New to Central & South American Cichlids

[Stanzzzz7]

How long could i keep them till i had to upgrade to a bigger tank? i

If you were to buy a 2 inch male, I think you would need to upgrade within a year.
I hear different things regarding the growth rates of green terrors. Although they do grow slower than many other cichlids, mine reached about 10 inches within a year.
This is all assuming that the green terror is the only cichlid in the tank. Multiple cichlids will not last long in that size footprint unless you choose much smaller peaceful species

 

[PhishMon84]

Cebtrals can grow quicker than you’d think-
I would agree with most that the trouble is the narrow depth of the tank.
I’ve had success with sm/md pairs in 75’s
Such as jd’s, nics, centrarchus (damn near perfect size and temperament IMO and beautiful if you can find them)

Nothing wrong with a wet pet setup but it can boring if it’s your only tank.

Maybe get a male and 6 females swords, get them breeding and settled, add a group of brochis, let them establish.

Spend that time reading up on your favorite looking/ personality fish. Be conservative on adult size- look for something that may top out at 10” and get a known male. Or buy a 40 breeder and grow out 4-6 and sell/trade the rest.

One thing you cannot buy in this hobby is patience.

 

[duanes]

One other thing I've noticed in my tanks, the more cichlids you put in one tank, the less the anthropomorphic the personality becomes, and a natural group-fish attitude becomes prominent, much as in the dynamic of a shoal of African cichlids.
Although individuals may react differently, and become more imprinted over time.
If you are looking for that "personable" recognition factor, keeping the tank to a single specimen (or pair) may be your best "way to go".
Any single cichlid (or for that matter any more highly evolved species) will imprint on you personally if that is it's only option, or outlet, the more other cichlids in a tank, the more that option diversifies into the group.
Sometimes only 3 cichlids together, can make the owner insignificant.
And obviously, the more time you put into the relationship (as my X-wife might attest) the more you get out of it.
A friend of mine has an octopus that builds lego structures, and at times seems to purposefully ignore him, if the mood hits.
But there I go, rambling agin.

 

[Deadliestviper7]

One other thing I've noticed in my tanks, the more cichlids you put in one tank, the less the anthropomorphic the personality becomes, and a natural group-fish attitude becomes prominent, much as in the dynamic of a shoal of African cichlids.
Although individuals may react differently, and become more imprinted over time.
If you are looking for that "personable" recognition factor, keeping the tank to a single specimen (or pair) may be your best "way to go".
Any single cichlid (or for that matter any more highly evolved species) will imprint on you personally if that is it's only option, or outlet, the more other cichlids in a tank, the more that option diversifies into the group.
Sometimes only 3 cichlids together, can make the owner insignificant.
And obviously, the more time you put into the relationship (as my X-wife might attest) the more you get out of it.
A friend of mine has an octopus that builds lego structures, and at times seems to purposefully ignore him, if the mood hits.
But there I go, rambling agin.

More about the octopus please!

 

[sbloxy123]

One other thing I've noticed in my tanks, the more cichlids you put in one tank, the less the anthropomorphic the personality becomes, and a natural group-fish attitude becomes prominent, much as in the dynamic of a shoal of African cichlids.
Although individuals may react differently, and become more imprinted over time.
If you are looking for that "personable" recognition factor, keeping the tank to a single specimen (or pair) may be your best "way to go".
Any single cichlid (or for that matter any more highly evolved species) will imprint on you personally if that is it's only option, or outlet, the more other cichlids in a tank, the more that option diversifies into the group.
Sometimes only 3 cichlids together, can make the owner insignificant.
And obviously, the more time you put into the relationship (as my X-wife might attest) the more you get out of it.
A friend of mine has an octopus that builds lego structures, and at times seems to purposefully ignore him, if the mood hits.
But there I go, rambling agin.

