What kind should I get??

[GirlinWayside]

Im getting my tank back up to par and will be getting more fish soon. Ive only had two cichlids before, an Oscar and a Jack Dempsey - Id like to get something different this time but Im not sure what I should get. I have three plecos in the tank now - Im going to probably give two of them away - they are getting so big. I have a 55 gal tank. any suggestions??

 

[glolite]

How about a green terror. There's one in an lfs I vivited and he's got real Attitude!! If you go to one end of the tank he wizzes down and mimics attack. Superb looking fish. If you want a mix of fish, depends if you want to stick to cichlids. Perhaps try africans?

 

[GirlinWayside]

I definately want to stick with cichlids - they are my favorite for some reason..

 

[sylvia]

Well 55 gallons isn't realy enough for most of the larger aggressive neotropical cichlids (like oscars) or, at least, is considered the bare minnimum. It deffinately won't allow you to mix anything that gets to a good size.

Did you want to get a single fish for the tank or a combination?

Like was mentioned, I'd suggest africans to you instead. You could make a nice mbuna tank out of that (there's a pinned topic in the africans section about them) though you'll probably want to rehome all your plecs if their commons - they will all be too big for a 55 eventualy.
There's plenty of other africans to try as well of course. The tanganyicans are a lovely group with lots of variety to choose from.

If you want neotropicals but wouldn't mind something smaller or more peaceful, maybe look into dwarf cichlids (though you'd only be able to fit a couple of pairs/trios realy), keyholes or possibly (africans though they are) kribs/pulcher.

Alternatively, firemouths, severums, festivums, acaras and similar medium-sized semi-aggressive cichlids may be an option if you are interested.

Oh and, 'just for the record', there's always angelfish or discus...

Is there anything particular you had in mind? I'd personaly go for the mbuna tank or dedicate it entirely to keyholes .

 

[GirlinWayside]

Well 55 gallons isn't realy enough for most of the larger aggressive neotropical cichlids (like oscars) or, at least, is considered the bare minnimum. It deffinately won't allow you to mix anything that gets to a good size.

Did you want to get a single fish for the tank or a combination?

Like was mentioned, I'd suggest africans to you instead. You could make a nice mbuna tank out of that (there's a pinned topic in the africans section about them) though you'll probably want to rehome all your plecs if their commons - they will all be too big for a 55 eventualy.
There's plenty of other africans to try as well of course. The tanganyicans are a lovely group with lots of variety to choose from.

If you want neotropicals but wouldn't mind something smaller or more peaceful, maybe look into dwarf cichlids (though you'd only be able to fit a couple of pairs/trios realy), keyholes or possibly (africans though they are) kribs/pulcher.

Alternatively, firemouths, severums, festivums, acaras and similar medium-sized semi-aggressive cichlids may be an option if you are interested.

Oh and, 'just for the record', there's always angelfish or discus...

Is there anything particular you had in mind? I'd personaly go for the mbuna tank or dedicate it entirely to keyholes .

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I had an oscar in this tank to begin with, and yes, you are right, he really needed something larger - he was 12 inches long when he passed. He barely fit in a size 11 mans shoebox!

I already figured on getting rid of two of the plecos - I had to take two from my mom - she has them in a 5 gal tank! lol - she had no idea they grew like that. hehhe

I would like to have some with some color and character - but I also want something that is fairly hardy- ill check out all of those you suggested. thanks alot!

 

[playfulalliecat]

Some of the SA/CA cichlids don't get as large as an oscar. There are many different ones to choose from. When I get more room to start up another tank, I plan to get a group of about 5 Geophagus Bahia sp. Reds. They get to about half the size of oscars, are colorful, and quite active. I have had a group in the past and loved them so much! Sadly, they didn't survive when I moved last summer. They are part of the eartheater South American cichlids and originate in the Bahia River basin. I have a hard time finding lots of information on them but from what I've seen a lot of the geophagus info seems to be right on target for them as well.

Do a search on South or Central American cichlids, you should find some profiles on lots of different types. Most provide pics as well and the max sizes, this can help you to better narrow down what you can put in a 55 gallon long term.

HTH!

 

[spAcE mOnkEy]

It really depends what your looking for. Do you want a really cool super aggressive but colorful fish? Or do you want a boring peaceful little dwarf cichlid. Im a fan of the large aggressive ones, but i dont have any room for them . Theres a decent amount of pike cichlids that could go in that tank. If the 55 gal were mine... id probably get some type of mean pike cichlid. One green terror for that tank would work nice. They have lots of nice colors. Theres also alot of cichlids that not many people know about which would be great for that tank. Motaguese cichlids i think may be fine in a 55 gal but just one.

