What Additions Could I Make If I Upgraded

[tenohfive]

Little while since I posted on here, think last time was when I was setting up my new world tank. Its a Rio 180 (so 101 x 41 x 50cm) and current stocking is:

1 x C. Sajica
1 x T. Ellioti
1 x Blue Acara
5 x pim pictus cats.

An option came up recently to trade in my tank (plus £100) for a Rio 300 (dimensions 121 x 51 x 62cm / 4 x 1.7 x 2ft.) I initially decided against it, but have been having second thoughts and was wondering if I were to go for this (or upgrade at some point in the future) what additions I'd be able to make?

Trying to work out if the additions would make the job of driving an hour and trying to fit a 4ft tank in the back of a fairly small car worth it. And the money of course.

Thanks
Chris

 

[minxfishy]

Hey Chris, how you doing?

I assume your asking what other NW cichlids would go well with those you already have.

A nice group of geophagus would be nice, surinamensis, brasiliensis, jurupari something along those lines, providing you have a sand or fine gravel substrate that is.

They should be fine with the pictus even though they occupy the same levels of the tank.

Then some larger sized dithers, either tetras, giant danios, rainbows, barbs etc to liven it up a bit.

You could even get away with a single severum if you like them, would get along fine with the cichlids you already have.

 

[tenohfive]

Cheers. Yes, sorry - it was NW cichlids I'm looking to add. I'm not too fussed about dithers, but if I were to upgrade I'd want to be able to add a nice (or a few nice) cichlids. Not overly keen on geo's - they're generally beautifully coloured, but something about their body shape is a little off putting, don't ask me why. Being able to get a sev would definately be an incentive in my mind.

Any other NW cichlid suggestions? I'm trying to sell my other half on the idea and I can see it being a hard sell, as the only fish she's thought were beautiful were EBJD's - and I'm not sure if one would be an option with my current stocking?

 

[minxfishy]

Well IMO a severum would fit well, its the minimum size for one and the other cichlids you have a pretty peaceful.

A JD is going to be touch and go, if you get a placid one, yeah no problems, on the other hand, they can be very aggressive in which case you could be in for problems, the Acara might stand up to it, but the sajica and ellioti I dont personally believe would surivive.

EBJD are sensitive boogers too, although very pretty and reputably less aggressive than a normal JD, they can, so Ive read, suddenly go down hill quickly for no apparent reason, possibly the way they are bred for their colour.

Of course my opiton would be the severum, a beautifully coloured gold or red spot gold like I have, or a quality rotkeil would be

 

[tenohfive]

Think a google search of some lovely rotkeils would be a bright idea, see if I can sell the missus on the idea. I know I'm being greedy when asking this (and I'm not the sort to ignore good advice) but is there anything else (other than dithers) that I could add as well as a Sev?

 

[minxfishy]

You could add nicaraguan cichlid, females far more beautiful than the males, smaller size cichlids like rainbow cichlid, flag cichlid, keyholes, wouldnt go with apistos though as too small with the acara IMO.

Chocolate cichlid, festivums, angels, threadfin acara.

You could add another ellioti, wouldnt add FM's though as they are more aggressive than their relatives.

Stay away from the Jags, pikes, GT's and Oscars obviously.

Plus for a good oddball, a senegal birchir, great fish, easily co-exist with what you already have, just for something a little different if you like those kinds of things.

 

[River Dog]

I agree with Minx, a severum would look great. As it is a different shape to your other fish, so would complement them nicely. A EBJD would probably be too aggressive with your current Cichlids. A rotkiel is a perfect choice imo.

 

[tenohfive]

Would I get away with a Nicaraguan cichlid and a Sev (agree on Rotkeils, think they're beautiful) or is it an either/or choice?

 

[tenohfive]

Would I get away with a Nicaraguan cichlid and a Sev (agree on Rotkeils, think they're beautiful) or is it an either/or choice?

Bump, anyone? If I'm being greedy please say so - I don't mind. If its an option then so much the better.

 

[holidayinn]

All the above are top suggestions, just wanted to touch upon the EBJD. I have a 8" male and he is the least aggressive cichlid I have ever kept. Maybe cos he is so much bigger then everyone else he doesnt see any need to be aggressive. Also, the quality of EBJDs is improving, I remember a few years back my local MA used to sell poor specimens and only a short supply, these days they have a large quantity and excellent specimens. You do however need to be careful with them when they are young (decrease competitiveness) and it should be lined up as the most dominant fish in the tank LT imo.

 

[minxfishy]

Would I get away with a Nicaraguan cichlid and a Sev (agree on Rotkeils, think they're beautiful) or is it an either/or choice?

Bump, anyone? If I'm being greedy please say so - I don't mind. If its an option then so much the better.

Hi Chris, sorry not to get back to you sooner.

If you want to add a severum to the tank, then its the only other cichlid you could add, due to size, plus the others you already have.

The nic's can be aggressive, my female is particularly nasty even to my GT and Oscar, she harrassed to death her 'sister' within a matter of weeks, plus they can reach 6"+ so unfortunately as both are lovely fish, its a case of one or the other Im afraid.

Personally again, I would go with the severum, whilst I love both of these fish, as I say, my female is a Biatch

 

[tenohfive]

Thanks for the advice guys. If I do go ahead I'm not writing off the EBJD completely, but if I were to get one it sounds like I'd need to get an older one and get it when I'm off work, so I could watch them and if aggression does become an issue return him.

Like you, I love Sevs and given their fairly peaceful nature I'm sorely tempted. Nic's are stunning but the aggression issue is a concern.

I'll have a think on it, and see if I can sway my other half round to the idea.