Cichlid Tanks - talk to me!
Discussion
I have finally moved up in the tank world slightly, from an 80l tropical setup (for the last 10 yrs or so) to a juwel 190l corner tank.
Its sat full of water etc waiting to be stocked. It has the intergral fitler system at the mo, but in the future would put an external filter in the cabinet when i get big fish grown.
I fancy trying different fish for a change. I have kept most community fish over the years and also dabbled in soft water Killifish.
I now want something different, and based on a larger tank i though of trying some larger specimine feature fish.
I saw some lovely oscars and one would be lovely.
Also want to think about a species tank of cichlid types.
any advice/ideas?
Its sat full of water etc waiting to be stocked. It has the intergral fitler system at the mo, but in the future would put an external filter in the cabinet when i get big fish grown.
I fancy trying different fish for a change. I have kept most community fish over the years and also dabbled in soft water Killifish.
I now want something different, and based on a larger tank i though of trying some larger specimine feature fish.
I saw some lovely oscars and one would be lovely.
Also want to think about a species tank of cichlid types.
any advice/ideas?
Oscars are lovely characterful fish - but by god are they messy, stubborn, and can be anti-social. If you decide to go down that route, I'd recommend a good external filter (or two).
My old oscar also liked to dig - he'd rearrange his tank regularly so plants are not going to survive, and be careful with him bashing rocks around (mine cracked the tank glass!). Oh, and he developed a dislike for the tank light to be on - so he was generally in a dark tank, with all the gravel and sand piled up in one corner - not the most attractive of set-ups. However, his redeeming feature was that he was a real character, would eat from my hand (or try to eat my hand) and generally made me laugh with his antics.
To be honest, if the tank is the one that I'm thinking of, it might not be big enough for a pair of oscars (they prefer company, but tend to need to grow up together to avoid fisticuffs at dawn - my experience, but may not be the same for all). Its been a while since I had Oscars, but I had two in a 6ft tank with just a plec for company (then just one oscar and the plec for a number of years), and I'm not sure they would have suited a smaller tank.
Smaller cichlids may be the way forward - seem to recall a fabulous cichlid tank on the "show me your tank" thread - might be worth checking that out for some inspiration. I'm tempted to go down that route myself at some point, but apparently we don't have room for any more tanks
Post pics though - always interested to see what other people are doing with their tanks.
My old oscar also liked to dig - he'd rearrange his tank regularly so plants are not going to survive, and be careful with him bashing rocks around (mine cracked the tank glass!). Oh, and he developed a dislike for the tank light to be on - so he was generally in a dark tank, with all the gravel and sand piled up in one corner - not the most attractive of set-ups. However, his redeeming feature was that he was a real character, would eat from my hand (or try to eat my hand) and generally made me laugh with his antics.
To be honest, if the tank is the one that I'm thinking of, it might not be big enough for a pair of oscars (they prefer company, but tend to need to grow up together to avoid fisticuffs at dawn - my experience, but may not be the same for all). Its been a while since I had Oscars, but I had two in a 6ft tank with just a plec for company (then just one oscar and the plec for a number of years), and I'm not sure they would have suited a smaller tank.
Smaller cichlids may be the way forward - seem to recall a fabulous cichlid tank on the "show me your tank" thread - might be worth checking that out for some inspiration. I'm tempted to go down that route myself at some point, but apparently we don't have room for any more tanks
Post pics though - always interested to see what other people are doing with their tanks.
I'd heard about the antics of oscars, and the character kinda appeals - rather than a fish that dosent interact at all. however i have heard more and more about how messy they are with food, hence the need for big filtration. also i know that a pair need to be togheer form small to get on, but agree that my tank may only be big enough for one big specimine.
I have just found the cichlid form, so will have a good read too.
thx
I have just found the cichlid form, so will have a good read too.
thx
Way too small for Oscars IMO. They're cracking fish but even for a single Oscar that's far too small IMO, and most of the fishkeepers I speak to.
http://www.seriouslyfish.com/profile.php?genus=Ast...
Right, sticking to new world (Central/South American) cichlids for now as that's what I know (and love) best. You could certainly do a Tanganyikan setup of that size but I've only kept Tangs for a short time and never really hit it off with them. You could also do dwarf cichlids but I'll post about them later if they interest you.
Firstly: for anything other than dwarf cichlids (Rams/Apisto's etc) 190L requires very careful stocking. I say this from experience - my first new world tank was 180L. That took a huge amount of planning and several stocking changes before it the aggression levels became stable. 190L is doable, but it's about the smallest you can get away with. If you're careful you should get away with 3 different cichlids (but not any 3) and some dither fish - fast movers like praecox rainbows, danio's or barbs. I'd aim for 3 different species though - a male/female pair of just about any cichlid will become merciless to other occupants when breeding.
With new world cichlids you have to be very careful for the simple reason that the wrong mix of species (or even personalities - yes, cichlids have personalities) will result in fish that are bullied to death. They're aggressive and territorial, and sometimes a mix of species that should work doesn't because one fish is more of a b
d than is normal. That's pretty common.
