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I always used dither fish in situations like my 75g with a 6'' convict, 12'' jack, and jeez I think he was about 11'' my pike cichlid but he was so fast and had a giant mouth. They all had their territory they'd end up lip locking mostly sometimes rougher but when I added giant danios they chased them and didn't take it out on each other nearly so much but silver dollars are much nicer to look at and can do the same thing just made sure you get big ones at least 4'' and a large school at least 7 I'd say.
BUT the OP said I decided to upgrade 55gal tank to a 8ft that'd be what 300gs? You could do some fun dither fish for your cichlids in there Red hook silver dollars can reach 12''(rarely usually closer to 8'') regular ones 6''
Check out this video how cool they look something to think about I dunno why he's using them to dither for african cichlids but it's the best video I could find of the red color etc they are amazing looking fish.
Also it appears my fav fish Jack Demps are similiar to sex as Texas Cichlids.
Here is a list of characters you can use on your green Texas cichlids (Herichthys carpintis) and Jack Dempseys (Rocio octofasciata)
Males usually
are larger than females of the same age
have longer dorsal and anal fins than females of the same age
are slimmer than females when given access to the same amount of food
are more aggressive than females
and are more colorful than females.
I think you got it right.
Last edited by FishGuy67; 01-03-2014 at 03:08 AM.
Long time fish keeper most experience with CA/SA cichlids, natives like sunfish, and aggressive catfish.
Currently have a 29g planted with 14 candy cane tetras, 6 sterbai corys, 6 melini corys, a rescued Siamese fighting fish and 1 mustache wearing albino longfin pleco.