Help/Advice welcome!! I'm new at this...

[sgerhold0513]

Hi,
I'm purchasing a new tank, probably gonna be around 75gal. I want to switch from tropical community to a cichlid community. I've never kept cichlids before, so I'm seeking any advice or helpful tidbits.
I also have some specific questions...
I currently have dwarf gouramis, corycats, and tetras. Can any of these live alongside cichlids? I'm particularly fond of my little corycats
Also, what is a good cichlid for beginners?
ANY other advice is welcome. I'm experienced in tropical community fish, but clueless when it comes to cichlids. Educate me!
Thanks in advance

 

[dogofwar]

Welcome and glad you found us, Samantha!

A 75g is a great size tank and gives you lots of options.

A wonderful first cichlid is the Keyhole Cichlid (http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=139) and it can fit well with community fish like gouramis, tetras and cory cats.

I'd really recommend coming to check out AquaMania on Mar 9-10 (www.capitalcichlids.org/aquamania). We'll have an Aquarium Genius table to answer any questions about cichlids or fishkeeping and there will be more fish enthusiasts than you can imagine...

Take care,
Matt

 

[verbal]

If you want to build around cories, then South American Dwarf cichlids and or Angelfish are the way to go.

If you tetras are large enough or your cichlids small enough, they can work together. Apistogrammas(Apistos) will work with most tetras. With Apistos the "fancy" varieties are often a little less demanding because they have become adapted to aquarium conditions.

Rams are also a good choice for a community tank. With Rams make sure you start with healthy stock. Frank Cowherd breeds some great rams.

 

[hollyfish2000]

You could do two pairs of rainbow cichlids in a 75, put some easy real plants like java fern, crypts, anubias and a nice big school of tetras, cories and a BN pleco or two. That would be a nice tank. All of these are available from CCA members.

 

[sgerhold0513]

Thanks so much!
I'd love to go to a fishkeeping event, I see it's in Maryland? If I can find a babysitter, my hubby and I might drive up. We live just west of Richmond VA.

I've been wanting a German blue ram or two, as well as a pleco (tank is currently too small for a pleco)! I was kind of under the impression that cichlids only get along with other cichlids... so this is good news to me I'll do some more research on the names y'all gave me.

I'm also definitely doing a planted tank. My current tank is planted, I'm going to transfer what I have and stock up on some more

I have one more question. You know how the general rule of thumb for freshwater fish is one inch of fish per gallon? I read somewhere that that isn't the case with cichlids. I read that you can pack the tank with cichlids, more so than with tropical community fish. Is that true? I would think that would cause unsafe water conditions...

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[verbal]

Thanks so much!
I'd love to go to a fishkeeping event, I see it's in Maryland? If I can find a babysitter, my hubby and I might drive up. We live just west of Richmond VA.

It is a kid-friendly event, so feel free to bring your child(ren) if you can't get a sitter.

I've been wanting a German blue ram or two, as well as a pleco (tank is currently too small for a pleco)!

Don't get a common pleco. Even if you had the tank space(125/180 gallon) there are better options. For the vast majority of tanks Bristlenose Plecos(4 maybe 5 inch max) should really be the default pleco.

I was kind of under the impression that cichlids only get along with other cichlids... so this is good news to me I'll do some more research on the names y'all gave me.

I have one more question. You know how the general rule of thumb for freshwater fish is one inch of fish per gallon?

It is an okay(but not very precise) rule when dealing with fish that are 2 to 3 inches. On the tank side of things the "footprint" determines stocking rather than the number of gallons.

Use this site as a guideline:
http://aqadvisor.com/

It tends to be a little on the conservative side and sometimes alerts you about stockings/combinations that are pretty reasonable.

I read somewhere that that isn't the case with cichlids. I read that you can pack the tank with cichlids, more so than with tropical community fish. Is that true? I would think that would cause unsafe water conditions...

Sent from my DROID RAZR using MonsterAquariaNetwork App

The tank and occupants you describe, would have normal stocking densities. Malawi cichlids(mbuna especially) are often kept at high stocking levels. This is done by over filtering and large and frequent water changes. A 55 gallon tank could have filtration rated at 180 gallons+. Also weekly water changes of 75% or higher are not unusual in those stocking situations.

 

[sgerhold0513]

Bristlenose pleco.. OK I'll remember that. Sounds more interesting anyways, lol.

Ah, Yes, I remember that site. I used it quite a bit when I was doing research to stock my first tank.

75% water change with a 75+ gallon tank every week is a bit much for me, with a two year old boy running around! I'll just keep my new tank stocked "normally" versus trying to overstock and battle to keep it clean.

Thanks for your pateince and advice!

Now for the hard part... waiting for the tank to cycle....

 

[hollyfish2000]

New world don't need to be "packed in" like Africans do. They also do well in planted tanks.