Okay so I'm thinking about buying a 55 gallon tank soon. This would be my first tank (other than a betta a few years ago) and I'm interested in cichlids. Out of the American cichlids, which would be happiest in a 55 gallon. I'm fine with either a couple larger cichlids or smaller cichlids with other fish. What do you think is the most visually appealing combo of cichlids for a 55 gallon?
Are you wanting to specifically do central american or south american or it doesn't matter? A single blood parrot would be a nice addition to a 55 gallon. Or maybe a single threadfin heckelii. With one of those you could do a medium sized cichlid like rainbow cichlids, sajica cichlids, bandit cichlids, or maybe an electric blue acara. After that you may have room for a single or pair of dwarf cichlids like bolivian rams or one of the laetacara species. Another idea would be to do a single large cichlid (threadfin, blood parrot, female jack dempsey) and a small schoal of schoaling cichlids (maybe 4 or 5) like the cupid cichlids (biotodoma). I think if you did a single large and a cichlid and a group of schoaling cichlids then you probably still have room for some bottom dwellers like cory cats or maybe some catfish as well as a mid/top schooler like lemon, diamond, or black phantom tetras
I would like to keep all the fish from the same general region if at all possible. I really like the idea of getting one larger cichlid and then some schooling ones also!
Yeah then I think something like 1 Threadfin Heckelii 5-6 Cupid Cichlids 10 Aeneus Corydoras These all share some regions and can be found in the same waters. You could still look for a schooling fish that would work.
I can't find much information about the threadfin cichlids. Is there anyone with personal experience with these or a site with reliable information?
From what I know they're relatively placid but do get quite large (18cm) and will do a number on your plants (if you have any) through digging. They're beautiful fish but probably do best with a sandy bottom seeing as they like to go through the substrate looking for food. You can read more here, generally this site is pretty trustworthy: http://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/acarichthys-heckelii/
I have a gold Severum in my 55 gallon. He will grow pretty big but is a nice addition to that tank. They are peaceful beautiful fish!
