Which Would You Choose?

[Dt524]

Hey everyone,

I'm trying to start a community tank with all fish from the same area; sort if like a biotope but not so in depth. But, I'm having a hard time choosing which side of the atlantic I want to stay on haha. I either want convicts and firemouths with a miss of robust tetras and corys or from western african kribs and jewels with fish from there area. Which one would you guys pick if you had the chance. The tank size is a 55 gallon.

Thanks

 

[snowflake311]

Firemouth .

 

[Joller]

same, but thats just my opinion

 

[shelaghfishface]

have you looked at Steatocranus Casuarius relatively peacefull tho can be aggressive towards its own kind,, max out at (m)6.5inches (f) 4 inches
requires a tank with several caves- they can be quite shy

they are stunning fish a little bit different

 

[markandhisfish]

Firemouth .

just to throw a spanner in the works have you considered thorychtis ellioti ( probs spelt wrong) a close relative of the firemouth but more peacefull and imo much more attractive ( not to say firemouths arent nice of course)

 

[Dt524]

shelaghfishface- I just checked outh the Steatocranus Casuarius. I have to say they are pretty amazing; I've never seen anything like that ever. I doubt I'll be able to find it around my neighborhood if I tried.

markandhisfish- I've heard of people talking about those before on this forum they are alot more attractive than firemouths. Do they have the same mannerism?

Thanks everyone for your help

 

[minxfishy]

Thorichthys Ellioti or Aureus are from the same family as Thorichthys Meeki (Firemouth) however, IME they are far more peaceful than the FM, but much better colouration, otherwise they are pretty much the same, same water requirements, food etc, if you can find some, then I would suggest them, as opposed to the african cichlids, however, your choice may come down to your water, meaning, ph and hardness, as the SA/CA cichlids will prefer a lower ph, from 6.4 - 7.6, soft/acidic whereas the Africans will prefer a ph above 7.8 and hard/alkaline water. Whilst most fish are tank bred and will tolerate out of their range, it is something to consider when deciding on which species to keep.

 

[broessle]

all american babby!! haha f ya amuuhrika!

no but seriously I've been keeping Africans for a while, specificly mbuna. About a month ago I got a new tank set up with a breeding group of geophagus steindachnari and could not be happier! For what they lack in color they make up in character. I'm looking to get another tank going and will most definatley be going SA or CA with it. so get those firemouths!