Ha! I just re-read what I wrote, yeah, it didn't really make much sense.
so, let me re-ask.
I have a 100 gallon tank. I have always loved Central and South American Cichlids. I need a mix that works. my main loves are the Firemouths and I eventually want at least a pair of Severum. along with that, I've been given 7 small Convict hybrids that are no longer so small, and two Salvini.
the Salvini are the worry. the get a bit testy as they get bigger. Firemouths and Severum can hold their own, but I worried about the Blue Acaras, so I picked up 3 Green Terrors, not fully grasping that they get to 12 inches.
if it weren't for their size, everything would be fine, but I can't feature having 3, 12 inch fish prowling around in my tank. 100 gallon is good sized, but not big enough for them and several 3 inch fish, something bad will eventually happen.
I love the Andinoacara family of fish, but the Terrors are too big, and the blues are too mild.
so, I guess my question is, is there an Acara type that gets to around 5-6 inches, and is tough enough to make it in a fairly aggressive tank?
I should probably mention, I have a fairly large pair of Mollies in the tank. maybe they deserve their own thread, but just quickly here's the short reasoning.
I was worried about the Convicts breeding like rabbits, as they tend to do, and a nice lady, who lives in Central America says she keeps Mollies in her Convict tank to keep the population down. apparently, the Cichlids don't see the Mollies as a threat, and don't bother them, and the Mollies, in their natural habitat, not only co-exist with Convicts in the same rivers and streams, but will target the eggs, and fry.
I know, doesn't sound right, but so far it's working like a charm. a couple months in, and no dead Mollies, and no babies.
here's a photo of my crew at present:
