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I need some help in planning my first BIG tank. I haven't purchased it yet, but I am coveting a 125g 72x18x22. I like the medium to large cichlids, and I think I would like to go with aggressives, but I am open to all suggestions. I would like to keep at least 1 or 2 pair of cichlids, like 2 Jack Dempseys and 2 Convicts. I really like the Jacks, and an lfs that seems to always have a ton of JD's says I could buy 6-8, see which ones pair up and bring back the rest. The two pair of cichlids would form the centerpiece to the tank. Is there any other fish, outside of the cichlid family, that could go with JD's and not be systematically converted to ammonia?

Thats the best way to get a pair i think it would be best to get a pair in the tank befor getting any other fish.

have you thought about Electric Blues, they grow to about 15cm
:Jeremy
:88)

Maybe some larger catfish and plecos...I can't really think of too much other than bottom-dwellers that could hold their own too well...

PM/email/msg me if you have any questions/comments regarding me or my knowledge or if you want me to read a thread.

Be careful when deciding that you want a pair. When cichlids pair up and spawn their aggression levels triple. What I'm saying is that by having a pair you are really reducing your options of having other fish in the tank. In my 125 I have 2 Blue Dempsey's, 2 species of Thoricyths(not firemouths), a carpintis escondido, a vieja synspilum, and a vieja regani. I also have a school of 5 clown loaches a scarlet pleco, 2-Gold nuggets, a snowball pleco, 2-Acanthicus Adonis and several rainbows as dithers. In my opinion the ones I listed above are some of the more colorful CA cichlids available and other options to put with them. When you ultimatly make your decision remember that each species has its own nutritional needs. A problem that I am having is feeding the omnivores/carnivores/herbivores what they each need. When choosing I would recommend choosing species that have the same nutritional needs. Although you can work around the differences. Just remember that bloat and dropsy can become a quick issue when feeding herbivores to much fat and protein.

In the end have fun with it and add what you like.

Thanks for the replies. I definitely will go with the Pleco, I'm not sure the Electric Blues could hang with the JD's, or even if I should mix cichlids from different continents. Or did you mean keep the alone with other Africans and ditch the JD's?

Go for a nice pair of fireheads, they are awesome looking fish.

The synspilum(fire head) is my personal fav but their quite a bit bigger than the humble jd my pair was 16 inch male and female 10inches fully grown. I now have a small male\female from their first spawning he\she is around 6inches and runs my 75g the two male jds that live with him no their place and if they step out of line there get a lap. Although this individual is more aggressive than any others iv had. Synspilums are great defenders my male when i first got him when in with my tex he got chased for around 4 days but what didn't kill him made him stronger and the tide turned and old tex had to be moved to the 125g.

Thanks! I checked out the Firehead here on the site profiles and you guys are right, they are magnificent. Are they difficult to find? I havent come across any at my lfs's.

In Aus they are almost unherd of not very commen but i don't know about over on the otherside of the world i picked myn up by chance at my local lfs they stock many rarer americans.