QTOFFER
Aquarium Advice Addict
I would like to make some cichlids the centerpiece fish in my 58 gal show tank. Any suggestions, advice, or comments based on the information below? Thanks all in advance.
What I am looking for:
A relatively peaceful cichlid that won't gnaw on its tankmates; that won't dig up the plastic plants or overturn the ornaments; that won't grow into a 12 inch monster; that is interesting to watch, not too timid, and is moderately colorful and attractive.
The Candidate Fish (from my research so far):
Blue Acara (Aequidens pulcher)
Keyhole Cichlid
Festivum (Mesonata festivus)
Bolivian Ram
Rainbow Krib (Pelvicachromis pulcher)
The Tank and its current inhabitants:
A mature, cycled 58 gal (36 inch wide x 18 inch deep x 18 inch tall) that is currently home to black phantom tetras, zebrafish, and corys. A bristlenose pleco and perhaps a dojo loach may be added in the future.
Tank Decor:
The tank has a 2 inch deep substrate of small dark brown river stones. There is alot of rock in the tank - mostly petrified wood and sandstone - arranged to provide plenty of small caves. In front of the rock, I have several low bushy plastic plants and some real driftwood. Several tall, bushy plastic plants hide the filter intake and heater. In addition, there are several hollow ornaments that provide shelter.
Water:
My tap water is pH 6.8 - 7.0 with a GH of 3 degrees and a KH of 3 degrees. I would prefer not to have to doctor the water in any way other than adding dechlorinator.
Filtration and heat:
An Eheim 2026 cannister filter (251 GPH output) that provides 4 - 5X turnover per hour. 300 W heater
What I am looking for:
A relatively peaceful cichlid that won't gnaw on its tankmates; that won't dig up the plastic plants or overturn the ornaments; that won't grow into a 12 inch monster; that is interesting to watch, not too timid, and is moderately colorful and attractive.
The Candidate Fish (from my research so far):
Blue Acara (Aequidens pulcher)
Keyhole Cichlid
Festivum (Mesonata festivus)
Bolivian Ram
Rainbow Krib (Pelvicachromis pulcher)
The Tank and its current inhabitants:
A mature, cycled 58 gal (36 inch wide x 18 inch deep x 18 inch tall) that is currently home to black phantom tetras, zebrafish, and corys. A bristlenose pleco and perhaps a dojo loach may be added in the future.
Tank Decor:
The tank has a 2 inch deep substrate of small dark brown river stones. There is alot of rock in the tank - mostly petrified wood and sandstone - arranged to provide plenty of small caves. In front of the rock, I have several low bushy plastic plants and some real driftwood. Several tall, bushy plastic plants hide the filter intake and heater. In addition, there are several hollow ornaments that provide shelter.
Water:
My tap water is pH 6.8 - 7.0 with a GH of 3 degrees and a KH of 3 degrees. I would prefer not to have to doctor the water in any way other than adding dechlorinator.
Filtration and heat:
An Eheim 2026 cannister filter (251 GPH output) that provides 4 - 5X turnover per hour. 300 W heater
Here's the fish I'd love to see you keep Q. You'll have to get rid of the danios though.
