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Zach
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« on: November 07, 2009, 03:38:16 PM » |
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I want to get some species of cichlid for my 55 gallon but I cannot seem to find one that is compatible with the fish I currently have.
I have in this tank.
5x corydoras
8x silver tip tetras
4x black neons
1x emperor tetra
1x BN pleco
1x Snowball pleco
I had a ram before but I found that they bother the corydoras to much.
any suggestions?
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Mr T Rides BMX
Gender: 
Posts: 267
I Pity The fool Who Hasnt Cycled There Tank.....
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« Reply #1 on: November 09, 2009, 05:06:57 AM » |
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You could try some of those dang fangled earth eaters, Would probably opt towards those satanoperca types not those geophagus that seem to be what all the kool kids are wearing now days. (although i like those sexy balzinii) hubba hubba.
Just be careful that the corys arent an edible size. Its not much fun trying to remove one from some punk Geo's mouth.
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Hollyfish2000
Posts: 297
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« Reply #2 on: November 09, 2009, 10:43:00 AM » |
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I've not had trouble in the past between rams and cories. So it's possible you might want to try again. Sometimes it can be just a factor of particular personality of the ram. You might also want to increase the lodgings along the substrate (more driftwood, etc.) so there's enough for everyone. You don't mention if this is a planted tank, but that certainly helps as well.
You could certainly try a trio (1m-2F) of apisto. I particularly like borellis
A pair of keyholes or dwarf acaras would also work . . .
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Zach
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« Reply #3 on: November 13, 2009, 01:11:24 AM » |
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I totally forgot about this thread. Been spendin too much time on DeviantArt. lol
Anyway, I would like an apisto, but I don't want to spend to much money at the moment. I kinad want to try rams again, I like thier color. Last thime I tried them I only got one, I belive it was a german blue. Maybe If I get a pair, they will be too distracted to bother the cories. Are a pair of festivums a good Idea?
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Hollyfish2000
Posts: 297
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« Reply #4 on: November 13, 2009, 09:35:42 AM » |
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I have no experience with festivums, but go ahead and try again with rams (if you like them). And definitely do a pair (1M-1F), if you can figure that out). Another option would be Bolivian rams, which are a bit hardier than blue rams. Not necessarily quite as attractive, but full of personality. I have a group of five right now in QT ready to go into my 60 gallon planted tank with cories, tetras and two BN plecos. You should consider them. I'm told that in a group of five you really start to see some interesting social behavior . . .
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Zach
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« Reply #5 on: November 13, 2009, 11:33:40 AM » |
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I forgot to mention that this tank is planted with big matts of Java moss and has some driftwood and sand, if tht means anything
A group of five rams would be an interesting, although rather bold Idea. I might go with the bolivian Rams.
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Roflcopter
Gender:
Tanks: 10 gal planted, 55 gal SA community, 30 gallon pygmy chameleon
Posts: 311
I'm a fish nerd.
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« Reply #6 on: November 13, 2009, 03:55:21 PM » |
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Most cichlids wouldnt be a good idea for your plants, they like to tear up the substrate for no reason. Geophagus and gymnogeophagus will surely destroy the tank and uproot all your plants.
But, the rams would do good. They do occasionally eat directly from the substrate but not like its enough to ruin your plants.
I have experience with rams and I would suggest bolivians to a relatively new fishkeeper. They are much hardier than germans and as Hollyfish has said, once they get in a group situation they do have fun behaviors. You can easily do 3-5 bolivians in a 55. They are no where near as territorially aggressive as the larger cichlids but still make sure its easy for them to divide up the tank into separate territories just in case.
Just make sure you have enough room for them in your stocking plan so as to avoid overstocking. Since bolivians get up to 3" long, 3-5 of them will take up some room.
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Zach
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« Reply #7 on: November 14, 2009, 04:07:21 AM » |
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I should have specified that the substrate is acctually barren, the java moss grows on the upper branches of the driftwood, like a canopy.  I might just go with regular rams just to save some space, as I know the Bolivian ones a tad more chunky. |
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Roflcopter
Gender:
Tanks: 10 gal planted, 55 gal SA community, 30 gallon pygmy chameleon
Posts: 311
I'm a fish nerd.
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« Reply #8 on: November 14, 2009, 05:43:04 PM » |
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Actually germans and bolivians get about the same size, between 3 and 4 inches. I had 2 bolivians and 2 germans in a tank once and the largest of all of them was a huge female that must've been 3.5 inches long.
If you get the germans over the bolivians, wait until the tank is well established and you have a good tank maintenance routine down. Germans are very sensitive to old water so you'll definitely have to do at least 50% water change per week. I would also suggest extra filtration. I waited until my tank had been running for about 3 months before I even considered germans. If your tank has lots of hiding places for the germans they will be very happy, they like a nicely planted tank with lots of nooks and crannies.
I am still suggesting the bolivians. However, if you feel you can successfully keep german rams instead than thats on you.
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Zach
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« Reply #9 on: November 14, 2009, 09:57:20 PM » |
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I'm pretty sure bolivians are beefier than the germ rams arn't they?
That tank has been running for about 2 years so I'm pretty sure it is established now. anyway I think I will go with Bolivian Rams because they seem tougher than the german one's. The one I had before was healthy, just a little too pugnacious so I returned him.
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Roflcopter
Gender:
Tanks: 10 gal planted, 55 gal SA community, 30 gallon pygmy chameleon
Posts: 311
I'm a fish nerd.
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« Reply #10 on: November 15, 2009, 01:11:04 AM » |
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My experience is that they get about the same size. I didn't know you've kept them before so if you feel like I was talking down to you or something I'm sorry.
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Zach
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« Reply #11 on: November 15, 2009, 08:49:00 PM » |
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Naw I didn't really get that impression.
that is until you brought it up . lol
I'm still really curious about the possibility of keeping festivums, the profile says they get about four inches and are pretty peaceful, so I would imagine they would be fine in this tank right?
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Roflcopter
Gender:
Tanks: 10 gal planted, 55 gal SA community, 30 gallon pygmy chameleon
Posts: 311
I'm a fish nerd.
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« Reply #12 on: November 15, 2009, 11:48:24 PM » |
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Festivums are a fish I fell in love with at first glance. They narrowly got beat out by the pair of rainbow cichlids I have now for the "centerpiece" fish of my 55. From all the research I've done and from seeing them in person they do get around 4 inches.
They are interesting for a cichlid in the fact that they prefer to be in groups. If you have the room for them, I'd suggest getting 3-5 for you tank. But if not a pair would be fine also. They do need plants that go almost to or up to the surface of the water. They feel secure in the tall plants so that is something to consider.
If you're really interested in getting cichlids, I'd suggest rehoming the 1 emperor tetra and 4 black neons. You do have room for about 2 festivums but I would take out the smaller groups of tetras and opt out for the group of festivums or rams.
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Zach
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« Reply #13 on: November 16, 2009, 12:07:06 PM » |
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excellent, then I think that pretty much is all the info I wanted thank you.  |
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