I can't tell what fish is what when shopping

[mizzoutank]

Hi all,
My tank should finish its cycle this weekend and I'm wanting to add 2/3 cichlids that will play nice with other fish-yes i realize most cichlids are not compatible with my tertras and swords.
But I have an affinity towards bolivian rams (right now.lol)
The issue I have is that the closest lfs to me is Petco-the staff is hit or miss when it comes to fish. They don't have their cichlids listed at certain types-all they have on the label is "Assorted South American Cichlid" The only other labels they have are a Jack Dempsey, and Green-something or another.
So How am I supposed to get a guarantee that I'll get my bolivian rams? Because I don't want to take home another cichlid that isnt fit for my tank and or will eat my tetras.
Any ideas?
the other LFS has a great staff-stock is decent but they charge an arm and a leg for their fish. (example, a pleco at petco is like 3 bucks, a pleco at the other place is 12-same size)

[Goes to 11!]

You don't, None of the 'assorted cichlids' will be rams. I doubt they even sell them.
It wouldn't hurt to research them a bit further so that you recognize when you are not looking at one. :-P

The plecos may be the same size but are very likely to be different types of plecs and the prices [& adult sizes for that matter] can vary considerably.

[mizzoutank]

I've done a slight amount of research to realize what they look like fully grown-but as babies they are tough to recognize (IMO) One or two of the fish looked like they could be a ram. but my experience is not there to really be able to decide. I'll keep looking things up to see if something will help differentiate them for me.
Otherwise-no cichlids are compatible with my current tank stocking?

Good point on the plecos-i'm new to the aquarium stuff and when i went there, i didnt really realize that fish could get upwards of 30-80bucks a pop. :P
but now I know. lol-plus the expensive fish live in 10000% better conditions (or it seems) than the ones at petco. so its nice to know that the fish you are getting are well cared for and in healthy environments.

[Goes to 11!]

I've done a slight amount of research to realize what they look like fully grown-but as babies they are tough to recognize (IMO) One or two of the fish looked like they could be a ram. but my experience is not there to really be able to decide. I'll keep looking things up to see if something will help differentiate them for me.
Otherwise-no cichlids are compatible with my current tank stocking?

Good point on the plecos-i'm new to the aquarium stuff and when i went there, i didnt really realize that fish could get upwards of 30-80bucks a pop. :P
but now I know. lol-plus the expensive fish live in 10000% better conditions (or it seems) than the ones at petco. so its nice to know that the fish you are getting are well cared for and in healthy environments.

I would quit looking for them at Petco/land/smart. They do not sell rams that I am aware of & IMO It's very likely that the reason is they cannot maintain conditions suitable for their survival.

Angelfish are cichlids but you have not mentioned your tank size so It's difficult to suggest anything for you.

[mizzoutank]

I have a 40gal breeder.
stocked with 6 silver tip tetras(i want to increase to 10)
2 swordtails.

2 HOB Marine land penguin 200 filters
Heated at 79-80deg F

I have a decent amount of fake plants (later will explore live plants)
and a nice sized piece of drift wood propped up in the corner.

I just want a nice show case fish that is compatible with my current stock, and it seems that cichlids range so much in what they are compatible with-its tough to shop for.

[Fishin Phil]

I would quit looking for them at Petco/land/smart. They do not sell rams that I am aware of & IMO It's very likely that the reason is they cannot maintain conditions suitable for their survival.

Not exactly true. You may not have recognized them because they look so crappy, but I frequently see GBRs at PetSmart and PetLand. I'll show you when you come up.

ETA: I've never seen the Bolivian Rams around here.

[mizzoutank]

They only had two that looked like rams-the rest were IMO not close to a ram.
This is how i'm "judging" ram vs whatever else.

based on this picture:
http://animal-world.com/encyclo/fres...Ciam_Ap8AF.jpg

so i look on the fish for a more "flat" underside-with the appropriate fins and structure of the head-idk how else to describe/look. The colors don't reveal much since they were babies and not fully "colored"
They were a very light blue color-and the pattern looked to be a slight tiger striping.

that probably didnt make any sense-but in my head it did.lol

[Cliff]

I really have to take a good look when looking at the fish in stock at a LFS before I can confidently recognize some of them. It can be hard as the fish in some LFS are not kept in the best of conditions and a lot of times are stressed from just being shipped or have a net dipped in there tank a few times a day.

They will never look as colorful or as healthy as they do in your tank at home when they have received proper care and are kept in good water conditions

[Goes to 11!]

Wow - I am now a bit more aware tyvm FP
I admit they have never been on my radar while in there, I know my Petsmart doesn't sell them but this is the boondocks so...

In any case, I wouldn't say that rams from a big box store would be your best bet because as FP mentions, They tend to not be in great shape.

OP How big are your swordtails? If they are small yet you could get 6 SMALL angels and let them pair up and then rehome the others.

A 40 Breeder would be a nice home for a mated pair of angels but I ask how big the swords are because they may pick on smaller angels [the big ones pick back ]

Makes me feel like when I buy fish-i'm saving them from Petco.

No, You are supporting them and therefore encouraging them to continue the practices they do. It is exactly this sort of 'rescuing' that perpetuates the problem. Sorry you had to hear it from me.