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OK, I think this is one of those impossible riddles BUT I'm going to try anyway.

Can anyone think of a cichlid (or cichlids, if you're quite industrious!) that:
-prefers hard, basic water (I'd rather not subject, say, Angels to it, even though they could live in it)
-is safe with SAEs (and optionally, cories, Endler's, and N. brevis - but I can move those guys out if need be. The SAEs stay)
-Won't eat, dig up, rip, pick at, or otherwise injure plants (see, this is the part where it gets tough ... but to be fair, the tank used to have goldfish, so I'm a big fan of trusting "might eat plants/will eat sensitive plants" type fish in tempting situations)
-doesn't need big rock piles, etc - smallish caves, shells, etc can be provided.
-optional but really really really nice if possible: will hang out a good bit in the middle of the tank, rather than hugging the substrate constantly. To be fair, though, lots of mostly-bottom dwellers seem to hand about the middle once they're comfy, so it doesn't have to be a traditional mid-water option.

Anyone have any answers? The well of Molly is sadly dry (this is what comes when I spend too much time with Plato and Catullus and don't pick up my Baensch and Konings!).

-Molly
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I have not read all of it but a good Cichlid that is peaceful and can withstand most water off the top of my head is a Keyhole, prefereably keep them in groups of 3-6. They are quite shy but will get bolder with age. Also they get 4inches max and will not be able to eat any of your fish (well will be able to eat them but won`t as long as there appetites are satisfied). I will post more tomorrow!

Keyholes are okay, and a lot of people seem to like them - personally they don't ring my bell but I'm sure that was true of lots of things before I kept and loved them.
Of course, I'd have to remove the brevis, which is too bad.

-Molly
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Why would you have to remove the Brevis may I ask?

Yeah, Keyholes are very nice IMO but seems like they are not your cup of tea

[font color="#000080"]Yeah i agree with keyholes, they are lovely fish and once you keep them you seem to get attached to them. They're peaceful, grow to a good size and look nice as well.[/font]

Well, the brevis are fairly peaceful but anything as shy as a keyhole would surely be nipped up.

-Molly
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How about Bolivian Rams? They come from alkaline waters (around a 7.4 pH), are peaceful (for a cichlid), have a nice 'personality' (fishality?), and don't get too large (generally 7.5cm/3".

If the tank is big enough, I'd say go with angels if you like them. Mine are fine in the hard alkaline water here in buffalo. They have recently even shown some breeding habits, though I think they are both the same sex. They always show good color, and are very active. I bought these angels before I knew anything about the hobby and even cycled with them. Though I feel bad for subjecting them to the cycle, I don't feel like I subject them to poor water because of the pH and hardness.


Other than that, I'd suggest some type of ram as well.

Last edited by mattyboombatty at 26-Oct-2004 16:18

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

What size tank is it?

That would be helpful, I dunno if you have already said but can`t see it.

125 gallons.

-Molly
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[font color="#000080"]With a tank that size i think a larger type of cichlid would be better[/font]

I am trying to think of a large but peaceful cichlid, try pming Jason, he will know.

Maybe consider festivum?

Personally, I would go with angels. They are quite tolerant of hard water provided they are properly acclimated.

I know you requested Cichlid sp, but how about a tank of rainbowfish? They are lovely in a planted tank and there are many awesome species/colours to choose from including red, yellow, green and turquoise. Just another idea for consideration.

Last edited by heaven2 at 27-Oct-2004 14:16

Funny you should suggest rainbows ...

This is the tank in September 2001:


I loved my Boesmanis, but I'm not looking to go down the same path again. Thanks though, rainbowfish are definitely great fish that fit all of my requirements except that one.[/font]

-Molly
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Would Electric Yellows work or no?

IME, festivums can be a bit nippy when young, but are otherwise very beautiful and definitely a species I'd reccomend. Others would be rams, apistos, ceratin species of juli (I've heard good things about them, but I've never kept them myself, so I can't really say), discus (I keep mine in reasonably hard, alkaline water, and they are doing great), smiling acaras, ikrogeophags, and angels.

Last edited by Cup_of_Lifenoodles at 27-Oct-2004 15:59