What cichlid for a 106 gallon

[Fevz]

Right now i have a 106 gallon tank with south american cichlids. Most of them are geophaguses and a pair of uarus.
The stock list is great and the fishes are doing well. But i'm kind of heating up for CA cichlids. Since most of them get big and my aquarium dimensions are a bit weird (L:79", H:20", D:16")

So what kind of cichlid can i keep in? I am thinking of only one or pair really agressive cichlids.

[Michael723]

You could get away with something along the lines of an Aequidens Pulcher (Blue Acara) cichlid, though the fish that you desire is that of a central american origin so you're going to have a more difficult time finding one that is docile enough to not eventually pick on the geo's.. You could try something like a Vieja maculicauda (black belt) though when it reaches its maximum size (12") I would question it around the geos... Your best bet would probably revolve around something like a single or a pair of torichthys meeki (firemouths). Nigrofasciatus (convicts) can also be an option but then again they tend to get aggressive so you'd have to be aware of that.. Another option would be something like Vieja Synspilum (Quetzal cichlid), though keep in mind their max size of 17".. The 106 will eventually be a little cramped..Hypsophrys nicaraguensis (Macaw cichlid) is also a very nice fish with a pretty peaceful disposition and a beautiful blue/gold coloration.. The problem is that many Central Americans (including the one's I have named) that match up in terms of temperment have hard water requirements, in comparison to the softer water that Uaru's are more accustomed to. Just keep that in mind when looking for possible tankmates.. I'm sure some of the other guys/girls on here will be able to give you more suggestions.. Good luck! =)

[Michael723]

Perhaps I misunderstood your post.. Are you looking for a CA that can be kept with the SA's or are you just trying to get an idea of a CA that can be kept in that particular size tank w/o the SA's?

[Fevz]

Thanks for information. I'm just looking for a CA cichlid without SA cichlids in tank.
My water parameters aren't quite good for SA cichlids and i'm affraid that they will eventualy get sick because of that

[Michael723]

Oh now I understand.. Well I would base your decision on the fish that best fits your water parameters.. For that size tank you could keep something like a pair of Citrinellus/Labiatus, a pair of Red Tiger Motaguensis, a pair of Friedrichsthalli, you could also keep a pair of Loiselle, a pair of Tetracanthus, a single Haitiensis, a pair of Cichlasoma Beani, a pair of Trimaculatum..Possibly a pair of Managuensis.. This is just a short list.. There are many more options available, but these are the aggressive option.. But i would try to stick with those that don't get over 12-15" tops..

[Fevz]

Wow! So many options.
I really like Red Tiger Motaguensis and Managuensis.
Are these cichlids sturdy about water? Like their toleration of nitrate and nitrite levels?
I mainly use tap water for changing. I'm doing 50% weekly changes.
My aquarium tests indicate these levels of chems

NO2: 0.01 <---barely visible
NO3: 20-30
Ph: 7.0-8.0
kH: 11
gH: 16

EDIT: I just found out that i can get Motaguensis from Germany. But the big problem goes to my aquarium depth. Wich is only 16"
So i don't know if my aquarium is suitable enough for jags

[clgkag]

I think it would be pretty tight for a full grown male jag. The cubans (nandopsis tetracanthus) are pretty similar looking to jags and tend to stay smaller. I think max out around 10-12".

[Michael723]

Yea if you can get a Moto from Germany and that's what you'd like it'd do just fine. You really want the fish to be able to turn around very comfortably in terms of depth.. A full grown Moto will max out at 12" tops.. I'd say with that depth you would really be squeezing a Managuensis (Jaguar) in there, so that wouldn't be your best option.. If you're going with Moto's I'd go with a pair to keep your interest in them . . I love my solitary Dovii, but I must admit that I DO miss the social aspect of a community tank, and I wish I had a mate for him.. Your best bet is to purchase maybe 4 or 5 Moto's (they're relatively cheap when 2-3" ) and grow them out.. When you notice two that pair up you want to get rid of the remaining fish (The females are more vibrant than the males, and she will have the most red on her gill plates etc..). So if you do go that route just be prepared with either another tank, or a LFS that you know you can surely bring them to.. You will really enjoy them, they are great fish.. I actually had a breeding pair of Red Tiger's and they are an awesome specimen! To bad you live so far away because I have a couple of grow outs left over that are around 4-5" now! lol .. Either way, best of luck and God bless! =)

[Fevz]

I will probably wait for a half a year or so. Got to get me a degree first and then i'll buy a bigger tank for my room. I't will probably be around 200 gallon monster :)
And just for a pair of jags :P

[Michael723]

LoL.. yea 200 gallons would be plenty for them . .You could even look into a Dovii for that size tank..

[Fevz]

Got to re-open debate :D
What do you folks think about a pair of Cichlasoma Salvini? They would do great by themselves in my tank

[bobrfish]

Tank is large enough for a breeding pair of salvini. May need to add some target fish to form a pair bond prior to breeding. If the salvini do not bond to breed, then the smaller of two may have to hide and will need plenty of cover.

[fishmaven]

If you really want to switch fish you've been given quite a list of candidates.

I have a problem with your initial reasoning though. If fine now, your current fish should continue to do well in your tank regardless of the hardness of your water. A potential problem could occur when they decide to breed. If the water is too hard at that point there's a chance, although low in my opinion, that it may be too hard for the eggs to be fertilized or, if fertilized, to hatch. You could fix that by mixing RO water into your tank during that period. Fry from the spawn would do well in the hardened water (they'd probably grow faster too). Simply do water changes to raise the hardness back to previous levels.
Dan

[Dean Hougen]

I agree with Dan. If you want to switch because something else interests you more, then switching is probably best for you and your fish. But the water params you have will be fine for the fish you already have, so if you like them, keep them!


Dean