650G South American Cichlids

[Pedro Cruz]

Hi guys!

I've been away from MFK for a while, but not from fishtanks.

I've recently changed my biggest tank layout and species. Since then, I am keeping 10 Cichlas - intermedia, orinocensis, kelberi, melaniae.
Meanwhile, I needed to introduce some bottom fish to "clean" the rests of food the cichlas left at the beginning, before they got used to pellets (as they are now).
I don't like to feed live food.
So, I also have a 20cm Panaque nigrolineatus, a 35cm Oxydora niger, a pair of Ancistrus sp, a 15cm Platydora costatus, 2 Synodontis eupterus (that will soon leave the tank).
The cichlas aren't the only south American Cichlids. I've 2 Geophagus winemilleri with 20 and 25cm and I'm looking to add some more while Cichlas are small (around 15-20cm).

In the next weeks I plan to introduce an adult couple of Hoplarchus psittacus (parrot cichlid), another Oxydora niger and a Giraffe catfish - I know the Giraffe will be out of its biotope, but I always wanted to have one and now I got the chance. He will be ok on this water parameters.

Hope you enjoy the layout and the fish, and I will appreciate all your comments.

Cheers

 

[Pedro Cruz]

 

[TheWolfman]

Nice setup should really be nice when they grow out, be careful with that parrot they can be nasty little buggers and nip at you bass.

 

[Pedro Cruz]

Do you think I would be able to keep the 10 adult cichlas in this tank?

And the tankmates, specially other smaller adult Cichlids?

 

[marcusyon]

How big is your tank ?

 

[TheWolfman]

If you can keep up with water quality I don’t see why not. The smaller fish might have a problem with competition for food. It all depends on the personalities of your fish are, your just going to have to keep a close eye on your fish.

 

[Pedro Cruz]

650G.

2,5m X 1,5m X 80cm

 

[Pedro Cruz]

Hello.
I am glad to update with some great news: I've finaly purchased one of me dreams fish - GIRAFFE CATFISH! I know he is not from this south American biotope, but I think he will be fine here. It is a wonderful active fish!

These are the guys swimming around on the tank right now:

- 10 Cichlas
- Geophagus winemilleri couple - trying to spawn between these fellows!
- 1 Giraffe catfish
- 1 Oxydora niger
- 1 Panaque nigrolineatus (royal pleco)
- 1 Platydora costatus
- Ancistrus sp couple

That's all right now!

 

[adamsfishes]

Awesome setup. Is it plywood? I'd like to have a setup like this one day.

 

[Pedro Cruz]

Thank you.
No, it is fiberglass.

Cheers!