South American Cichlids, and their coloring

Kenidi · 03-12-2010, 05:31 AM

I am new to fish, and even newer to the site, so forgive any beginner lingo/questions.

I have a 10 gal tank right now with 5 fish in it, 2 of which are south american cichlids (so the tag at petsmart said.) I only bought them about a month ago, but so far, they all seem to be doing well. I just recently got a 70 gal tank to rehome them in so they can grow nice and big and have some room. I want to also put some more cichlids in there, but I am not sure what kind I want. I don't know the difference between frontosa and what I have, and don't know if they are compatible or not, and I don't know what I can put with my cichlids. The only thing I do know is that I love color! My oscar from walmart has some really pretty color (or at least I think so) but the other one is kinda.... bland. The both seem to change color every three seconds, but it's so rapid that it seems like it's more from mood than anything. I have seen a ton of pictures of gorgeous cichlids, but they when I actually go to the store to see fish of the same kind, they are pretty much colorless. From the little research I have done, I think that cichlids get color as they age and grow, but I am wondering when this actually happens. At 5 inches? 4 yrs? I'm just not sure what to be looking for.

If you can help me out, it would be much appreciated. Also, If you have any suggestions of some pretty fish that get nice color, let me know!

Jay · 03-12-2010, 08:30 AM

Hey Kenidi...a belated Welcome to the forum

I have never kept cichlids, primarily because of their special water parameter requirements, but know there is a wealth of knowledge here in our archives. I would use the search feature to begin exploring and reading.

I do know that a 70 gallon tank is not going to be big enough for two Oscars and I would not mix Oscars with juvenile fish.

As for color...there are many factors involved...health, diet, water parameters, stress etc. Most fish in a big box pet store suffer from stress factors which lead to color loss. The color will return when the stress is alleviated.

Jay

Kenidi · 03-12-2010, 04:54 PM

Thanks for the reply. I know the 70 gal wont be big enough for their tank when they are bigger, but right now the biggest fish I have is the oscar, and he is only about 2" long. The 70g is just a stepping stone along the way

The other cichlid I have, I was told was a turquoise cichlid. That one is about 1.5" long.

I know they are young still, but I am basically just wondering when they will start getting their adult colors, or if they already have them. They both lose their marking in a matter of seconds, and then a few seconds later they will be back just as bright as ever, so I can't see it being a water issue. Someone told me it was a mood thing, but I don't know how true that is.

ZeroSystem · 03-12-2010, 06:11 PM

Welcome to FTF Kenidi!

I have kept cichlids of all sorts for many years. I am currently keeping a 75g with South American Cichlids.

From what you have described it sounds like the two cichlids you have are a Tiger Oscar and a Severum cichlid (not sure on the latter, pics would help!). These two fish are generally compatible with each other, and a 75g will likely work ok for them both. That being said cichlids can be a bit unpredictable as far as personality goes. The Oscar is likely going to grow much faster than your other cichlid. They grow about an inch per month! This means that he will likely be the dominate fish in the tank. The fact that your fish are changing colors as often and dramatically as they are indicates that they are probably still trying to figure out the pecking order. Their colors will likely become more prominate once they've reached 4 or 5 inches and they will have worked out who's in charge by then ( most likely it will be the oscar, although once the severum catches up in size that may change).

Kenidi · 03-12-2010, 06:25 PM

Here are some pics. The first I was told was a tiger oscar, and the second, a turquoise cichlid. Wondering what colors I can expect with these two, and what other tank mates I should be looking for!

This is Cheeba

And this is Bumble (and my dragon fish, Slinky in the background)

ZeroSystem · 03-12-2010, 06:41 PM

Right on, nice pics!

Bumble is certainly a Severum cichlid, also known as the Banded cichlid for obvious reasons! You should be able to google Green Severum to get an idea of what yours may look like as an adult.

The Dragon Goby is technically a Brackish water fish (a mix of freshwater and saltwater) and will not be compatible with the cichlids long term.

Kenidi · 03-12-2010, 07:30 PM

Darn! Petsmart said they would be fine together

OK so from now on avoid brackish fish. check. Why is this? I'm guessing they need salt, but I haven't ever salt in the water and he seems to be fine. I will have to look up how to take care of them, and then find some other brackish and keep them together, instead of with the cichlids.

I googled bumble and he's definitely gonna be pretty! Thanks for all the help! do you think i'd be able to keep a flowerhorn with these guys?

