Stocking Revamp - 55 gal.

[Big Vine]

Research and comments from more experienced CA cichlid folks has made me seriously question my whole breeding salvini idea. 55 gal. doesn't appear to be enough space for a pair to survive amicably in the long-term (i.e. male will mame and/or kill the female).

So I wanna go for a more mixed CA 'community,' if such a thing is possible.

Here's the list I need some help with:
-1 salvini (I'm thinking I'll keep the female)
-1 convict (black male)
-1 ???

Can any of these types interbreed?
I think 3 CA cichlids would be ideal, but I can't decide on a 3rd robust type of cichlid.

Thanks for the help.
BV

 

[SinisterKisses]

Well, cons will generally breed with anything that is available, lol. But no one said you had to keep the babies they might produce. As for more tankmates, here's a few that stay medium-sized and should be able to hold their own (depending on your individual fish's agression levels):

Archocentrus sajica (kind of Convict-like though, might not want both)
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=134

Archocentrus spilurus
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=136

Thorichthys meeki
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=65

Just some suggestions offhand.

 

[Big Vine]

About the fry...I'm not worried about getting rid of them---I'm worried about the aggression/territoriality issues that would result from any pairing-off that might happen.

I've browsed across these before, and I was thinking that A. spilurus would be cool...just not sure if I can find them locally (I best work on that, eh?).

You think they're robust enough?

-1 salvini (F)
-1 convict (M or F)
-1 spilurus/a.k.a. "blue-eyed cichlid" (M)
(does anyone actually call them "blue-eyed cichlids"? lol)

Not sure if I've got the mix of Males vs. Females worked out right, but these seem like species I'd be happy to work with. I figured a male salvini would be too much, so I'd opt to keep the more colorful female. I'm leaning toward a male convict. Probably a male spilurus as well.

What about the T. meeki/a.k.a. "firemouth"?
Could I have one of these as a 4th fish in this setup, or is that too much?

EDIT: I'm thinking males would be best for all of these, except for the salvini. Is that nuts?

Thanks, Sinister.
BV

 

[Fuzz16]

well not everything someone says is right. a pair of sals may be fine in that tank together. thier not forced so probably better.

 

[Big Vine]

You're right, Fuzz.
Having the night to sleep on it has helped.

I did return the 2 non-paired males, but still have the original pair. I'll try another spawn with them and see how that goes before freaking out and jumping to any rash decisions.

Probably I should stay away from the cichlid section of the forum altogether until I've had a chance to figure everything out.

BV

 

[SinisterKisses]

Lol oh, BV...so much drama

Yep, I wouldn't give up on them yet. They're still young, it was their first spawn...honestly, it usually takes new pairs a couple tries to get it right. So as long as the male isn't beating the snot out of the female and you're worried about her safety, I would leave them be.

 

[Big Vine]

Lol oh, BV...so much drama

LMAO...so very true, but what you should've said was "so much drama, so few tanks!" *laughingc

as long as the male isn't beating the snot out of the female and you're worried about her safety, I would leave them be

Sounds like a reasonable, "non-freaking out" course of action...much better than my initial approach to the situation.

Thank-you for your reassurances...helps me a lot...
Like Boston said, all I want is to have my peace of mind...

BV

 

[SinisterKisses]

Lol don't worry, we might not admit it, but we all have little freak-out moments as well Heck, I just sold my colony of demasoni due to a freak-out moment!

 

[sclabman]

how about a green terror? those are very pretty, although a 55 might be too small for an adult, i'm not sure.

 

[Big Vine]

IF the salvini pair really doesn't end up working out, I'll either do the convict pair thing...perhaps with the female salvini still in there...OR...get a severum as a "wet pet." I've been wanting one for a while, and all the pics of em' lately...especially IDunnoWhy's...have really gotten me interested in them. Plus I'm told they'll readily eat feeder platies, so that's a bonus as far as I'm concerned. I know 55 gal. isn't ideal for an adult sev, but what the heck. I know I'll have tank upgrades in my future anyway.

I'll save the GT for another tank, another day. Thanks for the suggestion.

BV

 

[Fuzz16]

get a pair of cons then let them breed forever until they take over the tank like guppies!