Nicaragua cichlids

[coolingeffect]

I have an opportunity to get as many of these guys as i want at the moment and i really like them so i have a few questions.

1. The females are the ones that have all the color in this species yes?
2. How big are they before they usually begin to show good color?
3. Is there any way to sex them when they are small? (dont want a male, as i dont want to deal with spawning agression)

[Lab_Rat]

Females have brighter colors but the males are impressive in their own right. I currently have a spawning pair, and the aggression isn't bad as long as the other fish stay out of the spawning site. They will defend their eggs/babies fiercely, but they do not pursue those fish that retreat. Mine started showing decent color at about 4", though their best colors are right before spawning. You'll have to let them grow out a bit before sexing them, females are a more reddish color and get red coloration on their belly.

My female:
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My male:
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[coolingeffect]

so you think 6 geos (3 suriname and 3 red head) a firemouth a pair of red ciebals and a pair of nics could work in a 125 or should i scrap something?

[toddnbecka]

Red ceibals are an aggressive species, Geo's and nic's are relatively peaceful in general. They may mix well enough, but the reds will bear watching as they mature.

[Lab_Rat]

The nics are quite peaceful for cichlids and should do well with geos. Never kept the ciebals, so I can't say there.

[coolingeffect]

would yellow convicts "cryptohero nanoleatus" work better then the reds? I can get either. I just dont want to end up overstocked. from what ive been told by the guy im getting either the ciebals or yellow cons they are all wussies.

[toddnbecka]

The nanoluteus are also a fairly mellow species, closely related to convicts but don't have the same aggression issues. I don't know how the ceibals would mix with unrelated species, but mixed with other Australoheros they're apparently holy terrors.