Cichlids for a 180ltr

[dave]

Hi guys,I have a rio 180 which currently has a few corys.I want to keep some american cichlids,but realise its probably not a great size tank.I have read up a lot online about various species,and have narrowed it down to blue acara,firemouths or keyholes.Has anybody had experience with these,as the online info can be contradictive at times.I do realise that individual fish can vary within a species in their behaviour.The thing with keyholes is that the tank is in a busy area of the house.
The other option is to go for some of the dwarf species,I'm keen on rams,apistos or sheepshead acara(laetacara curviceps).I realise they can be a bit territorial,but if I broke up lines of sight,territories,etc,how many would I get in.Can I mix them,eg 2 rams plus 2 acara,etc.
As I say,there is loads online,but just wanted to know if anyone here has experience with these or similar species.
Thanks in advance.

[karen]

I would go for blue acaras they really are great fish,have you ever thought about a midas?they have such great personalitys

[dave]

Don't know much about them,they seem big,was hoping for something about the 6-8in size,and need to be cory friendly.Also hope,if stocking levels allow,to have some surface dwellers,preferably marbled hatchets.
Will have a look at midas online.
Only thing with the blue acara is I have a few plants.How many do you reckon I could get in?

[karen]

Acaras grow to 10inches so what i would do is get maybe 6 juvies to start with then see if you get a pair and then i would return the others
I would only keep a pair in a 180lt and then go for with some hatchets.

[dave]

thats about what i was thinking.thanks for the advice.will keep you posted and get some photos sorted,once the algae is gone!started an album on photobucket today with dive photos and mpeg clips,so will get some aquarium ones done.

[karen]

Great cant wait to see some pictures.

[anthony]

Midas cichlids are the most aggressive cichlids I ever kept and you tank is too small to keep them. Sajicas and Rainbows would be mid sized and mid aggressive and your corydoras should be fine.
Or you could go for Salvinis/Firemouths/Jack Dempseys and convicts. I kept these together and they were fine.
Keyholes are boring and bland. They are also extremely shy.

Personally I would go for the Sajicas and the Rainbows.

A dwarf Tanganyikan tank would be really cool.

[dave]

thanks mate,I like the sajicas myself,so theres an option,how many would you recommend?would a couple of rams in with them be a recipe for disaster?
don't know the first thing about africans,but my water here would be hard enough for them.quite fond of the neolamprologus brichardi,they reckon they're a good starter african.however i have to bear in mind the corys.

[anthony]

Your water would not be good for the Corys or the Rams. Rams are very sensitive to ph.
I would go for 4 of each.

[dave]

thanks anthony,i just got 5 sajica from drew,biggest must be about an inch long.hard to get a park up there today,busy!

[mark]

Are you not going with some acaras now mate?

[dave]

i will see how these guys settle in,then have a look later.still keen on the blues,but have a good few plants in the tank now.i might just have to buy another tank for the blue acara

[mark]

Blue acars are stunning fish,im planning them for my next tank.

[anthony]

great choice.
Sajicas are beautiful fish.