[mok3t]

My tank is 42x15x18

I've been trying NOT to keep cichlids in it as i dont spend much time in the room the tank is in, so i wouldn't really get to enjoy them as much. But I've grown bored of community tanks and empty looking predator tanks and find myself longing for a pair of cichlids since i gave away my sajicas. I've kept pairs of sajica, convicts, rainbows, keyholes, rams, angels, jewels and kribensis. Not looking to keep any of those again.

I wanna keep something a bit bigger with more attitude, but will still look after its young. Not looking to raise any of them, just wanting to have the parental behavior. Am liking the look of green terrors, texas and severums. Not sure if those are a bit TOO big for the tank though.

Suggestions please?

Also posting this in the CA forum as i want suggestions from both

 

[badlad53]

Possibly severums? But I wouldn't do it... how about blue acaras?

 

[hollyfish2000]

Ah, come on. Give them rainbows another go. They are the best parents!!

 

[GTWilly]

I think you should go terrors. A mated pair would fit nicely in that tank. Tankmates might make it a little crowded, depending on what you put in there. I have a mated pair in a 55g with 2 loaches, 1 pleco, 1 red tailed shark. During their spawning cycles, they get nipped if they get too close to the eggs/fry but are left alone the rest of the time. Sometimes they even sleep in the same area. The tank doesn't look so empty. They have plenty of attitude and are amazing parents. Not to mention their decorating skills. Adding small plants (preferably plastic, they stay in one piece a little longer) will let you see the extent of their decorating skills. And i would suggest small gravel as a floor. They spend a lot of time building little nests and walls. Their mating rituals are very interesting to watch. They dance with each other inbetween mock charges and occaissional wrestling matches. And eventually they spawn. My terrors are getting to the point where they don't seem to be afraid of anything. Which is a little nerveracking during the tank cleaning process. *** been nipped a few times when i let my gaurd down. I suggest start pretty young and dont have too much cover. They tend to get use to hiding. Especially if they are not use to people walking around the tank. Plus it gives you time to have your tank mates grow up with them. Like i said, i have loaches and a shark, and they do fine. I think you will be ok as long as you dont have anything cichlid shaped in there.