Look at the many apistogrammas, laetacara and keyhole cichlids.

 

[mishmash]

<br />Look at the many apistogrammas, laetacara and keyhole cichlids.<br />

<br /><br /><br />

Thanks for the suggestion. I think at this stage I want to avoid Apistos as most stay too small to be very noticable in this tank. I do like Herotilapia multispinosa though, and also Laetacara Curviceps. Not that familiar with keyholes other than the bog standard ones you see in run of the mill LFS's and they all seem quite plain to me. The aim is to go for something really colourful

Keep the ideas coming though folks, its much appreciated. The more ideas I can get the better my choice and decision will be

 

[minnnt]

You won't beat rainbows for colour, but they're skittish and eat a lot of plants. Don't overlook keyholes either, they are super fish and would grace any tank.

 

[dougie]

Keyholes are great, I've got a couple in with my A. Metae, the latter being beautiful & very placid fish. I have no troubles at all with either pair. Hopefully the pic comes through (trying it on my phone), if not I'll have a go later via laptop when I get home.

... And neither pair touch my plants either...

 

[ZoddyZod]

I agree with the Reverend, laetacara curviceps (dwarf flag acara) and laetacara dorsigera (red breasted acara) are lovely fish. Get to a nice chunky size as well so shouldn't get 'lost' in your tank.

 

[minnnt]

Those metae are amazing! Wish I had the ones Lesley was selling a few months back.

 

[dougie]

Minnnt, these ones are from that very batch

 

[minnnt]

Lol, I thought they would be. Not too often seen.

 

[mishmash]

<br />Lol, I thought they would be. Not too often seen.<br />

<br /><br /><br />

Love the metae... what size tank are yours in and what does the A. part of their name mean in full so I can look em up

 

[minnnt]

Aequidens. They're part of the acara family.

 

[dougie]

<br />Lol, I thought they would be. Not too often seen.<br />

<br /><br /><br />

Love the metae... what size tank are yours in and what does the A. part of their name mean in full so I can look em up

Thanks mishmash - minnnt is right, Aequidens Metae, the pics really don't do them justice (taken on my phone & they wouldn't keep still - they thought they were about to get food...).
They are currently in a 200ltr (approx 44 Imperial or about 53 US gallons). I've just bought a 400 ltr (about 89 Imp 105 US gal). But that's in the garage until I've done a bit of DIY to remove part of a wall where I want it to live... As I mentioned earlier, they are currently in with a couple of Keyholes, a BN Plec & a few inherited Cherry Barbs. I've had no problems at all with compatability. A bit of huffing & puffing at most. Oh I've even got 4 of shrimp in there which they do not bother. The biggest one is about 3 inches, so they're not nearly fully grown.
If you can find some, I'd definitely recommend them, beauties!

 

[mishmash]

<br />

<br />

&lt;br /&gt;Lol, I thought they would be. Not too often seen.&lt;br /&gt;

&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;<br /><br />Love the metae... what size tank are yours in and what does the A. part of their name mean in full so I can look em up <img src='http/www.fishforums.net/public/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /><br />

<br /><br />Thanks mishmash - minnnt is right, Aequidens Metae, the pics really don't do them justice (taken on my phone &amp; they wouldn't keep still - they thought they were about to get food...).<br />They are currently in a 200ltr (approx 44 Imperial or about 53 US gallons). I've just bought a 400 ltr (about 89 Imp 105 US gal). But that's in the garage until I've done a bit of DIY to remove part of a wall where I want it to live... As I mentioned earlier, they are currently in with a couple of Keyholes, a BN Plec &amp; a few inherited Cherry Barbs. I've had no problems at all with compatability. A bit of huffing &amp; puffing at most. Oh I've even got 4 of shrimp in there which they do not bother. The biggest one is about 3 inches, so they're not nearly fully grown.<br />If you can find some, I'd definitely recommend them, beauties!<br />

<br /><br /><br />

Hi thanks. So how big do the A. Metae get to ? Can you tell me what dimensions yours are in rather than the volume so I can compare in terms of space ? Mine is 80cm x 45 x 55 tall.

 

[dougie]

Well all the info on the net suggests they max out at 5 inches, but the Daddy of mine was at least 7 at a guess, perhaps he was an exception (or maybe I'm not good at guessing). The other one's I saw were smaller. I think they were all female, it was a few months back.
The tank they're in now is about 100 x 40 x 55, off the top of my head. But like I said, in a few months they'll have a bigger home. You can find a little info on A.Metae on the net if you search a bit