So. America Cichlids Suggestions

[Steve]

Group,

I have a 55 gal well established tank the needs repopulating. I have had
angels for many years and they are starting to go (old age I think). I have
standard gravel with a undergravel filter and the pH is consistently between
6.3 and 6.5. Rather than get more angles I was thinking of going with fish
with more of a personality. Non-angel and non-discus Cichlids came to
mind. I don't want to turn the tank upside down by changing the gravel for
crushed coral to get the hard water so African cichlids are out.

Here is my question: What types of So American cichlids would work under
those conditions. Ideally I would like to have 3 varieties that can coexist
given enough structure. I plan on getting them young, how many of each
should I get? Would I need to cull them out for a pair of each type or
would 3 or 4 of a type work?

I think I know just enough to be dangerous so I am looking for experience.

Thanks,
Steve

[rmc]

Take a look at the varieties of Geophagus and Satanoperca. Biotidoma
Cupido is another nice fish. Be aware that most of these species need
excellent water conditions or you will be having troubles.

--

Mark
http://www.cichliddomain.com


"Steve" > wrote in message
news:XEt2b.258819$uu5.59664@sccrnsc04...
> Group,
>
> I have a 55 gal well established tank the needs repopulating. I
have had
> angels for many years and they are starting to go (old age I think).
I have
> standard gravel with a undergravel filter and the pH is consistently
between
> 6.3 and 6.5. Rather than get more angles I was thinking of going
with fish
> with more of a personality. Non-angel and non-discus Cichlids came
to
> mind. I don't want to turn the tank upside down by changing the
gravel for
> crushed coral to get the hard water so African cichlids are out.
>
> Here is my question: What types of So American cichlids would work
under
> those conditions. Ideally I would like to have 3 varieties that can
coexist
> given enough structure. I plan on getting them young, how many of
each
> should I get? Would I need to cull them out for a pair of each type
or
> would 3 or 4 of a type work?
>
> I think I know just enough to be dangerous so I am looking for
experience.
>
> Thanks,
> Steve
>
>

[RedForeman ©®]

"Steve" > wrote in message
news:XEt2b.258819$uu5.59664@sccrnsc04...
> Group,
>
> I have a 55 gal well established tank the needs repopulating. I have had
> angels for many years and they are starting to go (old age I think). I
have
> standard gravel with a undergravel filter and the pH is consistently
between
> 6.3 and 6.5. Rather than get more angles I was thinking of going with
fish
> with more of a personality. Non-angel and non-discus Cichlids came to
> mind. I don't want to turn the tank upside down by changing the gravel
for
> crushed coral to get the hard water so African cichlids are out.
>
> Here is my question: What types of So American cichlids would work under
> those conditions. Ideally I would like to have 3 varieties that can
coexist
> given enough structure. I plan on getting them young, how many of each
> should I get? Would I need to cull them out for a pair of each type or
> would 3 or 4 of a type work?

Severums are GREAT for personality... had two, should have more, they are
real fun fish.... 1M 3F is a good combo...

[TZ]

I agree, Severums are a great cichlid fish.
not too agressive, yet not totally wusses like disks and angles.
not fussy about their food, they eat anything from peas,
flake, lettuce, to blood worms, beef heart, and misc bugs.

I think they eat almost all aquatic plants though, except the
slow growing plastic ones.

I've got four 3" long golden severums in a 75gallon, with
6 zebra danios, 6 strawberry/blueberry tetras, 2 keyhole
tetras, 3 platies, 4 female bettas, and a dwarf african frog.


TZ


"RedForeman ©®" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Steve" > wrote in message
> news:XEt2b.258819$uu5.59664@sccrnsc04...
> > Group,
> >
> > I have a 55 gal well established tank the needs repopulating. I have
had
> > angels for many years and they are starting to go (old age I think). I
> have
> > standard gravel with a undergravel filter and the pH is consistently
> between
> > 6.3 and 6.5. Rather than get more angles I was thinking of going with
> fish
> > with more of a personality. Non-angel and non-discus Cichlids came to
> > mind. I don't want to turn the tank upside down by changing the gravel
> for
> > crushed coral to get the hard water so African cichlids are out.
> >
> > Here is my question: What types of So American cichlids would work
under
> > those conditions. Ideally I would like to have 3 varieties that can
> coexist
> > given enough structure. I plan on getting them young, how many of each
> > should I get? Would I need to cull them out for a pair of each type or
> > would 3 or 4 of a type work?
>
> Severums are GREAT for personality... had two, should have more, they are
> real fun fish.... 1M 3F is a good combo...
>
>

[Haywire]

Agreed, the lower pH would be great for any of the river species, but watch
their aggression when they get ready to spawn.

Also look at Key Holes and Festivums, oh yeah Rams!

"Martin Sorensen[2840]" > wrote in
:

> "Steve" > wrote in message
> news:c0A2b.259610$o%2.119346@sccrnsc02...
>> Thanks for some good ideas. What about Flag (cichlasma festivum) and
>> Kribensis, would they also work?
>>
>> Steve
>>
> Kribensis are African, but I think they would be quite happy anyway.
>
> Most smaller non-lake cichlids would do IMHO.
>
> /Martin
>
>
>

[Zimm44]

Chocolate Cichlids are beautiful too.

[Bob K.]

>> Chocolate Cichlids are beautiful too.
>
>Yeah they are, not so much chocolate color, but a reddish pink, somewhat
>orange too.... very nice looking active, but not TOO aggressive either

Funny, Aquarium magazine article on them says they are aggressive..

Bob

[rmc]

Your Mileage May Vary

--

Mark
http://www.cichliddomain.com


"The Madd Hatter" > wrote in message
e.rogers.com...
> What is YMMV? I suck at acronyms
>
> "RedForeman ©®" > wrote in message
> ...
> > > >Yeah they are, not so much chocolate color, but a reddish pink,
> somewhat
> > > >orange too.... very nice looking active, but not TOO aggressive
either
> > >
> > > Funny, Aquarium magazine article on them says they are
aggressive..
> > >
> > > Bob
> >
> > As I've learned, everything that is said about cichlids should be
followed
> > with a YMMV, or atleast it to be understood that, it's all
relative....
> I've
> > had a few zebras that were bullies, and some gouramis that could
kick it's
> > ass... so go figure...
> >
> >
>
>

[Mephistopheles]

(Bob K.) wrote in
:

>>> Chocolate Cichlids are beautiful too.
>>
>>Yeah they are, not so much chocolate color, but a reddish pink,
>>somewhat orange too.... very nice looking active, but not TOO
>>aggressive either
>
> Funny, Aquarium magazine article on them says they are aggressive..
>
> Bob
>
>
In my experience, chocolate cichlids are "sneaky aggressive". They are
somewhat reclusive (preferring a low light aquarium), so you will
generally not see them chasing fish around the way a Central American
cichlid might. However, when you are not looking, they will slowly pick
apart a vulnerable fish they do not like. Also, somewhat like Oscars,
they are very food-oriented and will be aggressive during feeding time.

Meph