Rare South American cichlids
- Thread starter RealCrix220
- Start date
Rare is a very relative term, where I lived (in the area within 100 miles of Chicago) I doubt that anything would be considered really rare within the America cichlid realm except maybe Nandopsis ramsdeni, and that's only because of the international politics, or maybe Tomocichla asfraci, and I had asfraci twice in the last 10 years.
I belonged to the Greater Chicago Cichlid Assn, and just about anything was within reach in that club.
The only other rare cichlids I can think of are Malagasy because of that countries restrictions of exporting native species, and difficulty in successful breeding, or Iranocichlaa hormuzensus (another because politics). From Africa the genus Sargotochromis or Serranochromis mostly because they are considered too large for typical aquariums to be uneconomical to be exported (to few interested buyer).
I belonged to the Greater Chicago Cichlid Assn, and just about anything was within reach in that club.
The only other rare cichlids I can think of are Malagasy because of that countries restrictions of exporting native species, and difficulty in successful breeding, or Iranocichlaa hormuzensus (another because politics). From Africa the genus Sargotochromis or Serranochromis mostly because they are considered too large for typical aquariums to be uneconomical to be exported (to few interested buyer).
Hoplarchus Psittacus and Atromaculatum are very cool SA cichlids. If you want more central americans you probably need to get rid of the geophagus types you are keeping as CA's are generally more aggressive than SA cichlids. Other reasonably rare fish are Lentiginosum, Coeruleus and Irregulare on the riverine side. Beani, Minckleyi, Nourissati as well.
this is my 1st post ever. i believe the red terror if in charge will be less oppressive than the RTM if he's in charge. i keep festae with bucourti, pearsi, salvini and others ya'll mentioned. festae let everyone know their in control and allow other to sort it out, while occasionally reminding. my RTM wont be satisfied til they own the tank. i realize it isnt an american cichlid but live in similar warter parameters...have you considered hemichromis elongatus or frempongi??? also how do i asign an image with my profile
Thanks for all your posts I also only posted 1st time ever yesterday and am trying to get used to this whole thing.
When I say rare I mean not widely available and rarely seen in aquariums. I'm going to look up all the types of fish people are giving me.
My terror is female and she runs my tank but she's not aggressive towards the other fish as I think they all know where they stand with her. When she lays her eggs everything else just gives her, her space.
My tank is very very chilled and calm and all my fish get along great. I thought I was going to have lots of trouble with these types of fish but it's very chilled. My geo's are quite large and nothing bothers them at all
When I say rare I mean not widely available and rarely seen in aquariums. I'm going to look up all the types of fish people are giving me.
My terror is female and she runs my tank but she's not aggressive towards the other fish as I think they all know where they stand with her. When she lays her eggs everything else just gives her, her space.
My tank is very very chilled and calm and all my fish get along great. I thought I was going to have lots of trouble with these types of fish but it's very chilled. My geo's are quite large and nothing bothers them at all
Just curious why, when the OP is asking about American cichlids for a biotope,why you would suggest Africans, like Hemichromis?
It sounds like you just need to learn about some more cichlids, no offense is intended here. But, if your LFS guy couldn't correctly identify a Bocourti... I would suggest to just do some more research. Hope this doesn't come off the wrong way.
A less common Central American I would suggest looking into is Oscura Heterospilus, formerly Vieja Heterospilus. (Not my picture below.)
A less common Central American I would suggest looking into is Oscura Heterospilus, formerly Vieja Heterospilus. (Not my picture below.)
...and probably the most aggressive lb for lb cichlid on the planet to boot. Very bad idea
