Central American cichlid tank startup tips??

[Mahi27]

Hi all. I want to do a ca cichlid tank bc they are insanely beautiful and I apparently just noticed. I've also done a lot of nano fishkeeping and would like to play with larger species other than the koi in my backyard. Anyway. But I am limited on space/finances, so I want to run some things by you guys. 

First, can I do like four 4-6" cichlids with ~6 brochis splendens in a 60 gallon tank? If not, what size is best?

Next, I kinda want to do several different species of cichlid. Namely salvini, firemouth, blue firemouth, and/or any cool eartheater in the appropriate size range. Would I need to do groups of each of these, or is one each OK? will they show better color in groups? Less aggression?

Lastly, just let me know if this is completely undoable and I need to reevaluate entirely. Rather learn the easy way than the hard way. Thank you in advance!!

[Fish Folk]

On 7/26/2022 at 7:14 PM, Mahi27 said:

Hi all. I want to do a ca cichlid tank bc they are insanely beautiful and I apparently just noticed. I've also done a lot of nano fishkeeping and would like to play with larger species other than the koi in my backyard. Anyway. But I am limited on space/finances, so I want to run some things by you guys. 

First, can I do like four 4-6" cichlids with ~6 brochis splendens in a 60 gallon tank? If not, what size is best?

Next, I kinda want to do several different species of cichlid. Namely salvini, firemouth, blue firemouth, and/or any cool eartheater in the appropriate size range. Would I need to do groups of each of these, or is one each OK? will they show better color in groups? Less aggression?

Lastly, just let me know if this is completely undoable and I need to reevaluate entirely. Rather learn the easy way than the hard way. Thank you in advance!!

This may be a journey for you. Medium-sized New World Cichlids (as opposed to Africans) tend to have some peculiar personalities. Generally speaking, you're asking for drama with the idea of mixing them. We've kept Firemouths and Andinoacara pulcher (Electric Blue Acaras) together semi-peacefully for awhile in a 55 gal. But Unfortunately, Threadfin Acaras mature and can turn into terribly aggressive creatures. Convict Cichlids are small, but are absolute fighters if they are guarding a spawn.

I'd suggest choosing a type of Cichlid you love getting a pair, adding some large Tetras, and allowing them to spawn and raise up fry. That's a great journey to watch.

 

Answering your questions:

4 - 6" Cichlids with ca. 6 Brooches splendens in a 60 gallon tank?

Depending on the Cichlid, this is possible. The Corydoras and Cichlids need to have defined space / safe-zones. Starting with younger Cichlids but mature Corys will help.

 

Salvini . . .

Beautiful, but when mature can be VERY aggressive and territorial. I'd almost _not_ recommend these unless you're absolutely passionate about them.

 

Firemouth . . .

Can be very beautiful when mature and well-fed. Tend to be the boss of the tank (and bullies at that) or to cower in the corner for fear of some larger Cichlid in the tank.

 

Eartheater / Geophagus . . .

Beautiful, but can be temperamental. Once mature, they need to be carefully kept in an environment where they can sift the substrate and get along with their tankmates. Males sometimes fight.

 

There are relatively few "peaceful" mid-sized Cichlids. But Acaras are about the only ones that are reasonably temperate. You can get away with some smaller cichlids, like Laetacara araguaie, etc.

 

I'd watch a bunch of videos by Jason over at PrimeTime Aquatics. He seems to have a good handle on Cichlid species, their respective temperaments, etc.

Edited July 27, 2022 by Fish Folk

[Brandon p]

I would stay species only but that is me.

[Fish Folk]

I suppose it would be fair to qualify my earlier reply. There are a _few_ mid-sized peaceful New World Cichlids. Though not necessarily 6" fish, the Keyhole Cichlid is a gentle species that I truly miss keeping. They're great with Rams, Tetras, etc.

Of course, Angelfish and Discus are also Cichlids. They're easily kept in community tanks.

But once you start peering far down the road of Jack Dempseys, Green Terrors, Jaguar Cichlids, etc . . . you're looking at a difficult tank to organize.

I'll mention that I've seen communities with different cichlids housed with those orange / reddish fish (oh what are they called...) -- Parrot Fish.

Severums are hit-and-miss temperamentally. Sometimes very nice. I like the "Green Severums." Kind of a stocky Angelfish with more potential attitude. Guard their brood pretty seriously.

[Brandon p]

On 7/27/2022 at 12:42 AM, Fish Folk said:

I suppose it would be fair to qualify my earlier reply. There are a _few_ mid-sized peaceful New World Cichlids. Though not necessarily 6" fish, the Keyhole Cichlid is a gentle species that I truly miss keeping. They're great with Rams, Tetras, etc.

Of course, Angelfish and Discus are also Cichlids. They're easily kept in community tanks.

But once you start peering far down the road of Jack Dempseys, Green Terrors, Jaguar Cichlids, etc . . . you're looking at a difficult tank to organize.

I'll mention that I've seen communities with different cichlids housed with those orange / reddish fish (oh what are they called...) -- Parrot Fish.

Severums are hit-and-miss temperamentally. Sometimes very nice. I like the "Green Severums." Kind of a stocky Angelfish with more potential attitude. Guard their brood pretty seriously.

I have kept green severums with a hodgepodge community tank. It worked out great for me, but I have heard it can be an issue some times. There are several severum but the green are the calmest. Calm might night be the right word however I think you match those up with

Rainbow cichlid stay small enough 3-4”and would go with serverum

[Odd Duck]

Festivums are a great size and quite peaceful in general, but more South American vs CA.  Keyholes, festivums, and acaras would be a pretty awesome combo.  Maybe a geophagus, too.

At least if you’re open to SA vs strictly CA.

[BradfordAquatics]

Central American cichlids have a reputation for being pretty aggressive. I'd agree with Fish Folk and pick a pair of one species. I think firemouths would probably be the best option if you really want to stick to central America. Watching them raise fry is really cool, although beware that they will produce tons of babies that can be tough to rehome.

[Mahi27]

Thank you all so much for your input! All of your replies were rich with new information for me and I appreciate your honest yet patient input on my original idea. I do love the look of the salvini the best, but if that species, but it they are really mean, I'll pass for now. I think I will do a breeding pair of a type of firemouth, the school of larger tetras, and probably a pleco too since I can't get enough of those guys. I'll post an update if/when I find the resources to get this idea off the ground!!!