DoubleD
08-02-2010, 11:25 PM
I am currently in a quite the conundrum. I am slowly working on rebuilding a 55g tank that I want to turn into a South American community tank. The centerpiece of the tank I want to be a single species of cichlid, but I cannot decide which one! I would very much like them to be able to breed in my tank, but from what I have read most monogamous cichlids need to purchased in groups of 6+ in order to find a pair, and the rest need to be moved. This seems like an expensive task and I really just do not have the room for extra fish. So I am leading towards a more polygamous species, of which there are unfortunately very little to choose from. In what I have read it seems like most Gymnogeophagus can be polygamous of which I find I enjoy Gymnogeophagus balzanii but they appear to be a species that is hard to breed in the aquarium. The other species from the family that caught my eye was Gymnogeophagus australis which seems to be a bit more adaptable to conditions and more easily breed though I am unsure if it is truly a polygamous species. Finally the last fish on my short list was Apistogramma agassizii mostly due to its size so I would be able to house a larger number of this fish to have a better shot at breeding, but again from what I hear breeding is difficult and with all dwarves is sensitive to water conditions.
Would any of these three choices be good for a 55g tank, and are there any more that I have over looked? I have not totally ruled out monogamous cichlids if anyone has any suggestions on getting a compatible pair other than buying a ton of fish?
Thanks for looking!
Would any of these three choices be good for a 55g tank, and are there any more that I have over looked? I have not totally ruled out monogamous cichlids if anyone has any suggestions on getting a compatible pair other than buying a ton of fish?
Thanks for looking!