American cichlids

[exeori]

Hi I have a 180litre well planted tank and I want some American and South American cichlids. Which ones are best suited?? Thanks

 

[DragonFish71]

So that's roughly 47 U.S. gallons, give or take.

You can do a pair of German Blue or Gold rams, Bolivan rams, apistos of any variety, most of the Latacara species stay small enough.

 

[exeori]

I quite like convicts and fire mouths too

 

[DragonFish71]

Tank is too small for such aggressive species. Also they get bigger than the dwarfs I mentioned.

I love firemouths and convicts myself, I've raised and bred them, but honestly, they are fish that need to be in large tanks.

 

[exeori]

Do you think I'd be better going with Malawi? I prefer planted tanks to rocky which is why I was going more towards the American side

 

[DragonFish71]

They are also too aggressive and get too large for that size of a tank. You're talking fish that at adult size is around 4-6 inches. The dwarfs are about 3 inches. You need to take adult size into consideration when planning a tank. Also their aggression levels. I'm sorry, but the more you pack them into a small tank, the more problems you will have with water quality, health and general them killing each other.

 

[Freakgecko91]

Any species in amatitlania (convicts), thorichthys (firemouths), or cryptoheros (convict-like) will do fine in a 180l tank. 47 gallons is a decent sized tank and can easily support fish up to 6 inches. A pair of one species of any of those species will do fine in that sized tank, along with some dithers (depending on said species).

 

[exeori]

Would a pair of convicts and a pair of fire mouths be okay together. I know they are aggressive when breeding

 

[DragonFish71]

I honestly wouldn't suggest keeping them in that small of a tank. This is based on my experience with them both, convicts and firemouths.

 

[Freakgecko91]

Not in a tank with a footprint less than 4 feet. I'd suggest looking more into those three genera that I listed earlier, especially the latter. Cryptoheros has many awesome species that don't get enough recognition

 

[Freakgecko91]

I honestly wouldn't suggest keeping them in that small of a tank. This is based on my experience with them both, convicts and firemouths.

We're talking about a pair, not a half dozen. A 47 with a single pair is more than enough

 

[DragonFish71]

We're talking about a pair, not a half dozen. A 47 with a single pair is more than enough

Again, based on my experience, and I should clarify, it depends on the tank footprint as well.

If it's a standard "box/rectangle" I would not suggest it. If it's a longer base but shorter height, then yes, I will agree, a pair would be fine. I've found that the larger base gives them more options for hiding (if planted and decorated appropriately) if their tankmate becomes more aggressive whereas the box/rectangle only gives them the options of up and out of the tank.

I didn't have time to clarify my point, I apologize. I have two old lady dogs that I like to keep my eyes on.

 

[Gillie]

I would stay away from them just because the tank is planted and I assume you would like to keep it that way, some of the dwarves already listed would do fine as would a trio of most apistos you have available in your area

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[exeori]

I want something a bit bigger than dwarf cichlids. I already have them in a smaller tank, hmmm

 

[gemach7]

Severums or angelfish perhaps?

 

[Freakgecko91]

Severums destroy plants

 

[Gillie]

The problem with most American cichlids excluding discus, angels and dwarves is they are all largely substrate spawners and do a lot of excavating even if they aren't spawning so plants aren't really safe.

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[exeori]

Which cichlids are best to have a planted tank?

 

[Brookster123]

Which cichlids are best to have a planted tank?

Dwarfs..plain and simple..

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[gemach7]

Which cichlids are best to have a planted tank?

Instead of cichlids maybe a species of climbing gourami? Most are very cichlid like in behaviour but dont destroy plants. Leopard centopoma is a an example of a beautiful species of them