First venture into Central American cichlids

[joss]

Hi all,
I'm getting a pair of C. sp. Honduran Red Points in a couple of weeks, they are going in a 36X12X20high heavily planted tank, that currently only has a small BN and snails for inhabitants.
Any one have experience keeping them? Will they need to be kept alone, or can I put in a group of
tetras, or other small shoaling fish?

[myjohnson]

I could never really tell the difference between these fish and convicts. I had not experience with C. sp. Honduran Red Points but I do have a bunch of exp with convicts. If they are anything alike, I would not recommend tetras as tank mates. They will be hunting....then again that's kind of cool.

[joss]

What, if anything would be suitable tank-mates for them? Something more like tiger barbs, maybe?

[eklikewhoa]

If you find something fast moving enough it will work, giant danios or the like... the tiger barbs is a maybe as well.

From my exp. the Honduran red points are a tiny bit more forgiving compared to convicts but both will terrorize the tank once paired off and mating. As for the Heavily planted part, you might consider potting those plants cause these S.A.'s will uproot or dig burrows where they plan to inhabit.

When deciding on tankmates for this pair you have to think, "fast moving", "schooling type fish" or "agressive enough in a group to disperse the aggression".

[Mandocruz06]

Thai: the differance between then the HRP has like a rainbow color in fins as for the victs they are solid and HRP have longer fins,as well...and they both breed like rabbits

[eklikewhoa]

Thai: the differance between then the HRP has like a rainbow color in fins as for the victs they are solid and HRP have longer fins,as well...and they both breed like rabbits

I have found those two occur in both.

[Rico]

try sajicas or cutteri instead

[Lydia]

I came upon HRP accidentally and had no idea what it was! I adored their curious personality...now I breed HRP! It is my theory that "pure" HRP are not mean and nasty - they are quite personable and social. Not to mention very colorful ! One pair carried the recessive "Leucistic" gene - basically a white HRP. They aren't albino -they are white bodied, regular eyes, and the fins have the yellow and orange colorings. I am STILL waiting for them to breed..........

I have had mine with lots of different peaceful/semi types.....and actually I think they do better with some dither fish, otherwise they tend to hide out alot.


HRP will fiercely defend their fry from being appetizers - but they stay in their home territory - won't have all the other fish hovering in the far corner. I have inherited a couple in the past that were terrors - my opinion is they were cross bred with black convicts. I quickly culled them!