Cichlid help

[Dyl123]

I currently have 1 Firemouth in a 40 gallon tank that is quite young, I am wondering if I could create a small Cichlid tank and am wondering what things I could keep with a Firemouth in a 40 gallon breeder.

 

[Munroco]

Firemouths , like many South American cichlids are fairly peaceful (except when breeding) They can get to about 6" reputedly but I've never seen one that big. Most will grow to about 4+inches. Some others that are peaceful are severum, geophagus sp. Blue acaras. There are a lot to choose from. They will all get to be fairly sizable fish though, so you couldn't house many, maybe 4 fish maximum. You may be better going with a couple of cichlids and a shoal of larger tetras or barbs.

 

[Dyl123]

In a separate tank I have 6 Buenos Aires tetra, if these came into the 40 breeder would I be able to have any other cichlids in with them too? Thanks

 

[Metalhead88]

I think the buenos aires tetra could work as a dither fish especially if they are close to max size.

Remember the tank size and stock for the fishes max size. Avoid large fish like severum, oscar, and most geophagus. You will want to stay away from anything that gets over 5 or 6 inches when fully grown.

I think you can do 2-3 cichlids depending on size with a school of tetras or barbs.

It's hard to recommend cichlid tank mates because most good firemouth tankmates get over 8 inches. You also do not want fish that are overly aggressive since a 40 breeder is only 3ft long. So fish like convicts are out.

Electric Blue Acara, more Firemouth, Keyhole Cichlid, and Rainbow cichlid would be great tankmates. These don't get huge and are not known to be overly aggressive.

 

[Crispii]

IMO, a 40-gallon aquarium is not a good long-term aquarium for firemouths. If you want to keep cichlids in a 40 gallon, then you can do South American dwarf cichlids (rams, checkerboards, Apistogramma, etc.), shell dwellers, or small African cichlid species (kribensis, yellow labs, etc.). Just like keeping any other fish, you need to know the GH of your aquarium and whether or not you want to keep SA cichlids or Africans. South American cichlids will need soft water while African cichlids will need hard water.

 

[Dyl123]

I think the buenos aires tetra could work as a dither fish especially if they are close to max size.

Remember the tank size and stock for the fishes max size. Avoid large fish like severum, oscar, and most geophagus. You will want to stay away from anything that gets over 5 or 6 inches when fully grown.

I think you can do 2-3 cichlids depending on size with a school of tetras or barbs.

It's hard to recommend cichlid tank mates because most good firemouth tankmates get over 8 inches. You also do not want fish that are overly aggressive since a 40 breeder is only 3ft long. So fish like convicts are out.

Electric Blue Acara, more Firemouth, Keyhole Cichlid, and Rainbow cichlid would be great tankmates. These don't get huge and are not known to be overly aggressive.

What combinations could I keep these cichlids or would it be just one of the fish suggested with the Firemouth if you get me?

 

[Metalhead88]

A 40 breeder is absolutely large enough for a firemouth. Firemouths have a max size of 6 inches on paper, but most will max out around 4 inches even in large tanks.

The 40 breeder is a great tank size. The tank is wide for a 3ft tank and the footprint maximizes swimming space.

They are not huge fish, are not overly aggressive, and aren't that messy compared to other cichlids. I see no issues with water quality, growth, or aggression with suitible tankmates in this tank.

 

[Dyl123]

Also how many Firemouths could go in a 40 gallon breeder?

 

[Metalhead88]

Also how many Firemouths could go in a 40 gallon breeder?

3 max IMO. With no other cichlid tankmates.

 

[Metalhead88]

What combinations could I keep these cichlids or would it be just one of the fish suggested with the Firemouth if you get me?

3 cichlids max any combination that I listed should work. Since cichlids have individual personalities and levels of aggression, sometimes things that should work just don't.

 

[Dyl123]

I’m thinking of trying out the Firemouth with a rainbow and blue acara as I had previously looked into these fish, would it be best to stay away from live plants or should I get some because I’ve heard a lot of cichlids will just destroy them, thanks.

 

[Dyl123]

Or trying 2 Firemouths and a blue acara

 

[Metalhead88]

I’m thinking of trying out the Firemouth with a rainbow and blue acara as I had previously looked into these fish, would it be best to stay away from live plants or should I get some because I’ve heard a lot of cichlids will just destroy them, thanks.

I like this combination as well. The 2x firemouth and electric blue acara could work as well. I say definitely go with the electric blue acara. They look great and are very active.

Plants will be hit or miss. It may be worth a shot to start slow and see how things go from there. If you can make plants work I highly recommend it. They look great and do lots for the water quality as well.

My cichlids tear plants apart and uproot them in days....but they are bigger than what you would have the tank stocked with and are also diggers.

It can go either way cichlids will dig, some more than others. I say try it, and if the plants start to take a beating, move them to the other tank.

 

[Dyl123]

I think I’ll end up with the two fire mouths and blue acara, I’ll try some plants in the the tank and see how it goes, thanks for the info it helped a lot.

 

[Metalhead88]

I think I’ll end up with the two fire mouths and blue acara, I’ll try some plants in the the tank and see how it goes, thanks for the info it helped a lot.

Np. Let us know if you need any other suggestions