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July 13th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| LOTS and LOTS of questions :)
I was hoping to have a cichlid tank in the near future 
I basically want to know as much as possible. How big a tank they need, lighting, substrate, deco, food, etc, are things i need to know.
i thought i might come to the experts here (cough cough) so i have began investigating but know very little. i am thinking of small cichlids. | 
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July 13th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| Hi Tony,
Cichlids are awesome  Do you have any idea what sort of cichlids you would like to keep? Here is a website that will give you a lot of information: www.cichlidforum.com
I am more than happy to answer any questions that you have. Think about what size tank you want, if you want any other fish in the tank, and what region you want cichlids from.... africa, central america, south america? Also, are you looking for aggressive or nonagressive species? | |
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July 14th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| Quote:
Originally Posted by MissMTS  Hi Tony,
Cichlids are awesome Do you have any idea what sort of cichlids you would like to keep? Here is a website that will give you a lot of information: www.cichlidforum.com
I am more than happy to answer any questions that you have. Think about what size tank you want, if you want any other fish in the tank, and what region you want cichlids from.... africa, central america, south america? Also, are you looking for aggressive or nonagressive species? | thanks! i was thinking the smallest aquarium possible(not alot of space available)
i would like to have a non agressive tank so i wont have any problems later. Which are the smallest cihlids? I am not familiar with the different species, so i will look them up thanks for the link | |
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July 14th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| What size tank were you thinking?
Last edited by bolivianbaby; July 14th, 2009 at 09:44 AM.
Reason: Forgot Something | |
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July 14th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| Quote:
Originally Posted by bolivianbaby What size tank were you thinking? | i was thinking a 20-30 gal.
i liked what the shell wellers look like, im gonna check out the rams as well. | |
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July 14th, 2009
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| | Fish Lore Newbie
| If it's 25 gallons (or around that) you have a few options:
1: A pair of angelfish, convicts or firemouths - easier
2: A dwarf cichlid community with cockatoos and other such dwarves - easier
3: Tanganyikan shell commune, all shellies, possibly a julie or two- Unknown
4: a few larger african cichlids - unknown
Those are the first 4 that come to mind. | |
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July 14th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| i like the angelfish convicts firemouth combo.
Do they have any special requirements? like pH and stuff? | |
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July 14th, 2009
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| | Fish Mentor
| I wouldn't do angels in a 25gal Tony.
I would also stay away from convicts also unless you already have a plan for all the fry.
The firemouth idea is a good one if you ask me.
Thorichthys meeki, firemouth, would work. Maybe also do a Thorichthys species you don't see everyday.
Perhaps....
Thoichthys Affinis
Thorichthys Ellioti
Thorichthys Pasionis
All great species.
Brian | |
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July 14th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| Quote:
Originally Posted by btate617 I wouldn't do angels in a 25gal Tony.
I would also stay away from convicts also unless you already have a plan for all the fry.
The firemouth idea is a good one if you ask me.
Thorichthys meeki, firemouth, would work. Maybe also do a Thorichthys species you don't see everyday.
Perhaps....
Thoichthys Affinis
Thorichthys Ellioti
Thorichthys Pasionis
All great species.
Brian |
thanks,
i was thinking about that after, i remember reading they need tall aquariums.
do convicts breed easily? | |
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July 14th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| do convicts breed easily?[/quote]
They are one of the easiest fish to breed. They're like the livebearers of the cichlid world. | |
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July 14th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| Quote:
Originally Posted by bolivianbaby do convicts breed easily? | They are one of the easiest fish to breed. They're like the livebearers of the cichlid world.[/quote]
hahaha
i think it would be cool. i could sell them...
could i just have the same sex tank? | |
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July 14th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| hahaha
i think it would be cool. i could sell them...
could i just have the same sex tank?[/quote]
I wanna say yes, but since I'm not 100% positive, it would be better to wait for a more experienced convict member to answer that one. | |
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July 14th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| i will wait
maybe i can save up and buy a 55g.
