Central American Cichlids • 56G Mostly Central setup

[DFishFox]

[DFishFox]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIWCTbKDUiY&feature=player_detailpage

[DFishFox]

[DFishFox]

[mlancaster]

Hi DFishFox,

I like the way your tank is set up; very cool.

What type of fish is in the above picture?

Personally I would be concerned for your beta and rams with agressive cichlids such as Cons and Firemouths in there. Keep us posted on how the agression pans out.

Again, cool tank, thank you for sharing.

Thanks,
Matt

[DFishFox]

Hi DFishFox,

I like the way your tank is set up; very cool.

What type of fish is in the above picture?

Personally I would be concerned for your beta and rams with agressive cichlids such as Cons and Firemouths in there. Keep us posted on how the agression pans out.

That is a Geophagus Brazilius or how ever you spell it LOL. Funny you should mention the Ram(only 1), which is a bolivian ram. Other than grand-daddy firemouth he seems to be the most aggressive staking his territory on top of the stump in the picture you asked about. He picks squarrels with my Thorichthys Pasionis and the other eartheater (Yerbolito). Nipping at them to shew them off his territory. But when they turn around after they realize they running from a fish half their size they chase back a few inches and its over. The betta is currently the most colorful but most ignored. Grand-daddy chases the columbian tetras rarely but never the betta. Oh yeah thats not a convict, Its a Honduran Red Point. Which actually shows little aggression compared to the convicts I've kept way back.

When I introduced these younger fish together there was a bit of quarreling. So when I threw Grand-daddy(The Enforcer) in there, they learned to get along quick for the most part. They are cichlids and chase from time to time.

Aggression goes like this..
Firemouth (Head honcho) chases all other cichlids
Braziliensis or whatever lol, chases no one
Yerbolito chases Braziliensis and Pasionis and sometimes Ram
Pasionis chases Braz and takes turns with Ram chasing each other
Ram gets macho with Pasionis and Yerbolito
Festivum chases mostly Yerbolito and sometimes Braz, but doesn't seem to care about others
Honduran Red Point is only afraid of Firemouth, but really doesn't "chase" others, just wards them out of her hole in the stump.

I picked fish with relatively mild attitudes for this setup. The numbers of dithers (columbian tetras & harlequin rasboras) and cichlids helps tremendously with managing aggression. The chaser eventually loses track of the target.

[mlancaster]

Hi DFishFox,

Good to hear, very interesting dynamic. You have a cool tank.

Thanks,
Matt

[toxxxickitten]

I would never think of putting a Betta with Cichlids...interesting.

[DFishFox]

Hi DFishFox,

Good to hear, very interesting dynamic. You have a cool tank.

Thank you

I would never think of putting a Betta with Cichlids...interesting.

Yeah Betta knows to stay out of way so it seems others don't perceive him as a threat or challenge. With exception to Kribensis who has since been relocated to my other tank. Kribensis actually flared broadside to Betta, uh oh confrontation. Betta learned quick, but Krib wouldn't forget and forgive. Everytime she saw Betta she'd chase. Didnt seem too bad but I noticed two small knips out a fin on Betta and thought.. This Dragonscale Betta cost twice as much as the Krib.. "You outta there!" LOL Kribensis are from africa and have a hit and miss reputation on their attitude, chalk mine up to a meany.

[DFishFox]

UPDATE


Change in the lineup.
Added 3 Thorichthys Aureum and 1 Laetacara Curviceps.
Removed 1 Firemouth (the temporary peacemaker)

Group seemed a little more at ease at first, then the inevitable reclaiming of territory..

So far Festivum is most respected with minor challenges coming from HRP..
Bolivian Ram is proving to be quite the scrapper.. Might setup a small Ram tank and boot the booger before he has too much fun with my juvi Aureums
Got my eye on him..

Oh yeah.. Betta is Still the most ignored

[DFishFox]

My Crevisum. No not the type of fish. Just one of the names my wife spewed out trying to remember the species, so it stuck. LOL I think its a cute name.

Sucks its so dark (even though they probably like it) Got this large piece of driftwood floating up top I got for a steal @ 5 measly bucks

[DFishFox]

WACK-a-MOLE anyone?

[DFishFox]

New Thorichthys Aureums...






Cant wait to get outta work and check up on em!

[mlancaster]

Hi DFishFox,

Awesome additions. Keep us posted on how it all works out; agression and hiarchy wise.

Thanks,
Matt

[DFishFox]

Hi DFishFox,

Awesome additions. Keep us posted on how it all works out; agression and hiarchy wise.

Thanks,
Matt

Will do.

Here is a video showing the notorious 5 dollar wood and crew, oh yeah this is before removing FM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAcqaIpg8co&feature=player_detailpage