Also, I have a peacock eel, and a bristlenose pleco. Petsmart again said they would be ok with the cichlids, but now I'm not so sure! Any advise on those two?

ZeroSystem · 03-12-2010, 08:01 PM

If I remember correctly Dragon Goby's start off in freshwater while they are young and then move on to more salty water as they get older. I know cichlids can often tolerate some range of salt, but I don't think it would be a good idea in the long run. Too much stress on the cichlids, and to be honest I don't know if the goby can compete with their aggressive behavior once they get some size on them.

Flower horns are very unpredictable as far as their personality goes. They are a hybrid fish, which means it has characteristics of more than one species. They are usually very aggressive. It may be possible to keep one with the Oscar and Severum you have now, however you would need a larger tank. Something over 100 gallons at least. Floor space is very important with cichlids, so a longer tank is better than a taller one.

The bristlenose pleco should be fine. They're great algae eaters and are capable of defending themselves just fine if needed. Make sure you provide him with some driftwood to munch on. They also need to be fed algae wafers or zucchini/cucumber slices every so often to make sure they're getting enough to eat. They can usually polish off most of the edible algae within a few days.

I think Peacock eels may also be brackish, but to be honest I could be wrong. I'm pretty sure most of the 'freshwater' eels commonly sold at pet stores are actually brackish water. They may be able to tolerate pure freshwater for awhile, but often need to move into saltier water as they mature. Again, not sure on how well a peacock eel will be able to avoid aggression once the cichlids get larger. I know they like to dig in the substrate and bury themselves. Sand or very fine gravel is usually recommended.

Kenidi · 03-12-2010, 08:35 PM

Basically I have been going off of the liveaquaria.com compatibility chart and what petsmart says, but I guess maybe that isn't a good idea lol. This new 70gal is just a stepping stone really, and I do plan on getting a 100+ gal tank in the future, but I figured if I acquired more tanks along the way, then I will have more tanks to put things in as the cichlids outgrow each one. It's my devious way to get my husband to let me have every way in our house covered with tanks... lol.

I will definitely keep an eye on the peacock to make sure he isn't getting picked on. Thanks for all the help! I will stick with only putting SA cichlids in my tank from now on. I just wish I could find something else that would go nicely with them! I have heard bala sharks would be fine, along with a teacup stingray, but now I am starting to question everything I have been told

All those fish are in my 10gal and I am trying to figure out how to set up my cycled 70 so I do it right this time, but it seems I did it all wrong to begin with!

ZeroSystem · 03-13-2010, 12:40 AM

Your 70 gallon is already cycled? Why not add the fish now? You can always redesign the decorations while the fish are in there if thats what you're referring to as far as setting up goes. If the 70g is already filtered, heated and has completed the nitrogen cycle, then the fish will all do better in there then they would in the 10g.

Be careful when talking with pet store employees, especially those at the big box stores. Although you may occasionally find a knowledgeable person there they will be very few and far in between. Researching before you buy is always a good idea and the internet can be a powerful tool. People like us here at FTF will always be willing to help you out too of course!

Bala sharks get huge. And you need to keep them in a group of 6 or more preferably. They have a reputation of jumping out of tanks too! Since they can get up to 14 inches, I wouldn't recommend getting them. I don't know enough about teacup stingrays to say one way or another. Sounds awesome, but I couldn't tell ya how compatible they are or their tank requirements. Something to look up I suppose.

I have a severum cichlid right now in a 75g. He's about 4 inches or so. I keep him with a large group of Bleeding Heart tetra's, Diamond tetra's and some Dwarf Flag cichlids. I've got a few bristlenose pleco's in there as well. The tetra's are doing well and growing fast. I'm hoping that the Severum will not become overly aggressive towards them once he reaches his full size, but there is no way to know for sure. Some people have had luck while others have had to keep their severum with only other large cichlids. So far so good as he doesn't seem to acknowledge their existance what so ever! That being said, the Oscar you have is a different story. I would say maybe something large and very fast like Giant Danio's may work... for awhile at least. Large catfish like Rapheal cats may work good too, but don't plan on seeing them too often. They hide. A lot! Pictus cats are another good choice. Kinda hard with multiple large cichlids. Once they grow up they will fill up that tank nicely and look awesome as well. If you do try to add other fish, wait until you're using the 70g. Hope this helps! If I can think of any other options for tank mates I will let you know.