The Puffer Forum

Hello Everyone

I am thinking of stocking a 120g with some South American Cichlids. I would like to put firemouths for sure. Am wondering what other types of S.A. cichlids would be suitable tankmates. Would like fish that are colorful, and full of character, but not much larger than 6". I think Abalios, and Bandit cichlids are great looking, but don't know if they are suitable tank mates? Also how many pairs would be a good number as far as stocking goes. I would also like to keep a few "dither" fish like Rummynose tetras, or perhaps something a bit larger like some splash tetras with them. The tank has been running for about 4 months. Moderate to heavily planted. Copious amounts of driftwood.
Has an Eheim 2075(up to 160g), Aquaclear110, an Ac70, and a few Mangroves for filtration. Koralia 3 for water movement. 50% weekly w/c.
Current stocking is 2xAmazon Puffs, and a bunch O guppies-that will be rehoused before introducing anything else.
Having never kept any larger S.A. Cichlids, only dwarfs- am looking for any input U all may have!

A pair of Firemouths (or any other SAC) will probably intimidate all the rest of the fish during breeding time. I think they are best kept with a single specimen of each species & each of them need plenty of space. I love my Frontosa!

pics of tank

Pufferpunk wrote:A pair of Firemouths (or any other SAC) will probably intimidate all the rest of the fish during breeding time. I think they are best kept with a single specimen of each species & each of them need plenty of space. I love my Frontosa!

So U don't suggest any other type of S.A. cichlid could be with fire mouths? I've seen other tanks where they have kept, and bred fire mouths with other species of cichlid. I will try and get the names later. With over 225 species of S.A. Cichlids there has to be something that would work no?
Arn't Fronts African Cichlids PP? The cichlids I would like to keep would definitely be from the Amazon basin, even if they are from different rivers and such

I will try and post a couple pics this eve

ok was able to post a couple pictures. There from a phone camera so not great quality.
Any ideas for S.A. Cichlids?

Duh... I always get them mixed up. I usually assume the thicker-bodied ones are SA but I think you're right about fonts. I also have a Compressiceps with him. I know that guy's from Lake Malawi. I tried a pair of Firemouths in there & they were fine for a while but then they started the lock-mouth thing & got really aggressive & terrorized everyone else in the tank. It'a a 125g.

Oops the pics are posted in the album section

yah Comp's are very cool fish for sure!
I definitely want to keep the tank on the S.A. side of things.
Like Dovii, and Mayans alot, but they all get too big for this tank

How big is your tank? I've kept JDs, EBJD, Texas, Jewels Uaru, Oscars, parrots, green terrors, angelfish, blue acara, pikes, red devil, green & yelllow severums, festivus, salvini, convicts, & this absolutely gorgeous one that had a pink face, pink tail & a big black bar in the middle, called a black bar cichlid. He got HUGE!!! I'm sure there's a bunch I've forgotten too.

The black bar cichlid, is that anything similar to a black belt cichlid? There are some of those available here in town. I may not go with fire mouths if I can't keep them with other S.A. cichlid. Here a link to a locals tank where he keeps multiple species of S.A. cichlid. I think something like this would be great. Unfortunately I don't see any fire mouths in with them ;(
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Znu7zOnaHbc

Oh, and its a 120g, with flooded corner overflow

Probably the same fish, I could have the name wrong.

That tank is extremely overcrowded!

Yes overcrowded, but it seems to work. I just got off the phone with the person whos tank it is. He uses massive amounts of filtration, and plenty of water changes. This gentleman has so many amazing tanks setup. He suggested Heros efasciatus (sp?), and Abalios would work nicely with firemouths.
Anyone else have experience in keeping S.A. cichlid together?

I certainly wouldn't want to live in there.