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I know this may be a stupid question to you all....but I have alot to learn about cichlids as I populate my 55g tank.

I like the looks of both the Blue and the Red cichlid.

Are they OK with each other?
And singly or in pairs with other fish?
(not interested in breeding now)

About how many semi-aggressive fish like those (and Convicts, Green Terrors and others can I have without trouple with species, please ?

Hi there and welcome

Could you add the species names please ? There are many blue ciclids as well as red.




The Amazon Nut...

Thank you,

Red----Cichlasoma portalegrense
http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_port.php
http://www.aquariumlife.net/profiles/south-american-cichlids/red-port-acara/100138.asp


Blue---Aequidens Pulcher
http://www.aquariumlife.net/profiles/south-american-cichlid/blue-acara/100041.asp

Red Port Acara & Blue Acara. Great choices of fish.
No question is stupid, we're all here to learn

a) are they ok with each other = yes if enough space and territory is provided. They're roughly same size and temperament. There can be exceptions, based on the personalities of individual fish. With cichlids it's always a crap shoot, expect the unexpected. Good tip - always have a tank divider ready, even if temporary in case one turns out to be a real bully. If you get a bully you'll want to rehome it, so try and choose carefully.

You need approx 30g per acara according to your links. I'd say a pair of them in your 55 and you'd be fine, adding a firemouth may work out well. Research that more, some would not want to mix SA and CA, myself included. Good filtration and weekly water changes required. I'd skip the convicts but this is your tank.

b) "and singly or in pairs with other fish ?"
You could do either, but your interest will remain higher keeping a group of fish over a solitary one for years.

Green terrors are commonly kept with blue acaras, and they will mate. Green terrors are awesome. The one I had was VERY aggresive and loved to dig.

I hope that was of some help for ya.

Having less tank space myself, I've really gotten bit by the bug for 'dwarf acaras'. Laetacara Dorsigera, L Curviceps, Keyhole Cichlids....Smaller, ideal for plant tanks, and can keep with a larger variety of tankmates such as rams, apistos etc. Peaceful but can still display that cichlid attitude that makes them so interesting




The Amazon Nut...

Thanks DaMossMan,

After hearing what you said, I think I'd better chose between the Red and Blue Acaras. I love the 4 little Convicts in the tank. They are little (yet)but very hungry and active, eagerly coming to the front of the tank when I kneal down in front....schooling all together all around the tank. I TRULY love schooling fish and would like to get other fish that school together(my other 55g freshwater tank is full of Bala Sharks).

Although, I guess cichlids are more solitary and territorial, any suggestions on which type (colorful) other ichlids that school, please? (or schooling non-cichlids that would be compatible with them in a cichlid tank?)

I really thing the little Green Terror is colorful and will get even more as it (he/she)matures.

I think since the Blue Acara gets more color, I might just stay with a pair of them (and not get the Red, although I like it's long fin structure)...your thoughts, DaMossMan?

I guess cichlids are more solitary and territorial

Many are good with tankmates, providing adequate tank space and territory taken into consideration & some research going onto what cichlids are chosen. Overcrowding leads to it's own problems too.

any suggestions on which type (colorful) other ichlids that school, please? (or schooling non-cichlids that would be compatible with them in a cichlid tank?)

2 acaras and 4 convicts, you're fully stocked.
Skip the pleco (unless it's a bristlenose) and get a good canister filter, or run 2 hobs. Convicts can be aggressive especially if spawning occurs, and limits what other fish could be added.

The fish profiles in here have alot of info, and google is also a great tool. Plan your tank out and let us know what you come up with or if you need blanks filled in. Sounds like you have a fun setup in mind.

Good luck !

The Amazon Nut...

My 55g tank is set up with black gravel(and light blue "greek ruins" background paper) that make the fish that I have seem to want to darken their colors, and is great.

I use 2 Marineland Emperor 400 dual biowheel filters in the tank together.

There are lots of Very natural looking plastic plants for cover and nesting/hiding at each end of the tank....and fair amount of "open space" in the middle.

In it I currently only have 4 baby Convicts, a very small Green Terror and a clown loach.

I should be able to get 1 Blue Acara(when I can find one)to maybe breed with the Terror, right?

I should be able to get 1 Blue Acara(when I can find one)to maybe breed with the Terror, right?

You can but the prob is you have to try to add an acara the same size as the terror. From the size you're sayin they're too young to tell male from f/m. I guess pick one out, and let fate take it's course

The Amazon Nut...

OK,
The Terror is approx. 2 1/2 inches long and has very colorful green spot on the dorsal fin, and stripes on side of head....it that too small to tell it's sex/gender?

I'd like to have 1 bottom scavaging catfish too.
(the largish Clown Loach seems frantic and not happy, because, it's alone (I guess). I have other largish(also about 3 inches) ones in my Bala Shark community tank...should I give him a tank mate? Or remove the 1 now there, replacing with a catfish)

What varieties of catfish would you recommend, please?

