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Good pond cichlids?

FluffySackson

FluffySackson

Gambusia
MFK Member
thinking of getting a 300 gallon tub and burying the base of it in the soil in order to make a pond. Are there any good cichlids SA/CA that can survive in the climate of Los Angeles? I know beani are out of the question due to their pickiness of temperature.
 
I have had beani in a pond spring thru fall without issue, and believe the diurnal temp changes where it gets cool at night, may do them some good.
That said, any of the Uruguayan cichlids are good candidates because Uruguay has a bit of a more temperate climate.
I have kept all the cichlids below in my pond, where water temps in spring and fall (and even summer nights) drop into the low 50s, and in August and Sept hit 80sF
Uruguayan Crenicichla saxatilus

Gymnogeophagus "yerbalito"

Gymnogeophagus paso pache

Australoheros sp red ceibal

all 3 of the above species have spawned in my pond
Geophagus iporangensus

and this spring I put Cichlasoma dimerus in the pond in May, and temps easily dipped in the 40s here.
 
Since gymogeophagus is pond friendly, what about g. Altiftons? They look really cool in a big school from an overhead view. Lfs sells huge ones for 30 bucks a piece
 
Gymnogeophagus come from temperate waters that fluctuate with seasons, Geophagus altifrons are from waters on the equator where fluctuation are not as dramatic. The difference between Gymno and Geo is night and day.
For example the distance from Manaus, Brazil to Montevideo, Uruguay is over 3000 miles, and in South America the further south you go, the colder you get.
The distance between Toronto, Canada and Houston, Texas is only 1500 miles, an example to compare climatic conditions.
 
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One other thing, although most cichlid colors appear vibrant from the side, thru the aquarium glass. Those same colors from above, are great camouflage against things such as bird predation.
Below a shot of Gymnogeos in my pond.

below is a shot from above

same fish in the same cenote from the side
 
what plants? Should I just dump in some twigs and leaves from the surrounding trees? The only potential predator in my area are the owls. I don't count sparrows and rabbits.
 
I always thought that it was the vertically compressed bodies of the cichlids that made them hard to see from above.
 
My point was not that they would be prey, but that cichlids (unlike goldfish and koi which are bred to be seen from above) become almost invisible from above, or at least very hard to see, unless the light is just perfect.
Although I put my Cichlasoma dimerus in the pond in May, I have not seen them except once since then.
I use water lilies for plants, they help with water quality, and also provide shade which keeps the water from overheating around noon.
 
I understood you and I wasn't debating.Just adding something else as to why cichlids and most tropicals don't really lend themselves to being pond fish as well as goldfish and koi do.
 
Yeah K, I also think the compressed body makes them look like leaves and plants, and helps in camouflage.
I think Fluffy misunderstood my point, because he replied about the owls.
Also the way reflective scales on cichlids and other fish catch light and shimmer, blends with the sunlight reflection on the water surface.
 
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