Mixing Cichlids?

What are determining factors in selecting different types? Is it mostly size? I've been poking around a bit! Two that caught my eye were Convicts and Blue Rams. I had a pair of Rams before and they used to butt heads like goats!

Theres a few different thing to consider when mixing cichlids. Try to keep them from the same area. Theres 2 types oldworld cichlids from Lake Malawi, Lake Victoria and Lake Tanganyika that are very aggressive and nippy. And new worldcichlids from Central American Cichlids and South American Cichlids. You also need to think about size and aggression of the cichlids. If im honest i wouldnt mix cons and rams. Theres a few reasons why. Blue rams need higher temps between 28-32C whereas cons like it 24-26C. Cons get 6" and rams only get 2-3" plus cons are extremely aggressive and when breeding they will try to kill other fish that get in there way.

Is it better to keep old world and new world separate then?

Yh old world cichlids like higher ph and are normally alot more aggressive. You have to overstock and old world tank slightly to keep down aggression levels. Some people have had it work but its extremely lucky and not worth the risk and hassle IMO. I cant really help with old world cichlids as ive never kept or looked into them. All ive kept are new worlds that are alot nicer looking IMO. What ph do you have?

I'm still looking for free or cheap tanks and just haven't been lucky enough yet. Could be months before I actually a tank for cichlids. I imagine the size of tank will be a deciding factor in the fish selection. I would prefer a fifty-five gl. tank though. Just looking a bit and dreaming for now. Tap water is 6.8

6.8 will be good for new worlds. In a tank about 55G you could either go for a few pairs or trios of dwarf and a few types of fish like a few catfish and some shoaling fish like tetra. Or you can go for a pair of bigger cichlids and a few bigger dithers like rainbowfish.

I think from a practical point it should be the new world dwarfs then! I would rather have a busier tank than not! I guess I'll poke around in the new world and see what tickles me!

You could get away with 2 maby 3 pairs of dwarf in a tank about 55G theres a few types that would work apistogramma (thats what i have), keyholes, checkerboard cichlids, rams, dwarf acara
For a 55g something like this would work
Trio of apisto (1 male 2females)
pair of keyholes or checkerboard cichlids or rams or dwarf acara
Pair of bristlenoses
8 corys
8 rainbow cichlids
1 festivum

Or you could go with the bigger cichlids like
pair of blue acara or firmouths or convicts
1 plec
10 rainbow cichlids

or you could go for
5 discus
10 Corydoras sterbai
10 rummynose tetra

Or you can go down the predatory root and get dwarf pike cichlids, bichirs and a few bigger fast shoaling fish Like silver dollars or tiger barbs. I would say snakeheads but there illegal in the US

Snakeheads it is then!! LOL! I just love forbidden fruit! I'll have to go to images and look through as I'm not familiar with all the fish.Thanks Kiz!

Haha they are amazing looking. i i ever get a big enough thank thats the first thing thats going in there. Fair enpugh. There all nice looking fish IMO. I personally would go for the 3rd or 4th because discus have amazing colours and the predators would be fun to keep and watch.

Discus aren't cheap these days, but I've always liked them. Colors to appease
anyone's taste! It would almost be torture for me choosing! I have a friend that had
several mated pairs at one time.

I really like discus. Ive been toying with the idear of getting rid of all the fish in my 30G once the bns have been moved and getting a breeding pair to go in there. But not sure yet. I really like blue cobalt and albinos discus

Anything blue on the discus. I saw flamingos and think they are great too!

Making a store run. No TP! One would think its a "State of Emergency! Back in 30 minutes if you are still around!

There quite nice. I prefer the patterns on the cobalts though.

For me it probably boils down to whats available at the time within my top choices!

Fair enough. Good luck finding a tank

Thanks! I've been unlucky so far. Missed it by that much("s)!It'll pan out!

I know how you feel. I never won that 120G in the end :[. sure you'll find one soon.

Any more updates on a tank?

No updates other than I missed out on a fifty-five gl. yesterday. Thats twice I missed it. It was posted once before and was stocked with cichlids if I remember right!