So I'm a new member to the forum, but I've been using this forum and many others for research for quite awhile now. I recently purchased a 50g tank (my first acrylic) and I want to do something I haven't done yet. I want cichlids, but I'm not quite ready to give up all that tank space (also my first tank bigger than a 30g) for one JD pair, or just a couple medium sized aggressive cichlids. So I was thinking some smaller, typically peacefull cichlids, like a Ram, electric blue acara, a keyhole Cichlid, apisto, and one angel, with some dither fish, like two small schools of cardinals and rummy nose, or just one or the other with a larger amount, and some cories. And maybe one male guppy with a few females to provide some snacks for the cichlids. I know the cichlids I listed will do well in the form of one angel with a ram, or angel and acara, or keyhole and apisto and so on, so I'm just assuming they'll all get along together with a few territory disputes every now and then. The tank will be very heavily planted with lots of driftwood and other hardscapes, and I will be running more than double the recommended filtration. I'm fairly confident this setup will work, but I wanted some input from other enthusiasts, and maybe I'll get lucky and somebody's already tried this before and can let me know how it went.
Ok, first notes here:
Hi, welcome! Cool to see a bigger tank huh?
Ok, i will get to the fish.
You throw in the word "peaceful" pretty inaccurately here. Peaceful is a term that i wouldn't put with all of those fish as a group like you have them.
For example, if i was to compare a JD and an Oscar and an Acara, the Acara is peaceful, out of those three. But in a mix of Rams, Acaras, and Angels, the Acara is quite a bit more aggressive, as well as being much more capable of inflicting injury, than the Rams or Angels.
Keyhole, Apisto, Ram, and Angel are species that can be put together with a pretty decent chance at working out. The Acara, though, is different. It will SURELY stress the Keyholes out of eating, and maybe the Rams. They are nippy too, and more than likely will shred the Angels fins. Ive had an almost fully grown Angel be brought to the brink of death overnight by a 2.5" Acara.
So, this leaves you with 2 main categories here. The gentler, smaller Cichlids, like Rams and Angels, or the larger and more aggressive fish, like the Acara or JD.
Now, lets say you want to go with the gentler side, so you can have a few more fish with less risk. In a 50 gallon, you could maybe do a breeding trio of some type of Apisto, OR a pair (possibly two) of Rams, OR a few Keyholes. And then a nice Angel as a centerpiece. This could be surrounded by some Deison Barbs, Rummynose Tetras, a Bristlenose Pleco, and a big school of Cories.
That has a few advantages and a few things against it. It will be plant friendly, so if you want to go that route you can. Less bioload is also a plus. Probably the best thing is that you have thousands of options here,literally. More fish, resulting in color and activity. However, you lack the predator aggression and the distinct personality of the Jack Dempseys or other larger Cichlids.
Now, maybe you want to go with a pair if bigger fish. Your options grow slimmer. You cant really have schooling fish, due to them probably becoming midnight snacks. Catfsih are probably out, because lots of the bigger Cichlids tend to hang out near the bottom. Especially if they breed, aggression to anything else near them is very prevalent. So, you can either choose to do maybe 2-4 smaller, slightly less problematic fish, or a wet-pet, or a pair. For a pair, JDs are nice. They have wonderful color, and personality. They will fill up the tank as they get bigger. If you want a wet-pet, a JD or maybe a Green Texas, H. Carpintis, could work. You will really get to know the fish, they often has very unique attitudes and quirks. Its worth it if you want to have a real pet instead of a mindless animal. For a mixed tank, a group of fish like Firemouths, Rainbow Cichlids, or Convicts would work. If youre interested in this, let me know and i will elaborate further.
With the larger fish, you gain personality, but you will have limited options and high bioload. But believe me, personality is a wonderful thing after you spend money and time working on this every week.
So, let me know what you're interested in and i will elaborate further.
If money cant buy happiness, that why do I need a job? I mean, I should be getting these fish free, since I don't have to pay for happy...