Heya,

"The Terror is approx. 2 1/2 inches long.....it that too small to tell it's sex/gender?"

Yes. Once mature you'll be able to. A breeder might be able to sooner. Some cichlids very hard to tell.

"I'd like to have 1 bottom scavaging catfish too."
Keep it small as they tend to make more waste then they get rid of. A bristlenose pleco would work well and stays 5 inches.

"(the largish Clown Loach seems frantic and not happy, because, it's alone (I guess)."
Clown loaches are schooling fish, they also love hiding spots to call their own, such as a cave. It'll also outgrow the tank possibly.

"I have other largish(also about 3 inches) ones in my Bala Shark community tank...should I give him a tank mate? Or remove the 1 now there, replacing with a catfish)"
May as well leave them where they are, add a bristlenose pleco for an algae eater.

"What varieties of catfish would you recommend, please?"
Covered


The Amazon Nut...

I have 2 Bristlenoses in my 55g community tank. I'll move one over to the cichlid tank. I had thought they would be bigger by now...it's only 2 inches long (only a 1/4 inch larger than when I bought it 1 1/2 yrs ago!)

Are you saying leave the single clown loach in the cichlid tank by it's self? (or put it back with it's other buddies in the community tank)

Forgive me if I don't clearly understand some of your suggestions, my helpful knowledgable Canadian friend.
(I so much appreciate your suggestions....you are the only one who is taking the time to advise me, thank you)

Yup. move a BN over to the cichlid tank, and the clown back with it's buddy (try to add a new hiding spot too). BN's seem to grow alot slower then the average pleco. I've had one for a few years now and maybe 2.5 inches size.

I'm happy to help. If I'm helping your SA addiction too, then so be it. They're my fave fish too. If something is not understood, it's important to clarify.

"(I so much appreciate your suggestions....you are the only one who is taking the time to advise me, thank you)"

You're quite welcome, and welcome to FP The others probably figure I got it covered, if I suggested something wrong, or additional thoughts, they will jump right in I'm sure. Many knowledgable folks here.

We'll also want to see tank and fish pics. If you click my name then in my profile there's a link so some of my older ones.

Cheers


The Amazon Nut...

Pictures of my tank?...sure!
Let the little guys get a little bigger 1st, though (many hide and it's not too impressive "fish-wise" yet. But I will in awhile. Thanks for asking. I'm excited about having a cichlid tank again after 30yrs (yes, I'm on "older fart"...Ha!)

Years ago, I had a 125g tank with Really Aggressive fish (like Oscars, Red Devils, etc.)that ended up killing each other...until only one huge bulligerant oscar remainded.
(No more Oscars or Red Devils for me!!)

BTW, friend.....was did you mean by "SA Addiction"...Ha! (South/Central American?)

OK, I just took a photo of the tank and put it in my profile (again hardly any little fish show yet)

I'm 36. Been keeping fish on and off since a kid. Part of me is still that kid and I'm still excited about the hobby although I'll burn out sometimes and need breaks, I always return. It's a great hobby

"what did you mean by "SA Addiction"...Ha!"
South American of course For me it started with oscars and piranhas as a kid. I went planted about 4 yrs ago, sa dwarfs just a matter of time from there.

Your photo didn't show, here's the correct link to your site. Both folders will display. I only have one folder, you have to sign into photobucket to load more pics.

http://s195.photobucket.com/albums/z296/daddySEAL/Fish/

Cheers

The Amazon Nut...

thanks, friend
I'll have to learn more about posting groups on that site.

BTW, which do you think is the most colorful SA/CA Cichlid?

Out of SA, I'd say from the dwarfs, german blue rams and Laetacara Dorsigera have very nice color.

Lots of cichlids with nice color, and personal preference to which you like best. Acaras are colorful too.

CA cichlids I don't know enough to say really...

The Amazon Nut...

Cool,
I like the looks of the German Blue Rams!

Some photos I pulled up in the web were showed only subdued colors....but others were very strikingly beautiful.

I'll get a few (2)...(or 4)?
You'll thoughts on the numbers, friend?

Adding them to your cichlid tank would be a bad idea as the others will be alot larger and more aggressive. The convicts would kill them in short order.

What's all in your community tank and how many gallon ?

The Amazon Nut...

I'm taking back 3 of the Convicts, so I'll have only one Convict(to not breed and get "excited".

Otherwise 1 little Green Terror, and a Bristlenose Pleco.

I'll be getting a Blue Acara soon(I found some across town the same size as the Terror...6cm)...to maybe breed with the Terror(maybe, who knows what sex each will be?...Ha!
I really don't care, as long as they are colorful) I'm still too much of a cichlid "newbie" to think about breeding (hybrids, especially) until I learn a lot more!