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I just recently bought a new tank and was trying to decide what to put in it, since i have already gone with tons of african cichlids im thinking to go back to the old goodies the americans. I was thinking about getting 1 or 2 cichlids more then likely one because I really miss my old red devil, that died of an intestinal problem. What do you think i should have i've never had a green terror something that really interests me, i've had jack dempseys bred them many times sold the bunch. Something new, sw was tempting but i still haven't had the guts to commit to that yet. I want to know you ideas as to what the tank should consist of.


Thnx, Jordan

Welcome to FP

The suggestions we'd give you would come from 2 things, our own personal tastes in fish, and size of your tank.
I'd suggest something like angels or discus and someone else the opposite. The choice is yours !

Also, do you want wild caught or domestic / farm bred ?

The ph of your tapwater would also be useful in choosing your fish. It's much easier to choose a fish that will easily adapt to the water available, rather then having to constantly adapt the water to the fishes requirements.

Check out the fish profiles in this site for more info on various cichlids. Do any of the pics in there grab your attention ? This will make a great starting point.

The Amazon Nut...

Oh im not new to fp nor am i new to fish. I have quite hard water here, and africans did great in it. Aswell as central american cichlids. I don't need help in conditions, but i understand the concern. I would just like some feedback as to ideas.

I am really interested in the green terrors, might have one large solo tank. Can't decide, so basically if you had my tank what would you yourself put in it?

Oh btw thanks for the reply

I like the green terror idea and myself have thought about this as a possibility. I also peronally like red devils as a solo in a 75. Other guys I like are Trimac's and red terror/midas. If you want something a little different try something from the vieja genus as they have some nice looking large guys too like regani and blackbelts. I know I haven't helped you narrow anything down but that's the typical mind of starting a new tank. I have plans for a solo JD in a 55.

By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you'll be happy. If you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher.
Socrates-
I happen to have become a philosopher

Jaguar? They look pretty cool and i think one should to good in a 75 gallon tank.

male Jaguars get too big, can possibly do a female but their near impossible to sex until they get quite large.

By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you'll be happy. If you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher.
Socrates-
I happen to have become a philosopher

In my 75gl. I have two tin foil barbs (very large, have had them for years), jack dempsey, 2 clown loaches, sae (I have had him for 6 years), 2 emerald cats, 8 giant danios. This group seems to get along fine. Make sure there is a cave for the dempsy. She is not mean, only likes her own space.

Barb

Green terrors are really interesting fish you would probably enjoy keeping one

One thing to warn you of is that alot of people tire of
having a solitary fish in a tank for a long period of time. Consider if you are prepared to care for this type of fish for at least 5 to 8 years minimum.



The Amazon Nut...

Take a peek here for LOTS of ideas based upon a Central American Cichlid theme. You have a LOT of species to choose from.

In a 75, one way to go would be to try an out of the ordinary Thorichthys species - in a 75 they'd have space. How about Thorichthys helleri? That is quite an exotic, has a truly stunning appearance (check out the photo of the species on that site) and wouldn't place major demands on a 75.

If you fancy a challenge, how about Paraneetroplus bulleri? If you can FIND this rarity, it will be something special. Another beauty (and seriously rare) to consider would be Theraps coeruleus - Juan Miguel Artigas Azas has bred this fish.

Other less well known ones to look out for if you are happy with feisty fishes is Nandopsis tetracanthus, the Cuban Cichlid. It looks like a Guapote - bears a pretty striking resemblance to the better known Jaguar Cichlid - and has a fiery temperament. However, it is a considerably smaller fish than the Jaguar - it's a 20 cm fish as opposed to a 50 cm one! Whether or not you can find the species though is moot, given that it is purely endemic to Cuba, and imports of anything from there are likely to raise a few eyebrows.

Another attractive choice could be Hypsophrys nicaraguensis, a 16.5 cm fish that again would be seriously exotic. Beautiful in breeding colours, but again, it's a matter of tracking it down.

Finally, if you want something that has a truly pyroclastic temperament in a small package, you could go for the Poor Man's Tropheus Duboisi, as it's known, which despite the name is actually a Central American fish called Neetroplus nematopus. You'll soon see why it's called the Poor Man's Duboisi when you see it! Be advised though, that despite its small size, it is utterly ferocious when breeding. This article should give you an insight into this psychotic little demon of a fish!




Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

Ya i understand but in those 5-8 years those fish build up such a great personallity. Sorta like a dog , well to me atleast. I used to have a red devil for 2 years never got bored of him at all.

Ya im really interested in to green terrors they look stunning. The one thing I found was that the african fish mbuna, aul. they all lacked the personallity you can only get from the central and south american cichlids.

Well if it's personality you want, the selection I've given will prove to be interesting in more ways than one.

Especially if you decide to run with the demon Neetroplus. Mind you, finding someone who stocks it will be a fun exercise - usually it's a special order. You could always see if any of the specialist Cichlid societies have anyone living not too far away who is keeping this species (and possibly breeding it too).

Think it's time to page Jason_R_S here ...

The American Cichlid Association might be a good place to start if you want out of the ordinary Ca/SA species. Here you go - link to their website.

Among the people you'll find on that site is someone called Rusty Wessel. Unfortunate name if you have a bent for schoolboy humour, but I gather he's something special in the Cichlid world. If anyone on your continent can point you in the direction of some unusual Cichlids, and where to get them without remortgaging the house, chances are he'll be a good person to choose.


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

Although I love my Mbuna, I believe your right when it comes to personality and the personalization that can occur with a single large wet pet from a SA/CA cichlid. This is the reason why I have become a cichlid person in general b/c to me the community tanks are just boring, although they can be very beautiful.

Have you narrowed your choices down yet?

By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you'll be happy. If you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher.
Socrates-
I happen to have become a philosopher

I working on narrowing it down once i take a look at reasonable options I have, im from Western Canada so it may be hard to find those special fish Cali was talking about but they definately will be a thought if i can get them.

And yes I used to talk to Jason on here on the regular, hes the guy with the red tiger jag ? I think he also has midas or a red devil not sure as to I haven't seen him on here in a while.

if you look at my www. page you'll see some of the fish I have kept, although the big tank is with the parents right now with the same occupants. I plan on going to some lfs and checking out the options as soon as i find time.

how big were the JD's in the pic's & how did they get along with the RD?

By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you'll be happy. If you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher.
Socrates-
I happen to have become a philosopher

They were only 5-6inches in those pics , that was the jds tank first and they showed the rd who was boss when he tried to start a bussle. The rd was only in there for a few weeks before i moved him into his own 75gal.

By the end of the stay in the tank the rd began to become more aggressive and stood his own against the male jack, thats when i moved him into his own tank with some large catfish which never bothered him more scared him when they guarded there food.