Tropical Fish Forums

[tragiclok]

I am currently cycling my new 65 gal tank. It is going to be a heavily planted tank. My first question is would a firemouth cichlid work with a planted tank? My second question is would the firemouth work with more peaceful tank mates. I'm planning on keeping it a mostly south american cichlid tank(other than firemouth).
Possible tank mates:
2 german blue rams
2 rainbow cichlids or even 2 keyholes
1 Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid
1 Gold Nugget Pleco
3 to 5 SAE
and possibly a school of at least 6 rummynose tetras

If anyone can tell me what is possibly wrong with my setup it would be a big help. Or even other types of dwarf cichlids that would be compatible with my setup.

[Jack_Dempsey11]

First of all, yes, Firemouths are generally fine in planted tanks, espicially if there is only one as it will not be digging any pits for eggs.

As for your tankmates, although the Firemouth cichlid is generally peaceful when not spawning, I don't think your dwarf cichlids and tetras will last long. Keep in mind that the firemouth stops growing at a size of about 6 inches, while the dwarfs only grow to about two inches.

Another concern is the waste produced by the firemouth. Dwarf cichlids generally cannot thrive in a tank with nitrate levels much more than 10ppm, which, in your case, could possibly involve tri-weekly water changes.

I don't have any experience with rainbow cichlids of keyhole cichlids, but I think you will be much happier without them as well. I say ditch the firemouth and rainbows/keyholes and go with some more peaceful cichlids, like maybe angelfish (but keep in mind that they also grow very large).
_________________
I'm Back