SA Cichlid suggestions for my 80gal....

[AquaScaper]

Since I've set my 80gal back up again after the flood and my fish #'s are down as I lost a couple and re-homed a couple that didn't fit into the SA tank, it is now looking a little empty...well except for the pesky convicts that seem to have taken over a corner for their spawning purposes and will be getting moved shortly so they can squabble amongst themselves rather than the whole gang lol.
I'm hoping to add a couple of mid-size fish, nothing that will get overly large as I can't upgrade to a bigger tank any time soon but, something that will be able to handle the likes of the current occupants without too much of a problem. I'm not even necessarily just looking for Cichlids, although I don't want to create a crazy mix either so anyone have any suggestions?
I know it is hard to match Jack's and GT's with others sometimes but these guys have gotten along with some unlikely fish in the past so I think I can be pretty flexible as long as the fish I add will get along with them also....

Fish that will be staying in the tank are:
1 4" Jack Dempsey (fairly mellow, keeps to herself)
1 4" Green Terror (Big baby gets beat up by the smaller fish gets along great with the Jack)
1 7" Giant CAE
1 4" pleco

Fish due to be moved:
3 2" Convicts
2 2" Skunk Loaches

I like to keep my ph fairly high at roughly 7.8, temp is kept at a pretty much steady 26 and I run 2 Aquaclear filters a (500+300) for extra filtration.



Any ideas?

[Melody]

I know nothing of your tank occupants, but one thing that Blaine and I were just discussing is that semi-aggressive Livebearers like Ameca Splendens are perfect for Cichlid tanks as long as the fish don't get large enough to eat them. They can certainly hold their own with fish several times their size. They're seriously threatened in the wild and often misunderstood in captivity, so you'd have the higher calling there. They're absolutely stunning with those reflective scales of theirs. Sparkling activity darting around the tank would set off cichlid size & colors beautifully.

Nice to hear statements about not being able to upgrade as the fish grow too. I think we often pretend that we can deal with things as they happen but its not always the case. I do it all the time in fact....lol....I want every Livebearer going but I simply cannot keep them all separate and their fry separate and the growing colony housed properly. Then Melody starts giving fishies away.:Blush:

[BC_Kron]

How about:

Heros Severus, Geophagus Steindachneri or Geophagus Surinemensis?

[AquaScaper]

How about:

Heros Severus, Geophagus Steindachneri or Geophagus Surinemensis?


Hmmm....I was checking out the Geophagus Surinemensis and I think some of those would make nice additions :). Not really into Severums and the other earth eater you mentioned didn't really appeal to me either, but this fish is actually quite striking, I think I may look into acquiring some.

I'm not sure how well live bearers would do in the tank as I am sure the babies would be toast the moment they left mom...I like the splendens though, might get a couple for another tank.

Thanks!

[Melody]

They're Goodeids - their babies are born the size of a 4+month old Molly....lol.

[BC_Kron]

Hmmm....I was checking out the Geophagus Surinemensis and I think some of those would make nice additions :). Not really into Severums and the other earth eater you mentioned didn't really appeal to me either, but this fish is actually quite striking, I think I may look into acquiring some.....

I have some young F1 Males available. They are about 4 inches and very nice looking. Let me know if your interested in seeing them.


cheers; Bill

[AquaScaper]

I have some young F1 Males available. They are about 4 inches and very nice looking. Let me know if your interested in seeing them.


cheers; Bill

I might just do that in a couple of weeks when I'm ready to go fishy shopping :D

Thanks!