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Well, my older brother's quite embarassing favorite pasttime of dumpster diving has finally produced something good - I now own a fairly decent condition 45 gallon long tank. As I've been dreaming of having a sweet South American cichlid set-up, this is fabulous for me. I am considering getting two Dempseys or two Oscars, but as many newer aquarists, I can't help but wondering if it might not be a better idea to go against these larger fish so I can get more than two fish in such a large aquarium. Or do you think two really cool fish would make for a good and exciting aquarium? Or maybe instead of a pair of something, get two different types? Or maybe some other type of large cichlid? I'm open to all sort of ideas (to consider, even if I don't ultimately choose to go with them) I'm really excited about this and want it to be AMAZING. What do you guys think would go best in this?

Oooh....sweet find for a dumpster diver and his sibling.

I wouldn't recommend either Oscars or Dempseys for a 45. They both need a lot more room than that (IMO). Are you looking for aggressive SA fish or just neat looking SA Cichlids? Might I recommend any of the following SA Cichlids.....angels, rams, Apistogrammas, firemouths, maybe even a severum.

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~~Melissa~~
"Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder."

Some other large SA cichlids that would do nicely in there are blue acara, maybe 1 jack dempsey, convicts, or firemouths. You could also try african cichlids or just go with a community tank. Good luck.

I must concur that the two fish you have considered would be a tad to larg and territorial for a 45G. I would recommend going with a species crazy red suggsted and then with that you could get small SA scoolers to compliment the tank. also what did you have in mind for the actual setup of the tank? fake/real plants, rocks, trinkets? just curious since even the most beautiful fish won't look all that great in a 'meh' tank.

I'm adding a vote for a severum. Decent-sized, not terribly agressive IMO, good looking. My 'Tiny' () has grown from the size of a quarter to the 6" range in a year and a half. While that might not seem like much sevs are similar to discus and angels: their bodies have a lot of height as well as length. Tiny likes to be hand-fed and watches tv, but only certain shows. If something is on that he doesn't like (?) he hides behind 'his' piece of driftwood

A blue acara is another nice option.

One thing to remember with 'wet pets' is that you're limiting yourself on the number of fish in your tank. Two oscars are definitely a 'no' for a 45g.

And of course the ever-popular cookie cutter links: 40g]http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/cookie_cutter_40g.php[/link] and [link=55g

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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

I'd vote for either apistos, firemouths, Geophagus sp.'s... or maybe ONE jack dempsey or green terror...but that tank might be a tad small...

What are the dimmensions of the tank?

Theresa, thanks for "the ever-popular cookie cutter links" - I've never seen them before )
The tank is 48' long, 18' high, 12' wide.