Amanda

I'm thinking of what I can re-stock my 55 gal. with after the ICH epidemic is over. Right now I have 2 BR parrots, 1 DG, and one clown pleco.
I want to keep it a New World cichlid tank.
My LFS said that they'd order any fish for me that I want, that they don't stock.
So, I was thinking of adding 1 convict, and 1 firemouth (only thinking) but would these get along with the others?
What other cichlids could go in this tank? JD's get too large, and I give up on angels.

9311dan

Blood Parrots are incredible fish, so good decision on those.

I have a 46G and the only fish I regret putting in there is the convict. He's incredibly nasty and I wouldn't recommend Convicts to anyone...my baby Green Terror and Jack Dempsey are awesome fish though, so look into those..

Amanda

Wouldn't GT & JD's get too large for a 55 gal.?

capekate

Hi Amanda
considering the size that Parrots grow into, I would say that there would most likely not be enough room for the JD or GT in with them. How about some mid size tetras? Congo tetra is a nice addition and you would have the room for a school of them. The Parrots will get along with them too.
Bolivian Rams are another choice.
EDIT:
your original question on the firemouth. I was thinking that with one firemouth in the tank it would cut down on any aggression if say you had two of them in there.

Amanda

I will resort to tetras if I have to, but I was hoping to add one or two more medium sized fish. I was hoping to add one convict and/or one firemouth.

capekate

The firemouth would work. Convicts are so iffy.. they can be aggressive and nippy if someone is in their territory. But it has been done, guess it really depends on the personality of your convict. Plus if you do add a male convict, you can end up with a mix of the Parrot and convict and resulting spawn and aggression issues. I think we had talked about that in another thread?
Or you can add a red Midas Cichlid and can probably find a pairing off with a female Parrot if you have one? But I am thinking you are looking for more color in the tank than all red/orange?
There is also Silver Dollars to consider as well or some SA Catfish?

Amanda

I was originally going to buy Silver Dollars, but I'm adding java fern on Tues. & they will eat it. So, I'll hold off on the convict. Firemouth, possibly a Red Midas? I'll do some research on the Midas.

capekate

Even tho a lot of research will show up as the Red Devil and Midas being the same species, but they are not.
After some research, the Midas may not be a good idea as they do grow 10-12 inches. I just thought of them since they have been bred with BR's and obviously get along. But adding this fish may end up overstocking your tank.
Too bad about the Silver Dollars, but yes i agree they will love to eat your plants. So with that, maybe looking into a nice firemouth will work for you?

mjordan

i not thinking got 2 silver dollars bout a year go and i also got a big plant order like 60 bucks from drfosters the day before.

to top that off i went on vacation for 4 days and my fish keeper never told me till the micro sword '20 dollars' worth and my chain swords were completly gone that my plants were being eaten

Amanda

Alright, def. a Firemouth.
Not sure about what else yet.

Amanda

A JD reaches 8 in. Would that be okay with the 2 parrots (if the one survives the ich)?
They would all reach the same adult size. But, I don't have any expierence with JD's, so I'm not sure if it would work. If it wouldn't, I'll go with the Firemouth and talk to my LFS about what other cichlids they have access to.

capekate

Well, as long as the one JD is not too aggressive. I would not advise keeping the DG in the tank tho, if you decided on the JD. Maybe Shawnie will know more if the JD can go in the tank or not? My two JDs are with one convict, and I have never put the Parrots in with them, so I have no idea how that would work or not. Maybe as they are all juvi's you can get away with it, but as they mature, I really have no idea if they would all get along?

Amanda

Btw Kate, my one parrot is changing colors!
I just hope they both make it through the ich.

capekate

Hi Amanda
they are so cute when they are changing their colors. Especially when they end up with silly looking 'masks' lol... Its amazing how fast they do change their pattern. It seems every day they get more and more orange.
Im sorry to hear about the ICH. Have you turned up the temp in that tank for them? Hopefully that, water change and vacuuming the ICH spores off the gravel will help.
I wish you the best with that. ICH should not be fatal in fish tho, just catching it in time so they do not get secondary problems due to the stress of the 'itchies'.. and any topical injuries from scraping against things.

Amanda

Yeah, temp. is up & doing sand vacuums everyday.
Today I did a pretty thorough one, basiclly took off the top layer of sand.
But the one parrot is COVERED. I did add salt, 5 tbls., half of what was recommended b/c of my pleco.

capekate

OOO poor guy.... Well keep up the good work and I will keep my fingers crossed for you and the little one!

Amanda

Thanks

Amanda

I've been reading on a lot of websites that Jewels do well with NW cichlids. Is this true?
As a single of course, no breeding pairs for me ..... yet.

David593

I have heard that jewels do ok with other cichlids. Very nice fish!