Good Beginer Cichlids?

[DarkShadow435]

So, i'm looking to start converting my regular freshwater tropical tank into a cichlid tank. I was wondering, what would be some good starter cichlid species? I love the bright colors that cichlids have to offer, as well as their bright personalities in comparison with other tropical species. Any ideas for me?

 

[grimmy]

firemouth cichlid,golden german rams, convicts,or oscars

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

firemouth cichlid,golden german rams, convicts,or oscars

First off, let me tell you that you mustn't take all of the information on this forum as correct. Take the information above for example, some of our users just don't have a clue...


Firemouth, Convicts and Oscars will be too aggressive for the tanks above, and the Oscars may be get a little too big for a 55 depending on the dimensions. German Rams may be okay, but they can be a little fragile. The Rams are probably going to be one of the most colorful intermediate level south american community cichlid.

How often do you do water changes? What are your water stats? The Ram may be able to go into the 55 gallon.

 

[shroob]

The thread starter said they would be converting his tropical tank (going by their sig its the 55G), so if they are converting they will probably be moving the current fish out. So the options posted by grimmy are viable ones (arguably not the oscar though). However it is true that new world cichlids arn't the best of friends with community fish.

@ thread starter: If you're interested in colour and are moving the fish out, look at african cichlids, they tend to have bright colours more than americans, though if you want personality, I dont think you can beat CA/SA cichlids (though this is my own view).

 

[cheesy feet]

firemouth cichlid,golden german rams, convicts,or oscars

Yes lets name the cichlids we know to sound clever Rams are not a 'beginners' cichlid( i found that it is vital to acclimatise them slowly)IMO, firemouths are quite easy, yes, but covicts and oscars can be very aggressive messy fish, which can lead to all sorts of problems.
As shroob said first of you really have to coose from SA, central, malawi, and tanganyika

 

[shroob]

If you get over the fact that convicts can be aggressive, then they are a good beginner cichlid, easy to care for, easy to feed, easy to breed (if you do not want this, I recommend getting all females - as the babies can be hard to get rid of).
As for oscars, they are easy provided you have good filtration and regular water changes (though I wouldnt personally keep one in a 55).

With relation to what cheesy said, most cichlids are aggressive, if you dont want this, then I would recommend other fish.

 

[bobross]

How about a severum and a shoal dither fish? The variety of colors they put off depending on mood is really pretty - they have a lot of personality as well. I've found so far that they are an easy fish to keep. Granted that experience is only based on keeping one in a 55g with a big group of tiger barbs. (You may have people argue about the size of the tank for a severum, though.)

Good luck deciding, there a lot of beatiful cichlids to choose from.



BobRoss

 

[Davo86]

They may be a big harder to find but Nicaraguense show some really nice colours

Nicaraguese females
Nicaraguense pair

 

[Crookshankz227]

While they're not new world cichlids, kribs are fabulous fish. Colour, personality and easy to breed. They're also peaceful enough.

 

[Straydum]

i'm surprised no one suggested angels. i find them by far the easiest (well almost) to keep.

 

[Meds081603]

I'd say angels, convicts, and firemouths are all fairly easy. Convicts can be tricky with other fish sometimes especially when breeding. Definately no to rams as a beginner fish.

 

[ted28]

What about Bolivian Ram Cichlids

 

[Meds081603]

What about Bolivian Ram Cichlids

Not as finicky as german rams but I still would not recomend for a beginner.

 

[Ferris]

I don't see any reason that specific cichlid species should be considered inappropriate for a "beginner". With the correct research, any of the fish mentioned in this thread could be kept by the OP. The exception being the Oscar - the tank isn't big enough IMO. I can't stress enough the importance of that research though.

At what point does someone become qualified to keep cichlids?

I'd second what shroob said aswell - don't overlook african cichlids if it's colour you're after. Generally a little more complicated on water parameters etc but well worth the effort.

 

[grimmy]

but i ive always heard firemouths are god begginners