My tank initially started with a Blue Acara, a T.Ellioti and a Sajica. All beautiful fish, but despite a lot of different tricks including rescaping, removing and reintroducing the biggest bully (so he wouldn't have a territory and the others would have half a chance) I ended up with a half dead Sajica. I had to return the Acara and ended up with a Rainbow Cichlid, Sajica and Ellioti.
Some fish to consider:
Rainbow cichlid - I've still got mine in a much bigger setup. He's the smallest and he's the least colourful (granted, the other occupants are stunners, and they colour up when mature) but he's far and away my favourite fish of all time. Full of character, always watching what's going on and whilst quite placid he'll give my female Nicaraguan (female Nic's are notoriously aggressive) a run for her money when she pushes her luck - something which made me PMSL when I first saw it. I love him to bits and would recommend them to anyone.
http://www.seriouslyfish.com/profile.php?genus=Her...
Sajica - can be quite pushy and the body colouring isn't as impressive, but another fish that's full of character. And their eyes are beautiful. Mine karked it for some reason (never sussed out what) after moving over to a bigger tank, and I still miss him.
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?...
T.Ellioti - beautiful colouring and reasonably peaceful, though like any NW cichlid - they aren't shy either. Similar care to a Firemouth.
Firemouth - similar to Ellioti really.
http://www.seriouslyfish.com/profile.php?genus=Tho...
Keyholes - I've never kept them but they've a reputation of being one of the most peaceful cichlids but quite shy. Probably best with other relatively peaceful cichlids.
http://www.seriouslyfish.com/profile.php?genus=Cle...
Festivum/Flag cichlid - another peaceful one, and an unusual body shape.
http://www.seriouslyfish.com/profile.php?genus=Mes...
Blue Acara - I've heard them recommended but my one was a sulky sod. If he saw me moving he'd hide but would otherwise treat the whole tank as his territory and bully to near death anything else. I've heard of others that weren't so bad and were happier coming out but I'd be wary of adding one to a 190L tank.
http://www.seriouslyfish.com/profile.php?genus=And...
My one overriding piece of advice is be realistic and recognise if your plan hasn't worked - you'll know when the tank aggression isn't going to balance out, and when you do you'll need to take steps to rehome one or more fish. Sometimes a stocking that should work just doesn't - don't be shy about taking fish back to the shop if you have to.
I hope this hasn't put you off in any way - it shouldn't, the effort spent planning, scaping, rescaping, chopping and changing stocking was all completely worth it. I've been forced to go from 8 tanks with different fish types to 1 over the last year or so, and that one remaining tank is a NW cichlid tank and it's my pride and joy.
http://www.seriouslyfish.com/profile.php?genus=Ast...
Right, sticking to new world (Central/South American) cichlids for now as that's what I know (and love) best. You could certainly do a Tanganyikan setup of that size but I've only kept Tangs for a short time and never really hit it off with them. You could also do dwarf cichlids but I'll post about them later if they interest you.
Firstly: for anything other than dwarf cichlids (Rams/Apisto's etc) 190L requires very careful stocking. I say this from experience - my first new world tank was 180L. That took a huge amount of planning and several stocking changes before it the aggression levels became stable. 190L is doable, but it's about the smallest you can get away with. If you're careful you should get away with 3 different cichlids (but not any 3) and some dither fish - fast movers like praecox rainbows, danio's or barbs. I'd aim for 3 different species though - a male/female pair of just about any cichlid will become merciless to other occupants when breeding.
With new world cichlids you have to be very careful for the simple reason that the wrong mix of species (or even personalities - yes, cichlids have personalities) will result in fish that are bullied to death. They're aggressive and territorial, and sometimes a mix of species that should work doesn't because one fish is more of a b
d than is normal. That's pretty common.My tank initially started with a Blue Acara, a T.Ellioti and a Sajica. All beautiful fish, but despite a lot of different tricks including rescaping, removing and reintroducing the biggest bully (so he wouldn't have a territory and the others would have half a chance) I ended up with a half dead Sajica. I had to return the Acara and ended up with a Rainbow Cichlid, Sajica and Ellioti.
Some fish to consider:
Rainbow cichlid - I've still got mine in a much bigger setup. He's the smallest and he's the least colourful (granted, the other occupants are stunners, and they colour up when mature) but he's far and away my favourite fish of all time. Full of character, always watching what's going on and whilst quite placid he'll give my female Nicaraguan (female Nic's are notoriously aggressive) a run for her money when she pushes her luck - something which made me PMSL when I first saw it. I love him to bits and would recommend them to anyone.
http://www.seriouslyfish.com/profile.php?genus=Her...
Sajica - can be quite pushy and the body colouring isn't as impressive, but another fish that's full of character. And their eyes are beautiful. Mine karked it for some reason (never sussed out what) after moving over to a bigger tank, and I still miss him.
