American Cichlid Tank

[Willyleigh]

I am in the planning stages of an American Cichlid tank, as I work at an LFS I can now get a 95 imp Gal tank and stand for £300.

What kind of aquascape do American Cichlids prefer, I have found a lot of info the the internet about African Cichlids but not about South American cichlids.

I was thinking of Convicts, severums and Jack Dempsey, what else would go well in my tank when I get it?

[Drumachine09]

I am in the planning stages of an American Cichlid tank, as I work at an LFS I can now get a 95 imp Gal tank and stand for £300.

What kind of aquascape do American Cichlids prefer, I have found a lot of info the the internet about African Cichlids but not about South American cichlids.

I was thinking of Convicts, severums and Jack Dempsey, what else would go well in my tank when I get it?

Get two gold, two green, and two tourqois severums.

The severums will prefer a "river" like setting with alot of plants and driftwood to serve as "sunken trees" and the occasional small rockstructure, like i have in the corners of my tank.

Buy them small 2 inches or so, and introduce them together.

[Glasstapper]

Severums are one of those that aren't prone to dig a lot. However, Jack Dempseys, Salvinis, others (you'd have to read that particular fish's profile) will uproot most plants and you'll probably be stuck with plants on your driftwood and rock like java fern and java moss. Floating plants would be all right, as well, but it may be tricky because of the high filtration causing lots of current. Most diggers like a sand or smooth gravel substrate. It makes them happy when they can relandscape their yard without getting injured from sharp rocks. ;)

Oh, also, if you happen to have any aggression issues with the convicts and jack dempseys, there are lots of other cichlids that are more even tempered like Festivums (generally not a digger), Firemouths (might be ok with plants), red hump eartheater (NOT ok with plants - go with sand), and curviceps (not sure if these are ok with plants or not). Most of those stay relatively small as well, so you shouldn't have to worry too much about them busting your tank.

[Willyleigh]

Thanks for the replies you two, so a driftwood and rock aquascape would suit them well, I could have some Java Moss as well to grow along the bottom.

Another question is what water conditions do these Cichlids prefer, I have hardwater and have read that they prefer soft water, will this be a problem?

[cocoa_pleco]

If the store raised them in hard water, it shouldnt be a problem. Theyre used to it by then. However, if the store has soft water and you put him in hard water, you could have a problem