Question:hi im getting a 55 gallon fresh water aquarium (cichlid tank) and i was wonering what kind of cichlids i could put in it im thinking a oscar fire mouth and electric yellow
Answers:
whatever you decide ,get them in the tank at the same time because cichlids are very aggressive and territorial and not all types get along even tho their in the same family.
1. the oscar should really be in a 75 (and that's by himself)
2. don't mix african cichlids and south/central americans they need different water and don't cohabitate
3. if you wanted to do a pair of firemouths that would be fine if you don't mind sending the fry to a pet store cause they will breed
you could do a severum or a jack dempsey (by themselves) or a couple of angelfish or discus
I would put a oscar alone by himself if that was the route you want to go. They are messy eaters and require quite a bit of water for their boi-load they produce.
oscar needs about 75 gallons, so i would skip the oscar.
Yellow labs are african cichlids and need special needs, so a firemouth wont like being with africans.
You can go with an african cichlid tank in a 55 gallon, some yellow labs and mbumas species. maybe a peacock african cichlid.
an oscar by it self needs 55gal of water .
As pointed out, the Oscar really would need a tank that size alone.
I also wouldn't suggest mixing new world and Old World cichlids. that never works well, so the combination of the Yellow Lab. and the firemouth wouldn't be good.
If you want New world cichlids, go for a small group of firemouths or severums, something in that size range.
For Old world cichlids that labs would be great, just add plenty of caves and hiding places and keep about 6 of them.
MM
Well, ihave a 55g. and i also have an oscar they grow so quck that when people say "Time Flys." It really does so i wouldnt consider getting a n oscar.As for a fire mouth that seems like a good idea but,he must be mixed with cichlids that are as agressive as they are.Like Green terrors,texas cichlids,and maybe a jaguar cichlid.They say mixing African cichlids with American is bad but, i beg to differ,there are some that can mix together. LOok up Buffalohead cichlid its a pretty cool fish i think unfortunitly i have never owned one but have seen them in a friends tank..
Visit Liveaquaria.com
and look under african cichlids misc..cichlids.
Good Luck
C.L.
Mbuna Ciclids are pretty. I would get 7 or 8 of the same color. They tend to gang up on fish that don't look the same. The yellow ones are the most docile. Don't get any white/pink ones they are bad. An Oscar will outgrow your tank.
You could get 6 Electric Yellows or a pair of Firemouths. Forget about the Oscar because as has been mentioned, it will need a 75 gal or larger tank. There are many other African Cichlids that can be fun to keep also. Many will be fine in a 55 gal tank. Check out Aurora Cichlids.
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