"Ersatz Anarchist" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 17 Sep 2003 17:48:32 -0400, "NetMax"
wrote:


"Ersatz Anarchist" wrote in message
.. .
After some research, I have decided to put together a cichlid
aquarium. I will probably get a 55 gallon tank, but may take the
plunge and get a 75 gallon tank. According to the LFS, my water is
slightly soft and has a ph of 7.1 (at least according to their test
strips). I was recommended to include 6 tiger barbs as dither fish.
I
want to include a catfish of some sort.

Some 55g and 75g are almost identical except for the front to back
width.
Some 55g are 12" wide, which I think you will find too narrow for the
fish you are considering and any significant amount of rocks and
driftwood. JMO

I decided on the 75 Gallon tank today. While the cost is higher, I
like the added depth of the tank.


1) I am interested in Firemouth and Convict Cichlids. They seem
to be hardy and relatively beginner friendly. Is a mix Firemouths
and
Convicts appropriate? What sort of stocking rate should I use for
such
a mixed tank (if appropriate), or if not, how many Firemouths or
Convicts should I put in a 55 gallon tank (or a 75 gallon tank)?

Until the Convicts and/or Firemouths breed (and it will be the
Convicts
first), the mix is ok. After they breed, you will have new and very
predictable challenges ;~) You could start with 4 juveniles of each
as
an example. That should get interesting in about 9 months.

Pardon me for being dense, but can I take from your response that once
the Convicts or Firemouths begin breeding that the tank will turn into
a war zone?

Perhaps not a war zone, but any understandings and alliances previously
established between the different fish will be changed. A spawning pair
will need to secure a site for their fry (including several inches around
it). Tank-mates need to respect that zone. There is sometimes a
disagreement as to whether this zone will be allowed and respected.
Failure to respect a Convict's 'fry zone' can & will lead to death, even
for larger fish. Convicts pair work very well as a team, either taking
turns at attacking intruders, or even attacking together like 2
side-by-side torpedoes. I've seen 2.5" Convicts secure a fry zone in a
tank of 6 to 8" Oscars & Acaras, and raise the fry. The Oscars were
_not_ pleased with the reduction in their allowed swimming area, so I
eventually pulled the Convict pair out to give the Oscars their tank
back.

2) Any recommendations as to a catfish choice? I assume that any
catfish that will be too large for the Cichlids to eat would be an
acceptable choice. Banjo cats look interesting (as do several
others).

For brutal efficiency, I like Pictus catfish. They also grow large
with
your cichlids, and don't generally stay still long enough for the
cichlids to bother them.

Any thoughts on a Striped Rafael? I saw one in the LFS last night and
thought it was pretty cool looking. They are South American and mostly
nocturnal. Since I was planning on having a fair bit of "structure" in
the tank, I thought it would be a nice addition.

I've got striped & spotted Rafaels and I'm not overly impressed with
them. All I ever see is their tails sticking out of shelters during the
day.

Can I mix Pictus and a Striped Rafael? The LFS indicated that Pictus
catfish do best in small groups. How many would you recommend to keep
them a happy group?

I usually keep only 1 Pictus at a time, because of their eventual size.
I currently have 2 in a 120g with cichlids. Initially they did not
tolerate each other's company graciously, but have now grown more
tolerant. IME, Pictus are solitary catfish, and are at the extreme of
what I'd call an aquarium-suitable fish. One IMHO would be plenty for a
75g, 3 would be 'two' much ;~)

NetMax


3) Any other thoughts for a newbie?

Not offhand. Be sure to cycle the tank properly. Overfilter. Do
lots
of waterchanges. Feed a wide variety of foods (smaller feedings but
often, is best). Raise the water temperture for growth & nice colour.
Lower the temperature if things get too agressive. Give them lots of
shelters. If they fight too much, take away all their shelters ;~)
...just the usual comments )

NetMax

Thanks for any and all input you may have!

Mark Cornell




Thank you again for all advice!

Mark