Interesting!... I do want something more personable. JD's are really growing on me now so I may be leaning that way for one of my selections.
The other is the Blood Parrot (which may be frowned upon as it's a hybrid!) as they have such great personality and my gf likes them.
Going by your advice i may just go for these and some dither fish. I know Tiger Barbs are from Indonesia but could they work?

Spend that time reading up on your favorite looking/ personality fish. Be conservative on adult size- look for something that may top out at 10” and get a known male. Or buy a 40 breeder and grow out 4-6 and sell/trade the rest.

I only have room for the new 63 gallon unfortunately


I just wanted to thank everyone for their help. I have spent ALOT of time looking through forums but by asking the question myself I have learnt so much and can make a well informed decision.. I will make sure I come back once I have set the tank up to share

 

[sbloxy123]

If you decide on sajica, as a pair, they may be able to live a long time in a 63, although they will not tolerate other cichlids (as a pair)
I find as a pair the females are more intense in color, especially when spawning.

female

male

for tank mates a shoal of geographically correct live bearers such as mollies or swordtails would work well, and not be challenging territorially, as the presence of any cichlid would.

Very nice.. but I don't think I can keep a pair as I don't have the option of a grow out tank...

I was looking out for Sajica in the 2 shops I visited yesterday but could find any. I will keep looking.

I know i asked this in my previous post but do Tiger Barbs fair will with CA Cichlids?

 

[sbloxy123]

Any thoughts on adding one or two Catfish to the mix? Not big Catfish.
I was thinking.. 1 x JD, 1 x Blood Parrot, 5-10 dither fish, 1/2 Catfish, and maybe a Sajica..?

I'm getting pretty excited about setting this up.
However, I will be transferring my Mbuna to the tank for a little while so wont be rushing into it.

 

[Gourami Swami]

Any thoughts on adding one or two Catfish to the mix? Not big Catfish.
I was thinking.. 1 x JD, 1 x Blood Parrot, 5-10 dither fish, 1/2 Catfish, and maybe a Sajica..?

I'm getting pretty excited about setting this up.
However, I will be transferring my Mbuna to the tank for a little while so wont be rushing into it.

TIger barbs are very nippy, even at larger fish they will annoy them by biting fins. I would recommend large swordtails since these are (except parrot) CA cichlids, and that is what they live with in the wild. A large JD might eat the swords, though most are too slow and lazy. If you stick with a female JD (much better idea for this tank size) I don't think she would get any.
Another option would be large tetras like Colombians or Buenos Aires. Some say the BA tetras nip too but I think they are not nearly as bad as barbs.
I think you could add a smallish catfish like a raphael if you wanted to.

 

[sbloxy123]

TIger barbs are very nippy, even at larger fish they will annoy them by biting fins. I would recommend large swordtails since these are (except parrot) CA cichlids, and that is what they live with in the wild. A large JD might eat the swords, though most are too slow and lazy. If you stick with a female JD (much better idea for this tank size) I don't think she would get any.
Another option would be large tetras like Colombians or Buenos Aires. Some say the BA tetras nip too but I think they are not nearly as bad as barbs.
I think you could add a smallish catfish like a raphael if you wanted to.

Thanks for the heads up.
I think Buenos Aires would look cool. Or was thinking maybe Giant Danios. 5 of each maybe.
I've seen members on other forums advise that a 55 gallon is big enough for a JD..
Bearing in mind my tank size is: 47.6" x 16.1" x 21.7" (63 Gallon)... whereas a 55 is around 13" wide.. do you strongly advise against a male JD? - if it helps, i could scrap the Sajica or Blood Parrot.
Raphaels look like a good option. I was looking at Brisslenose's but Raphaels look more active.

 

[Gourami Swami]

I think you could just barely do a male JD, but it would not want to share a tank this size when it gets large. Males are more aggressive in general. SO if you want the BP and sajica, female JD would be a better idea IMO.

Bristlenose pleco would be a good option, Raphaels are actually not very active, 90% of the time they sit under a log.