Central American Cichlids • Im New and Have Questions.

[CraigBates]

Hello all, Im new here and I have some questions. I just recently got a 55 gallon tank and its currently houseing 1 pleco ( not sure what kind but approx 3 inches) 1 Banded leporinus fasciatus ( appox 6 inches) 2 Corys ( not sure of type) and 4 other small fish im not sure of what they are. I bought the tank and the fish came with it. So I Plan on gettin rid of all the fish and only keeping the pleco, and I wanna get Cichlid's.

I wanna try to get 6 fish with either 2 or 3 breeds, but im here because I need advice but heres what im aiming at

2 to 4 convicts ( not sure if that is good or bad witch is why I am here, I've read alot over the passed couple of weeks and I have seen mixed things, I saw that convicts pair real easy and when they pair they start to breed and get even more aggressive and will kill other convicts and other fish. I also read that wont happen if there is enough room..and im not sure if I have that with a 55 gallon.)

1 or 2 Jack Dempseys or 1 JD and 1 fire mouth.

Any suggstions please? feel free to change numbers and breed types Im in need of all input thanks

[CraigBates]

Did I do something wrong to not receive any replys?? I'm just looking for Idea's this forum seemed active so I gave it a shot.

[ladybugzcrunch]

A 55g is really not all that big for aggressive fish. Convicts are extremely aggressive when they breed so if you want a convict in a community setup, go with only one. You should decide whether you want to breed fish or if you want a variety. If you want variety, you might go with one female jack dempsey, 1 female convict, and one female firemouth(you want all females so they do not try to breed plus females stay a tad smaller and female convicts have more color than males). Then you could keep your pleco and add a school of larger tetras like buenos aries. That would be a nice tank. If you want to breed convicts, the cookie cutter from this site says you can do one pair of convicts and one pair of salvini. If you want a pair of jack dempseys, I think they will end up being the only fish as they can get really nasty when they breed and kill everything else in there. Keep us posted!

[CraigBates]

I Really dont want to breed. I just want a colorfull tank. That sounds like a pretty good suggestion. Thanks!

[conoholic]

1 female con
1 female nic
1 female firemouth
1 female hrp

skip the jack.

OR

one male green terror
2 male convicts ( dithers )
3 pictus catfish ( smaller specie type )
1 bristlenose pleco

id go with the 2nd choice as i have a gt and hes BEAUTIFUl

[CraigBates]

Hmmm that #2 mix looks ineresting.

[TheFishGuy]

Welcome the C-F, hope you enjoy your stay!

Give things some time... People will post eventually

[wpk22]

one male green terror
2 male convicts ( dithers )
3 pictus catfish ( smaller specie type )
1 bristlenose pleco

id go with the 2nd choice as i have a gt and hes BEAUTIFUl

I thought gts eventually grow out of a 55 gallon?

[oldcatfish]

I second the 3 female suggestion by ladybugzcrunch...but would substitute a female Salvini for the Jack Dempsey....Sals are a lot more colorful, and a bit smaller.