55G CA Community Suggestions.

[BiGBlak]

Im still on the fence about how i would like to go about converting my 55g setup up to a CA community Tank. Im still looking for suggestions Possibilities before i give the go ahead to my LFS to order what i want. So Plz Throw stuff out that works for you , would work good, doesnt hurt to try , just anything plz thnks. i want to Build Around the FireMouths.

My plan that im leaning towards
2-3 FireMouths
1 Convict
1 Blue Acara
10-12 Columbian Tetras ( As Dithers )
1-2 Syno Cats

The Tank will have a Sand bottom With rocks as caves and a few Fake Plants and a few Real Plants...

[BiGBlak]

Anyone... Im going to make the order on Tue...

[MCHRKiller]

I would leave the con out unless it is female. Honestly I would get 6 Firemouths and grow them out until a pair is formed then trade the 4 spares into the LFS and consider picking up a female con and an acara later on. Be careful buying Synos many of them grow quite large, and honestly I would stick to more of a SA catfish considering the requirements of your tetras.

[BiGBlak]

I would leave the con out unless it is female. Honestly I would get 6 Firemouths and grow them out until a pair is formed then trade the 4 spares into the LFS and consider picking up a female con and an acara later on. Be careful buying Synos many of them grow quite large, and honestly I would stick to more of a SA catfish considering the requirements of your tetras.
So a pair would work with other fish ? i always thought and got replies that once the FM start to mate anything in the tank besides dithers are in danger ... And what type of cats are SA? I was thinking of pictus ? but yea thanks for the reply . and i can only do a single con and acara with the pair ?

[rich311k]

I would go with Bn or another smaller pleco instead of the syno cats. I think the convict would be too much as well. The other cichlids will fill the tank nicely.

[Lady Hobbs]

And be aware the firemouths start spawning very early and spawn constantly. I had to cull 400 of them because I simply could not find a way to get rid of them all.

No convict and I would also not add tetra's. Perhaps some giant danio's.

[Lady Hobbs]

I thought you were putting your rainbows in this tank?

[BiGBlak]

I would go with Bn or another smaller pleco instead of the syno cats. I think the convict would be too much as well. The other cichlids will fill the tank nicely.
at this moment i dont feel like dishing out the cash to fill the tank with driftwood thats why i was thinking of syno cats since they can handle if being bullied....

[BiGBlak]

And be aware the firemouths start spawning very early and spawn constantly. I had to cull 400 of them because I simply could not find a way to get rid of them all.

No convict and I would also not add tetra's. Perhaps some giant danio's.
Columbians are big enought arnt they ? just as big as congos and can swim ?

[BiGBlak]

Another idea i thought of was as pair of blue acara FM and two other cichlids . I mainly want each fish to have its on identity so like a can single them out thats what im going for and variety.

[BiGBlak]

I thought you were putting your rainbows in this tank?
nope im keeping my rainbows in my 40 for now. . .

[Lady Hobbs]

Columbians are big enought arnt they ? just as big as congos and can swim ?

Okey-dokey.....I thought you were looking for all suggestions? Will keep my trap shut after this.

[BiGBlak]

Okey-dokey.....I thought you were looking for all suggestions? Will keep my trap shut after this.
i thought you meant as they wouldnt last in the tank as dithers. I am looking for suggestions i was just asking another question because thats what you made it seem like .

[korweabo0]

I would leave the con out unless it is female. Honestly I would get 6 Firemouths and grow them out until a pair is formed then trade the 4 spares into the LFS and consider picking up a female con and an acara later on. Be careful buying Synos many of them grow quite large, and honestly I would stick to more of a SA catfish considering the requirements of your tetras.

1+ to this. i'm not too experienced with cichlids, but i've read and heard about how synos can get big.