Capital Exotic Fish

33 Gallon Flatback Hex

rich_one

rich_one

Members
I'm gonna finally do something with this tank. Right now, I am maybe 85% sure I'm going to go with shellies, because they are just a perfect cichlid to go with for this kind of tank, and I want more of a "colony" type cichlid than just a "pair" type cichlid, I believe. So based on this, I am currently thinking either multies or occies. I much prefer occies though... the gold ones.

But, before I render a final verdict, I was wondering... is there a "colony" style New World cichlid I can consider? I was thinking rams, but... I don't know... just not wowing me right now, you know? And I don't know enough about apistos to know if they can do the whole "colony" thing, or are more suited to just pairs.

Lastly, the only "pair" I think I'd consider over having a "colony", would be a pair of rainbow cichlids, but I am unsure if this size tank is considered too small for them. Anyone? Thanks in advance for your input!

-Rich
 
jonclark96

jonclark96

Past CCA President
I don't know of any colony type new worlds that would fit happily in a tank of that size. There are some geos that do better in groups, as well as some gymnogeos and uaru, but there probably isn't enough space for them.

I think a pair of rainbows would do fine in the tank. Not sure of any available locally right now, but Holly has a swarm of fry that may be ready in a few months.
 
rich_one

rich_one

Members
I think I'd like the rainbow cichlids first, and the shellies second, so this does indeed encourage me. I will reach out to Holly. Thanks for the advice, Jon!

-Rich
 
hollyfish2000

hollyfish2000

Members
Sent a PM

BTW, a colony of Bolivian rams might work. Not sure of the tank dimensions, but they can go in groups as opposed to pairs
 
verbal

verbal

CCA Members
I think with hiding spots and plants you could have a group of apistos in the tank. You would probably end up more with pairs with small territories that a true "colony", but I think they could be interesting to watch.
 
rich_one

rich_one

Members
Got your pm, and thanks, Holly! Kinda already been there/done that with the rams, so not so sure I'm into that right now.

Jesse, maybe I'll take a look at those. For whatever reason, I've always been somewhat inimidated by them. No real clue why, though. So at the moment, kinda looking like either occies or apistos... hmmm...

-Rich
 
Tony

Tony

Alligator Snapping Turtle/Past Pres
How about something like a Neolamp brichardi species tank?
 
M

mrkillie

Members
rich_one said:
LOL... but can julies live in groups? If I go Tang, I don't think I want to do pairs only of anything. One reason why I was thinking about gold occies.

-Rich
Click to expand...

I always kept them the same way as brichardi. Always ended up with groups whether I wanted them or not :)
 
rich_one

rich_one

Members
Hmmm... not sure on the occies yet.

I could also do something like shrimp and crays, for a home grown live food source for my bigger fish! LOL... decisions, decisions...

-Rich
 
rich_one

rich_one

Members
I think I'm finally decided. I think I'm going to go with a rainbow cichlid pair, and a group of 10 tiger barbs, a BN or other dwarf pleco, and some cories.

Sound like a plan?

-Rich
 
hollyfish2000

hollyfish2000

Members
Just a thought about the cories -- I love cories, too, and have six in with my rainbow pair. But despite some very good parenting, the parents never get their brood to maturity, and I"m blaming the cories. So if you'd like to raise babies in the tank with the parents, you might want to rethink cories.
 
Andrewtfw

Andrewtfw

Global Moderators
You may want to go with a barb or tetra that has a different color than the tiger barbs. They would get along fine but the colors are similar though the patterning is not. I think serpae, HY511 or Rosy Ornate tetras would look good. For barbs, I would consider black ruby or one of the rosy barb color morphs.
 
rich_one

rich_one

Members
hollyfish2000 said:
Just a thought about the cories -- I love cories, too, and have six in with my rainbow pair. But despite some very good parenting, the parents never get their brood to maturity, and I"m blaming the cories. So if you'd like to raise babies in the tank with the parents, you might want to rethink cories.
Click to expand...
Wow... I would have NEVER thought that from a cory! LOL... thanks, Holly. Duly noted!

-Rich
 
rich_one

rich_one

Members
Andrewtfw said:
You may want to go with a barb or tetra that has a different color than the tiger barbs. They would get along fine but the colors are similar though the patterning is not. I think serpae, HY511 or Rosy Ornate tetras would look good. For barbs, I would consider black ruby or one of the rosy barb color morphs.
Click to expand...
I gotta say, the black rubies are kinda cool looking. And I do like serpaes as well.

Serpaes are a little easier to be had local to me at Petsmart, so maybe I'll just go that route... though, I admit, for whatever reason, I have been wanting to get some tiger barbs for a while now. Maybe some albino tiger barbs?

-Rich
 
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