Hmmmm, this is interesting....
Jai'galaar said:
I'm fine with SA as long as it's some tougher and/or meaner species.
Gamble much?
'Cause with that 'tougher - meaner' sensibility, comes a greater risk in successfully keeping a compatible pair of those kinds of Cichlids. And unfortunately, a lack of 'success' in this case with pugnacious New World Cichlids - almost always means the death of the female.
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So, I'll give you some species recommendations you can try and stock as a pair in that odd-shaped (84 gallon?) aquarium of yours, along with an additional estimate of what I believe your chance of long-term success with the pairing arrangement will be. 95 percent is as high as I'm prepared to go (there is ALWAYS some risk in keeping a pair of New World Cichlids together in the same aquarium).
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- Central American -
NOTE: With some notable exceptions... CA Cichlids are generally just meaner to each other and stronger than their SA counterparts. More challenging!
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Amatitlania (all): 95%. I'm partial to A. sajica (T-Bar), as the males of this species MAY get just a bit larger growing than others in the genus.
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Thoricthys (all): 95%. T. ellioti takes it for me currently - the breeding coloration is pretty outrageous!
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Herotilapia multispinosa, Rainbow Cichlid: 95%+. Such peaceful, charming little Cichlids.... too mild?
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Rocio octofasciatus, Jack Dempsey: 80%. A just-passing grade in risk? (Eight-O & go!). I'm confident a compatible pair of JDs will be able to work this thing out long-term with each other....
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Mayaheros uropthalmus, Mayan Cichlid or False Red Terror: 75%. In the aquarium, males can supposedly get well over a foot long in his species. I've only personally seen an adult male that may have approached 10 inches in length.
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Hericthys carpintis, Pearl Scale or 'Blue Texas' Cichlid: 70%. Getting a bit risky here, and don't even think about trying a pair of larger-growing, MUCH meaner H. guttatus, the 'true' Texas Cichlid in that tank!
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Nandopsis tetracanthus, Cuban Cichlid: 60%. Smaller than their larger-growing cousins N. haitiensis, this species can be a bit more pugnacious in the aquarium to each other than even the 'Black Nasty'. Males are very unpredictable, with mostly safe, reliable male behavior reported in compatible pairs. Unfortunately, truly psychopathic thug males in this species are sometimes reported. Whew.... these things are beautiful! Feeling lucky?
- Oh, and I'm NOT putting the Hypsophrys nicaraguensis or Trichromis salvini on this list, because you already have them!
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- South American -
NOTE: My apologies to all of those S/A Cichlid species I may have missed in this list!
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Mesonauta festivus, Flag Cichlid: 95%+. A classic! This smaller-growing species is probably too calm and peaceful for you...
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Heros, (all): 95%, My personal favorite is the (rather stunning) Heros cf. efasciatus 'Rotkeil'.
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Andinoacara pulcher, Blue Acara: 90%. Recommend getting the non-hybridized 'standard' model. Males of the EBA have proven to be a bit less predictable in aggression.
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Andinoacara latifrons, 'Tourquoise Acara: 90%. Same as the Blue Acara - just rarer/harder to find.
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Aequidens diadema, Diadem Cichlid: 85%. Males of this pretty calm species can approach 8 - 9 inches in adult length. And, since they pulled Green Terrors out of this genus, Diadems might be the most aggressive species in the Aequidens genus.
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Crenicichla, menesezi, geayi or britskii (Mid-sized pikes): 80%. Managing conspecific aggression is actually the biggest problem in Pike species. Those recommendations are the so-called 'calm' pikes. Do not attempt the larger, pike species in your smaller tank!
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Whew.... that's a pretty good list! I'm sure you'll be able to find something you like (at the risk level you're comfortable with) on those CA and SA lists for that aquarium. And, if I've missed anything promising - hopefully someone can contribute additional species.
Plus - if anyone believes I'm Waaaaayyy off-base in any of those recommendations? C'mon, bring your input in to the thread and discuss!