Central American Schooling Fish to go with cichlids?

Hello,
I'm looking for a schooling fish to go with a South American vieja cichlid in a 100 gallons. Theoretically, not like I'm running out to the store now. Something nativeish to the southern hemisphere of the Americas. Mexico maybe? But Google only gives me Mexican cave fish and endangered pupfish. Swordtails show up, but that doesn't seem appropritate for a cichlid. I don't want to use African tetras or Australian rainbows. Not a S.A. cichlid community bc I'd rather have a larger tank for that. Feel free to contradict anything. Ideas?

 

Hope this gives you some ideas.

 

Why wouldn't swordtails be appropriate? They can still act as dithers for cichlids.

 

What all do you plan having in the tank and what will the temperature be? How about Buenos Aires Tetras, Serpae Tetras, Skirt Tetras, or Congo Tetras?

 

Vieja cichlids are Central American if I'm not mistaken...?

 

What all do you plan having in the tank and what will the temperature be?

Theoretical tank. 76? Flexible.

Vieja cichlids are Central American if I'm not mistaken...?

Oh darn. "Central America in the Usumacinta River drainage in the countries of Mexico, Belize and Guatemala". I just searched by the region of Mexico. I think I'll have to start the post over. Saying SA is going to be about a bunch of tetras from the jungle. Dangut

Hello,
I'm looking for a schooling fish to go with a Central American vieja cichlid in a 100 gallons. The cichlid is from the Usumacinta River drainage in the countries of Mexico, Belize and Guatemala. Google search around mexico gives me Mexican cave fish and endangered pupfish. Swordtails show up, which I would consider. Id like to avoid S.A. tetras, African tetras like congos or Australian rainbows. If anyome swears by those fish, let me know. If I did a C.A. cichlid community I'd rather have a larger tank. Are there any other ideas?

 

What type of vieja are you stocking and what size tank?

True schooling C.A. dithers can be hard but not impossible. THere are a few tetra species that would work but you may have a hard time tracking them down. Astyanax Aeneus Tetras or mayan tetras would be central american. Though if you are going for a true biotope correct species then you would do better to more strongly consider some live bearers. Look up some of Lee Nuttall's stuff. Check this out

Upper Candelaria River. Jungle area near the River bank, Mexico, 576 L – Biotope Aquarium

 

Some wild-type swordtails (montezumae maybe?) or some true sailfin mollies would be gorgeous in there!

 

I posted this in your other thread before I saw this one.

What type of vieja are you stocking and what size tank?

True schooling C.A. dithers can be hard but not impossible. THere are a few tetra species that would work but you may have a hard time tracking them down. Astyanax Aeneus Tetras or mayan tetras would be central american. Though if you are going for a true biotope correct species then you would do better to more strongly consider some live bearers. Look up some of Nuttall's stuff. Check this out

Upper Candelaria River. Jungle area near the River bank, Mexico, 576 L – Biotope Aquarium

 

What type of vieja are you stocking and what size tank?

100 gallon. Vieja Synspilum or melanura, as they say now. Not opposed to livebearers. I would think swordtails would get excessively stressed or ill. It seems like they are actually the common conclusion.

 

What are the dimensions?

Another thought would be to use a smaller group of cichlids as a dither fish. Something like a small group of thorichthys meekI or pasiones would be biotope correct.

 

I figure the 6 foot 100 gallon would be the most appropriate. I forget the exact measurements that worked out to 100 but it was something like 2x2x6. I don't know if the 4' or 3' 110g tanks pose a problem bc of the smaller floorspace, but they do seem more readily avaiable

 

A 6 foot by 2 foot tank is typically around 180 gallons. Most of the 100-150 gallon tanks that are 6 feet long are in actuality only 18 inches front to back.

The reason I say this is the melanura will get rather large. A tank that is only 18 inches front to back may be a bit small for him.

 

thorichthys meekI or pasiones would be biotope

MeekI is sold as "firemouth", the most well known thorichthys, right? Do pasiones or elliotI have common trade names?

Oh yes is it 18 inches? Should be as wide as 2x the adult length. Up at a 180 a cichlid community would certainly be on the menu.

 

not really. at least not that i'm aware of. Most of the time they are just sold under their species name. But yes, meekI are firemouth. Sometimes pasiones is sold as a "yellow firemouth" but i've seen hellerI sold as yellow firemouths before too

melanura can normally get 14 to 15 inches long. If you plan on keeping that species, I would suggest you begin planning on getting a 180 gallon at a minimum.

 

**Threads merged**