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?...
T.Ellioti - beautiful colouring and reasonably peaceful, though like any NW cichlid - they aren't shy either. Similar care to a Firemouth.
Firemouth - similar to Ellioti really.
http://www.seriouslyfish.com/profile.php?genus=Tho...
Keyholes - I've never kept them but they've a reputation of being one of the most peaceful cichlids but quite shy. Probably best with other relatively peaceful cichlids.
http://www.seriouslyfish.com/profile.php?genus=Cle...
Festivum/Flag cichlid - another peaceful one, and an unusual body shape.
http://www.seriouslyfish.com/profile.php?genus=Mes...
Blue Acara - I've heard them recommended but my one was a sulky sod. If he saw me moving he'd hide but would otherwise treat the whole tank as his territory and bully to near death anything else. I've heard of others that weren't so bad and were happier coming out but I'd be wary of adding one to a 190L tank.
http://www.seriouslyfish.com/profile.php?genus=And...
My one overriding piece of advice is be realistic and recognise if your plan hasn't worked - you'll know when the tank aggression isn't going to balance out, and when you do you'll need to take steps to rehome one or more fish. Sometimes a stocking that should work just doesn't - don't be shy about taking fish back to the shop if you have to.
I hope this hasn't put you off in any way - it shouldn't, the effort spent planning, scaping, rescaping, chopping and changing stocking was all completely worth it. I've been forced to go from 8 tanks with different fish types to 1 over the last year or so, and that one remaining tank is a NW cichlid tank and it's my pride and joy.
Edited by tenohfive on Tuesday 6th December 19:49
Fab advice Tenofive, thanks.
i found the cichlid forum yesterday and they have a section on stocking a new tank with some suggestions of stock:
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/cookie_cutte...
I learned so much and am now slowly learning the different groups/regions of cichlids. I am being drawn to a Lake Malawi or Tanganyika tank setup i think.
As much as i love the idea of an oscar (with their character etc) i realise that this may not happen.
I may stick to the smaller cichlid breeds of the same region.
I will have a good read in a mo of the breeds you have linked to.
i am in no rush to stock, and will take my time, and fingers crossed get it right. The aquarium places i've been to locally have been pretty helpful, and i will discuss buying stock with them and check how they feel about returns.
Have you/anyone got feelings/experience about buying fish on ebay? I was surprised to see that they are widely available, and gets me access to a much wider range of stock.
edit: forgot to say: show a pic of your tank!
i found the cichlid forum yesterday and they have a section on stocking a new tank with some suggestions of stock:
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/cookie_cutte...
I learned so much and am now slowly learning the different groups/regions of cichlids. I am being drawn to a Lake Malawi or Tanganyika tank setup i think.
As much as i love the idea of an oscar (with their character etc) i realise that this may not happen.
I may stick to the smaller cichlid breeds of the same region.
I will have a good read in a mo of the breeds you have linked to.
i am in no rush to stock, and will take my time, and fingers crossed get it right. The aquarium places i've been to locally have been pretty helpful, and i will discuss buying stock with them and check how they feel about returns.
Have you/anyone got feelings/experience about buying fish on ebay? I was surprised to see that they are widely available, and gets me access to a much wider range of stock.
edit: forgot to say: show a pic of your tank!
Edited by mr2mk1chick on Wednesday 7th December 09:10
Personally I'd be wary of asking fish shops for advice on stocking - as I've said elsewhere, I've spent a lot of time on other forums correcting some of the piss poor advice out there. You do get some places that know what they're talking about but you get a lot more that sound confident whilst giving out advice thats 10 or 20 years out of date. I'd suggest doing your own research - this forum has a lot of experienced fishkeepers and is the place I go if I'm after some advice:
http://www.fishforums.net/
In terms of buying fish on ebay, I've never done it myself but I have had fish delivered by mail order from time to time and if the seller knows their stuff it's pretty safe. If you're considering mail order I'll give a shout for Wildwoods - they're in Enfield and do mail order. They're expensive but the quality is brilliant - I drive a long way to get to them but I'm rarely disappointed. But for a show piece tank (my NW tanks have always been in my front room) if you can find the stock locally then you might prefer to pick out the fish yourself as there's normally one or two in a tank that are head and shoulders above the rest.
I'll post up some photo's in the next couple of days if I can do the occupants any justice with my poor photography skills.
http://www.fishforums.net/
In terms of buying fish on ebay, I've never done it myself but I have had fish delivered by mail order from time to time and if the seller knows their stuff it's pretty safe. If you're considering mail order I'll give a shout for Wildwoods - they're in Enfield and do mail order. They're expensive but the quality is brilliant - I drive a long way to get to them but I'm rarely disappointed. But for a show piece tank (my NW tanks have always been in my front room) if you can find the stock locally then you might prefer to pick out the fish yourself as there's normally one or two in a tank that are head and shoulders above the rest.
I'll post up some photo's in the next couple of days if I can do the occupants any justice with my poor photography skills.
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