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Friendly cichlids

28K views 24 replies 9 participants last post by  crazy4fish 
#1 ·
I'm currently in the planning stages for my new 55 gallon tank. I think cichlids are really interesting, beautiful fish, but I really want this tank to be a very friendly community tank.

It seems like everything I read on cichlids has a different opinion- one website says a fish is peaceful, the next says it's extremely aggressive. Does anyone have recommendations for a smallish (up to 4 inches), very peaceful cichlid?
 
#2 ·
here is a list of some...

FRIENDLY :D
african butterfly cichlids, dwarf cichlids(any kind like agassiz's, cockatoo, macmaster's, three-striped, or golden-eyed), rams, keyholes, angels, discus, firemouth, lemon cichlids, birchardi, checkerboard cichlids, electric yellow cichlids
TOLERANT :)
tiger tilapia, julies(all kinds), frontosa cichlids, maybe kribensis, slender cichlids, peacock cichlids
I'M PRETTY SURE BUT NOT POSITIVE THEY ARE NICE :roll:
blue acaras, slender geophagus, orange chromide, flag cichlids, severum, festivum

here is a link that will be helpful. :wink:

http://www.tropicalfishcentre.co.uk/Cichlids.htm
 
#3 ·
The term "friendly" when refferring to cichlids is a relative term. They can be fairly peaceful until spawning time, then they go through this "Dr. Jekyl, Mr. Hyde" thing. The turn-around can be from barely noticeable to an all out attack on any and all tankmates. So, use the term loosely and with cichlid behavior in mind.
 
#4 ·
herefishy said:
The term "friendly" when refferring to cichlids is a relative term. They can be fairly peaceful until spawning time, then they go through this "Dr. Jekyl, Mr. Hyde" thing. The turn-around can be from barely noticeable to an all out attack on any and all tankmates. So, use the term loosely and with cichlid behavior in mind.
would it be any different if you just kept one fish of each species by chance? or would they try breeding with another species?
 
#5 ·
yippee said:
would it be any different if you just kept one fish of each species by chance? or would they try breeding with another species?
Cichlids are intelligent fish and have various personalities so it is very difficult with most species to predict how they will do well in a community. Each fish is unique and will always have a personality far different from most.

Depending on the species of cichlids you are talking about, cichlids of similar genus can crossbreed easily whereas others cannot. Convicts have been found to crossbreed with other cichlids of Central America with ease. Lake Malawi cichlids can also crossbreed easily though the irony of it is that they are said not to do that in the wild other than in captive conditions. The latter was explained in an article as far as I can remember.
 
#6 ·
I had a Keyhole that I kept with gouramis and he was very mellow. But, as stated it's really the individual personality of the fish. Although, I do think that just keeping one of the species would be much safer than a pair.
 
#7 ·
Yeah, I'd be quite happy to just keep one of them. I assume if I only keep one they won't get aggressive during spawning time, as there won't be spawning time? I also plan on getting it as young as possible, right at the start of my tank, so that they're used to the other inhabitants. I've had a lot of luck with that so far- and obviously keeping them well fed too. My goal is a heavily planted tank, so there should be lots of hidey holes and spots to stake out territory. I just feel like my tank is missing one key fish- and I don't know what it is!

Here's the 55 gallon plan so far:
Top- 5 honey gourami
Middle- 3 guppies, 6 threadfin rainbowfish
Bottom- 6 corys

So I've got a lot of cool shoaling fish, but I'd like someone who hangs out in the middle, who's an iindividual, and is intelligent and uniquely marked and/or colorful. Sounds like a cichlid to me!
 
#8 ·
The guppies and threadfins in your tank limits your choice
of Cichlid as they will have to be small.
But a trio of apistos would work well as would Kribensis
and Rams, of if you can get them Elliotti are a lovely wee cichlid.
here's a pic of one of mine for reference.



 
#9 ·
i have read in a few places that kribensis would not be the friendliest choice. keyholes will be absolutly fine and so would rams. since they have to be small you could try checkerboard, dwarf cichlids, flag cichlids, lemon cichlids(they are extremely bright and may be just what you are looking for and only grow to be about 3-4 inches long :D ). i know i listed these before but i singled out the small ones this time. :wink:
 
#10 ·
Awesome! I've heard really cool things about rams, so I'll have to look more into them.

Also, it's looking like I might be getting a 75, not a 55! The guy I was gonna buy it off of has a complete 75G setup for $300- and it's 4 months old! Still looking for smallish cichlids, just because I like them having little mouths, for other fishy safety. I really love my guppies, and the threadfins are by far my boyfriend's favorite fish, not to mention really cool, so I'd like to keep both of them.

If anyone's got excess fish in the Boston area, PM me!
 
#11 ·
would you be interested in fish that arent cichlids? :?
 
#15 ·
Wow, that's lucky. Although I'd have to say, I would worry about my smaller fish disappearing as my JD got older, but I suppose you're already planning for that.

Alright :oops: my 55 turned into a 75 which turned into an 85 which I'm picking up on Sunday at 2pm. Why yes, I do have a fish problem. *bounces*

So I'd have to say that space isn't really a problem at this point. I've heard that frontosa can be very gentle, but how expensive are they? Are they delicate fish?
 
#16 ·
the site i posted earlier has some info on them.
 
#17 ·
okiemavis said:
Wow, that's lucky. Although I'd have to say, I would worry about my smaller fish disappearing as my JD got older, but I suppose you're already planning for that.
oh yea, iam waitin for my danios to become dinner when my j.d. is older. iam hoping he doesnt eat my cory cat. ( i have only one but am gettin more when i get my 30gallon, i know their supposed to be in groups but i had only enough for 1 at the time.)
 
#22 ·
Are you reading my mind??!!! I have a 55g tank with right now it only has 6 cories. I'm planning on getting a pair of blue rams and then apistos, dwarf cichlids, to put in the tank. I'm still collecting the rocks and plants!!! Good luck!!
 
#23 ·
i only have 1 cory as well but plan to get more when there is room. :wink:
 
#25 ·
i have a bronze cory. :wink: i named him "Louie"
 
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