Topic: New to Cichlids

[1BigFin]

  Hi,
I have a 166gal tank and want to set it up as a community tank.  I want to raise Green Terrors and Oscars in it, but need to know what other cichlids I can raise in it and how many.  Can you help?  Also what is a dither fish?

Thanks,
1BigFin

[Ezekial]

First of all welcome .  What are the dimensions of a 166 gallon?   As to how many cichlids you can keep it depends on size and aggression level.  What cichlids are you interested in besides the GT's and O's?  There are several that are compatible more or less with those including severums, firemouths, acaras, convicts, any archocentrus species, many geophagus species, etc, etc, etc.  I would stay away from the really aggressive cichlids like the red terror, red devil, jags, etc.

[Gerry]

Welcome, enjoy the site.

[1BigFin]

Thanks for the replies, 
My tank dimensions are (inside) 71"long x 23"wide x 23.5"high.  I'm also interested in JDs, Convicts, Firemouths, Severums, and plecostomus.  Perhaps I can be persuaded toward other cichlids also.  By the way, what are dither fish and do I need them? 
 
Thanks

[Tim]

Hey welcome to the WC.
Dither is aterm used to describe any fish to swims around the tank an dosen't hide! A dither encourages its shy tankmates to come out because they think its safe!

[fnesr]

welcome aboard 1bigfin  .

[1BigFin]

Thanks for the answer Tinman.  What are some dithers that I can put with the types of cichlids I want to raise?
 
Thanks,
BigFin
 
PS: How do I get the flag of my country under my name?

[fnesr]

Giant Danio's are a popular dither.

PS: How do I get the flag of my country under my name?

use this link or click on the "member map" icon at the top of the forum index page (near your "profile", "help" icons etc.) ....and then place a pin on the world map where you live 

member map

[1BigFin]

Thanks fnesr,

I got my country under my name now.  Also I'll have to check out the Danios.

[Fenster]

Welcome to the WC bigfin.  Excellent info here to help ya every step and beyond with your new set-up. 

166g, giddy up.  The Giant Danios make a great dither, Ive got a school in my 75g, with a tank your size you could get a big school of them if you wanted, like 10-12 or so. They are real fast, will swim you dizzy until they settle in a bit.  they only grow to 4-5" so thats why i said you could add so many if you wanted to, would make a cool "big school".
 
With 166g you could also go the larger dither options like Silver Dollars and Tinfoils Barbs. Both are school fish, both will grow big so a smaller pack, but good mates for big cichlids if you have the room. The SDs i think grow to bout 8ish", and the Tinfoil Barbs can top out BIG, like 11ish", so fewer of them. maybe 7 SDs or 4-5 Tinfoils in a tank that size.

These numbers arent "scientific" by any means  just some thoughts for ya cause a good school of fish roaming around really adds to a tank I think, and they will clean up alot of extra food bits that messy cichlid will "spill" plenty   

(ramblin  )-  again, welcome to the WC 1BigFin.

[1BigFin]

Thanks for the advice Fenster.  I'll check out the fish you mentioned also.

[fnesr]

I'm not sure if you know or not, so ignore this if it's old news, but there's a lot of settings you can edit regarding how the forum, your posts etc. look within your profile on the lefthand side BigFin aswell  .

...I just mention it as you asked about the map so I'm not sure if you know about all the other editable features 

[Dan]

Welcome to WC!

[Ezekial]

All the fish are possibilities in that tank.  How many is the question.  Post a question under American Cichlids and it will be addressed.

[1BigFin]

All right Joe,  I'll try that.