[axs377]

I've been away from SA/CA cichlids for over a year now and currently have a group of 8 wild caught moba fronts. My hope was to breed them and make some $$$, but despite the fish being beautiful, they just lack that badass personality of CA cichlids. I'm debating on making the switch back and selling the fronts, but I'm not sold just yet. I have a 220, 6' tank which currently houses the fronts. I wanted a dovii or umbee, but I also don't want a single fish in the tank; at the same time I want some BIG fish. I am not interested in breeding, so no pairs. Fronts just grow too slow and my alpha is only 10" at 2-3yrs+, where I've had oscars get that size in under a year. So what should I do? Keep the fronts? or what would be a good mean group to try? I was thinking 5 big guys, maybe a midas, jag, texas, green terror, and ???? I just saw umbees at a local fish store for $5 (small) and this is what sparked my interest. Give me some ideas guys!

 

[MetalHead06351]

get rid of the africans! they don't have a quarter the personality ca\sa's do. That sounds like a good mix, and as a fifth I personally would add some sort of guapote. Maybe a freddy, loseilli, black nasty, or a grammodes. Anything you decide on, follow it up with pics!

 

[axs377]

Well I posted the fronts for sale online and have already gotten a few offers within the last hour. Once I find the right buyer I think I am going with the following:

Trimac
vieja regani
cichlasoma grammodes
midas
Green terror or texas cichlid

I will buy 3-4 of each fish and keep the best looking one of each type. The others I will take to my local pet store who takes any fish for free. I have been able to find all these fish online at good prices, so... Also do you think I could add some dither fish and a pleco?

 

[swamptrout]

I would suggest the texas over the Green Terror, i think it has just that bit more agression and is a bit more robust in body shape which it would need with the trimac.

not sure if you have considered a cuban but i think they look great.

just my opinion

 

[axs377]

I think I may go with the texas cichlid, I haven't considered a cuban though. I'm not sure which fish I would change if I did consider it. Beautiful fish though.

 

[AU Chief]

I'd also go with the Texas to keep it all CA. You might as well since all the others are. Not that a nice Big GT isn't cool, but I like Green Texas better.

I really wish I had a tank that size. It must be nice!

 

[MetalHead06351]

you could add dithers and a pleco. I would do giant danios, personally. Thats what I suggest to everyone- they work great. A bristle nose pleco would also be a nice addition.

 

[axs377]

I keep thinking about the umbees at the pet store. I'm guessing still too big and aggressive to add to the mix? I have a UV sterilzer and magnetic scrubber, so I doubt I will add a poo machine.. I mean pleco :lol: I like the idea of dithers though. The more I think about this the tougher it gets to decide. So here is the list for now:

1. Trimac
2. Midas
3. Texas
4. vieja regani
5. cichlasoma grammodes
6. some dithers danios or silver dollars

What would you guys suggest? I'm open to any ideas. I just want some HUGE cichlids.

 

[axs377]

Well I found a buyer for my fronts. Anyways I've been "obsessing" as my wife would say over the stocking list and was curious what you guys thought about the addition of an oscar? or perhaps instead of one of the fish. Does it stand a chance? My wife actually really likes them and for once I thought I'd get a fish she liked to add to the tank. She usually likes boring fish like (no offense) bettas, or some other pinky sized cichlid treat. She also wants to add some clawed frogs, which hopefully disappear at night rather than being eaten while she's checking the tank out. Anyways has anyone kept an oscar with any of these bruisers or what do you think his odds are?