Americans????

[ashhhh]

I have a 4/2/2ft tank ex african setup and am looking to set up with americans.Anyone with any knowledge or infomation on them would be appreciated.Would like to know what species live well together ,dont grow too big too quik,look pretty and generally sociable with other species of americans.If you would like to share what u know pls use common names as well as the tricky names - cheers Ash<
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[mickvick]

So I guess you are after a community set up.......<
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>Firstly, you will need to change the water parameters by decreasing the pH. To do this you should remove all buffering ... eg calcium carbonate, coral etc and do a large water change.<
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>Fish that will get along fairly peacefully would be:<
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>Parrots (Copora nicaraguense)<
>Firemouth (Meeki)<
>Severums (Heros severus)<
>Acara''s Blue, Port etc - (Aequidens pulcher, Aequidens Portalgrense) <
>Rivulatus - (Aequidens rivulatus)<
>Most Geophagus sp (Brasiliensis,surinamensis, balzani etc)<
>keyhold cichlid (Cleithracara maronii )<
>Festivum (Mesonauta festivum)<
>Satanoperca sp Jurapari/Leucosticta <
>Convict (Archocentrus nigrofasciatus )<
>Rose Breasted Cichlid (Amphilophus longimanus)<
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>There should be enough there to get you started..........<
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>Michael<
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>Hi Ash<
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>I see by your profile you are on the Gold Coast. Why don''t you come along to the Gold Coast Aquarium Society (GCAS) meeting this Friday night at Southport. We have a few members who are into Americans and you can have a chat with them, and maybe even get onto some nice locally
ed fish at a good price.<
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>Cheers, Doug

[ashhhh]

thanks for the info michael, but I was under the impression that Americans liked a ph of around 7.  I had my water tested by a local aqarium shop and it came in at about 7.4.I have about 15 to 20kg of calcium carbonate substrate and have a large cichlasoma festae who is perfectly healthy and seems to be in no apparent distress.I also add salt to my water as when I got him he had a few bumps and scratches but they healed extremely quickly with the salt additive.I suppose everyone has there own opinions and can only advise, so once again thanks for the info - much appreciated  <
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>ps. know anyone wanting a large male festae? Edited by: ashhhh at: 8/6/05 21:25<
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[devz11]

I think what michael was trying to say is that generally you provide a higher PH for africans in the first place as they prefer about 8 to 8.5 and americans dont like it like that. Your water ph was probably a bit low for africans if it was at about 7.4. But that Ph is fine for americans. I keep both americans and africans and both have to have different water balances. Salt is the best thing to keep in your tank but just remember it doesnt evaporate like the water and when you do a water change only top up the salt 1gram to every litre you replace of water. Most species of americans can live together quite fine when they are young its only as they get a bit bigger they have aggression issues. You can actually get quite a good mix if you start them young but every fish is different as they age. Have a go with things you like. Thats the only way to find out if the fish will mix well together.

[mickvick]

Thats right Devz....i was giving a generalisation as i didnt know what your water parameters were. Generally africans prefer say 7.5 to 9 and americans 6 - 7.5, so there is an obvious difference.<
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>Any statement about the ''correct'' water parameters for SA cichlids would be a generalisation in itself because it depends entirely on where the fish came from in SA. The pH for SA cichlids ranges from about 6.0 to about 7.5 and different species prefer different conditions. <
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>The hardness of the water is also different for Africans as opposed to SA''s.<
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>The fish might live perfectly fine in certain conditions, but it doesnt mean that it is ideal or optimal. For example although you can live in 40 degree heat it doesnt mean that you enjoy it or you are particularly comfortable.<
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>As I said before, you should remove the Calcium Carb- but its your call.<
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>Michael

[ashhhh]

thanks for your advice guys, but I didnt mean to sound arrogant ,will try to word what I say diferently - new to this,<
>thanks ASH