 

[wwestar2000]

Keyholes

 

[GirlinWayside]

I will check out all of your suggestions! I really like the more aggressive type - maybe because thats all Ive ever had..

 

[wwestar2000]

keyholes aren't pussy cats though. Males will fight with other aggresive fish

 

[wixx]

Parrot cichlids can be aggressive. They are a cool fish.. Convicts are aggressive and can be kept with parrots usually. Severums are also nice.. Festivums are cool also.

 

[GirlinWayside]

thanks! Ill also look into those. Its still going to be a while before I get any though. I still have lots of work to do on my tank and absolutely NO budget to work with..

 

[lucky62]

It really depends what your looking for. Do you want a really cool super aggressive but colorful fish? Or do you want a boring peaceful little dwarf cichlid.  Im a fan of the large aggressive ones, but i dont have any room for them  . Theres a decent amount of pike cichlids that could go in that tank. If the 55 gal were mine... id probably get some type of mean pike cichlid. One green terror for that tank would work nice. They have lots of nice colors. Theres also alot of cichlids that not  many people know about which would be great for that tank. Motaguese cichlids i think may be fine in a 55 gal but just one.

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dwarf ciclids are not boring ............get a few , some plants .......cost less to feed , not as messy , finding suitable tank mates is a little easier , um , a little easier to maintain good water quality . I've been there , I was a fan of larger and more agressive ones


Well with no budget you're kind of limited to free fish , maybe someone has some convict fry to unload , GirlinWayside , good luck .

EDIT Cichlids , spelled it wrong )

 

[GirlinWayside]

dwarf ciclids are not boring ............get a few , some plants .......cost less to feed , not as messy , finding suitable tank mates is a little easier , um , a little easier to maintain good water quality . I've been there , I was a fan of larger and more agressive ones


Well with no budget you're kind of limited to free fish , maybe someone has some convict fry to unload , GirlinWayside , good luck .

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What I meant to say was I dont have a huge budget to work with so its going to take me a while to be ready for new fish. Ive got alot of work to do to my tank - and I need to purchase a new filter system first too. All I have right now is a UGF and I would like to have some type of carbon filter too.

I could be so lucky as to find someone with some convict fry! Ive had those before and I liked 'em alot! People around here where I live are not big fish people - or if they are they keep it to themselves!

 

[lucky62]

dwarf cichlids are not boring           ............get a few , some plants .......cost less to feed , not as messy ,  finding suitable tank mates is a little easier , um , a  little  easier  to  maintain  good water quality . I've been there  , I was a fan of larger and more aggressive ones  


Well with no budget you're kind of limited to free fish , maybe someone has some convict fry to unload , GirlinWayside , good luck .

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What I meant to say was I don't have a huge budget to work with so its going to take me a while to be ready for new fish. Ive got alot of work to do to my tank - and I need to purchase a new filter system first too. All I have right now is a UGF and I would like to have some type of carbon filter too.

I could be so lucky as to find someone with some convict fry! Ive had those before and I liked 'em alot! People around here where I live are not big fish people - or if they are they keep it to themselves!

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I figured something like that , I was joking .

Some people here are dead against UGFs , not me though I've had mine up since 1995 with no tear down yet , good maintenance is the key .The substrate is kind of deep about 3.5" , and I also have quite a few plants growing in it , also it's the only filtration on that tank ......goes against what many believe are the odds ........ I've come to a point in the hobby where I keep it simple , had gadgets , some I still use , some no .

I would like to point out that many of the larger Cs like to dig , and may cause problems with UGFs .............I have no fish larger than 3" in my 70 gallon .

Also , when you say carbon filter , do you mean an external filter [ hang on back / canister ] or do you actually mean just carbon ?

Filtering with carbon constantly is a choice , and IMO is not needed at all times , I stopped using carbon a few years ago , good maintenance and water changes along with biological filtration are your best bet , you could even get by with out mechanical filtration , though I would not recommend going without it as most people tend to push stocking limits of tanks .


Take it slow , try and figure what kind of Cichlid you want and set it up for them [ I guess that was your plan , right ?]

You might like Jewel cichlids , similar to New World , but west African riverine , and I have kept them with convicts , I'm sure many have .

Anyway if you have any interest in smaller fish [ Dwarfs ] I can give you some names to Google


I my self am not a big fan of African lake cichlids , but there are probably a few that could suite you , post a question in that section .........what have you got to loose