What other cichlids can go in it?
ive seen some really colorful yellow and blue ones that i dont know what they are called.. | |
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July 14th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| You may be thinking of African cichlids from Lake Malawi. 55 gallons works well for them. They are absolutely gorgeous, but stocking the tank correctly can be difficult.
If you're looking at setting up an African Cichlid tank, while you're saving for it, you might want to look at local availability and your options to have fish shipped from a breeder or other reliable source.
I'm still learning about African Cichlids (I just started stocking a tank of them last Friday), but we have several knowledgeable members here on fishlore. | |
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July 14th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| i dont think my LFS has any. I have to look into breeders in my area.
post pics on your tank! | |
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July 14th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| These pics are also in a thread I posted on Saturday, but I don't know how to post links yet, so don't laugh at me
I'm hoping the pictures improve over time, but I'm no expert in photography  | |
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July 14th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| your tank is looking great! are you gonna stock it with more fish? | |
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July 14th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| Thank you very much! It's our "dinner conversation tank". My daughter named it the "Fishieval Times Tank". And yes-another red zebra, one more yellow lab, 4 albino socolofis, and I've got a post here for the final. I really want blue in the tank as well, but I'm having trouble finding the correct species, so I'm searching for other options.
There will also be more caves over time, but since I have to re-arrange the tank to add confusion and decrease aggression when I add more fish, I'm waiting to add them to the tank as well.
There's some great information under african cichlids here on the forum. You oughtta check it out! | |
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July 14th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| I will check it out. I really really want to go into cichlid keeping.. its my destiny | |
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July 14th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| They're a bunch of fun, whether they're South American or African (I don't have experience with any others). Lots of personality and lots of color. | |
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July 14th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| thats why i am so intirested in them, They seem like very active fishies. | |
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July 14th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| You will not regret it! They're awesome. | |
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July 14th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| i hope so | |
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July 14th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| yeah i am so glad i got african cichlids they are awesome fish do a 55 you will be happy........look on craiglist there are pleanty of deals on there | |
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July 14th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| Quote:
Originally Posted by gmen4life yeah i am so glad i got african cichlids they are awesome fish do a 55 you will be happy........look on craiglist there are pleanty of deals on there | i dont think they ship to mexico. My lFS has some pretty good deals on tanks. I saw the other day a 75 gal for 1433 pesos(143 dlls) i think thats pretty good. IT comes with a filter, hood, heater, fish net, syphon, gravel, plants and some deco. Ill keep my eye out. I have to convince my mom on letting me get yet another tank | |
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July 14th, 2009
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| | Fish Mentor
| Being from Mexico why not do a cichlid tank with Mexican species, a cool idea I think.
If you can get a slightly bigger tank.
Herichthys Labridens, if you ask me in the top 5 of coolest cichlids.
Herichthys Tamasopoensis, awesome also.
Herichthys Carpintis
And a few smaller ones
Xiphophorus Nigrensis
Xiphophorus Montezumae
Just some ideas!
Brian | |
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July 15th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| that is really interesting!! i had never thought of that! its probably easier to get them since they are native here... ill look them up,
one question...
How do you memorize their scientific name??
lol | |
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July 15th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| Quote:
Originally Posted by btate617 Being from Mexico why not do a cichlid tank with Mexican species, a cool idea I think.
If you can get a slightly bigger tank.
Herichthys Carpintis
Just some ideas!
Brian | it kinda looks like a JD, doesn't it? | |
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July 15th, 2009
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| | Fish Mentor
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Tony G. that is really interesting!! i had never thought of that! its probably easier to get them since they are native here... ill look them up,
one question...
How do you memorize their scientific name??
lol | Most of the fish I keep don't have common names so some I am forced to remember....
Don't be fooled, I have to look up proper spelling on them sometimes, I just try to go by scientific names, remember some fish have the same common name, saves some confusion I guess. Or I am just a fish dork not sure.
Brian
And I don't mind using google to find some fish ideas for others when I run out of them.
Last edited by btate617; July 15th, 2009 at 04:46 PM.
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