Topic: New Tank - Ideas?

[NightRayne]

Hi All,

I haven't been on in forever as I got out of fish for awhile and was focusing on reptiles.

Well I'm setting my 55g (48"x12"x22" - ??) back up and am looking for some ideas for what to stock it with. I usually prefer C/SA rather than Africans.

I'd prefer more than 1 fish in the tank (yes I know it's not very big for most cichlids) in order to give the tank more visual interest.

I was thinking about a Green Severum (hard to find in my area though) or maybe a JD or something else with personality. However I'd also like to keep some community fish in the tank if possible, but they are not a necessity.

Please offer up some ideas/suggestions, it's been so long, I've gotten a bit rusty on my cichlids.
Thanks!!

[Dan]

As far as the community fish, it depends what else you wanna put in there with your Cichlids.  Firemouths, Cons, Blue Acaras. and others., like Gerry suggested.

[Alex]

u will be surprised what fish you can stock in a tank that size.

go down to the best local fish store have a look whats around and ask what kind of fish they can get in. and go from there.

alex

[NightRayne]

Thanks for the thoughts and ideas.

Right now there is just a little platy and a beta in there (they must love the room  ) as I wait to make sure the cycling is ok. (I borrowed some media and gravel from a friend, so it only seemed to go through a mini-cycle.)

I think maybe this weekend/next week I'll test my water again and maybe hit my LFS (well not so local, but the only one near me I like and trust). I'm still leaning towards at least 1 green severum, but I never even thought to ask the main guy there what they can get in and what he thinks.

- I realized when resetting up my tank I had given away all my rocks, plants and even some wicked cool driftwood    (I gave it to my Mom, I must really love her lol  )

[Alex]

i would know, half of the stuff that comes in on the availabilty list we cannot stock because we just havent got the room for it all. but there are also alot of things that people just dont want to pay the money for so we dont stock them either.

alex

[NightRayne]

Choices choices, tooooo many choices lol. I'm also debating on a Texas, which are beautiful and they finally seem to have some in my area, but I'm a bit concerned about aggression 

So far I'm thinking of a Green Severum (maybe 2?), maybe a Texas, a Convict, and a firemouth or two. Just some rough thoughts, I have difficulty limiting myself lol.  I want them all. I think I'd like a bigger tank, but I'm not comfortable with anything much bigger (due to weight) as I'm on the 12 floor of my (older) apartment building.

Oh I should ask, with any of the above or from anyone else's posts, do I need to be concerned about interbreeding?

[slakey]

:O If your thinking about all of them as the final stock you will be very very overstocked *this coming from a nooby*
1 severum needs a minimum of 55gallons I've heard.

[Ezekial]

You would be overstocked with this:

So far I'm thinking of a Green Severum (maybe 2?), maybe a Texas, a Convict, and a firemouth or two.

If those are the fish you like here are some options;

1.  A pair of severums or
2.  1 Texas cichlid (too big and too aggressive to mix in that size tank) or
3.  A pair of FM's or
4.  A severum adn a convict or
5.  A severum and a FM or
6.  A convict and a FM. or
7.  A pair of convicts

Some might say a pair of convicts with a FM or a pair of FM's with a convict but i'd be concerned about aggression toward the odd man out once mating starts if you happen to get a male and female.  Maybe a breeding pair of Texas cichlid's would work but I think that's pushing it. 

[slakey]

I wouldn't put 2 severums in a 55g, I'm concered about putting them in my 80g!

[NightRayne]

Interesting, there seems to be a bit of difference of opinion lately 

Some people have posted that a couple smaller cichlids (Ex. Firemouths) and a Sev could work, others say no, etc.

Also, on having a pair Sev's in a 55g, some say no but some yes, the Sev profile written by Tracy mentions a pair would be ok in this size (however bigger is always better).

This is definately something I'll have to give much more thought.

[Ezekial]

A 55 is an OK size for a pair of sevs.  Males usually top out around 10-11" and females are generally smaller, maxing at 8-9".  That's about the biggest I'd say for a pair in a 55. 

There will always be some difference of opinion as none of these things are guarantees'.  FOr the most part it's all opinion.  I'd think the majority of the time a breeding pair of sevs will do just fine in a 55.  There are always cases where it might not work though.  Like I said there are no guarantee's.

I wouldn't put 2 severums in a 55g, I'm concered about putting them in my 80g!

I wouldn't have any concerns about a pair of sevs in an 80 gallon.  That's plenty big enough for a pair of O's and they get much larger and are more aggressive adn boisterous than severums are.   

[slakey]

Hmm ok. Mines a 300L.

For dimensions looks at the Juwel Rio300 as that is what I've got

[tracey]

Also, on having a pair Sev's in a 55g, some say no but some yes, the Sev profile written by Tracy mentions a pair would be ok in this size (however bigger is always better).

I used to keep one of my Sev pairs in a 55g and never had any problems.  A solitary Sev would also need 55g minimum for its territory, but a breeding pair will not require more territory than a single fish, hence my pair were quite comfortable in my 55g tank.

When I had the two females together in the 55g for a few days it was all out war 

My opinion and experience...... one Sev in 55 gallons...... a breeding pair (m/f) of Sevs in 55 gallons....... 2 female Sevs or 2 male Sevs, all bets are off, give them as much space as you can 

[slakey]

Ok cool, just wanted someone to check that before he went through with it.
And also find out for myself.

[Maddy mad man]

I had a breedeing pair in a 55g without probs but i wouldnt have 2 same sex