My "TOP "5" American Cichlids for a 55 gallon tank!

[@ScottMclaughlinJ]

Hello King and Queen Friends- hit that like button and if you are new here please hit that subscribe button! TY so much and Happy Holidays!!!

[@voxpopuli905]

Wifey is adorable. 👍🏼 good job bro.

[@wantsome-zs5sq]

What that a Robertsoni in the bottom left at 9:03

[@phylr3983]

I’m a middle-aged woman who used to look forward to shopping for clothes, shoes, cosmetics - hell, even organizing supplies. NOW, after my first fish tank and developing MTS (multiple tank syndrome) I am ADDICTED to FISH - specifically CICHLIDS. Thanks for your videos!

[@marypaigeflynn4512]

I just love you guys there is no better chemistry than what the King and Queen has going on!! I always love seeing y'all rock the robes!! I love this list of your top five! Thank you for really sitting down with us and discussing the care and the personalities on these incredible fish! I know this is the direction I'm going to end up going someday and that's why I'm learning and following along with y'all!! You are an incredible teacher Scott and the videos are 💥🔥 I enjoy listening to you share your experience! You really do break it down for someone who's considering going this direction in the hobby to have some true success!! Love you guys and I hope your weekend is as beautiful as y'all are and is truly blessed!!🙏🤗🌿🐟🌿💚

[@ScottMclaughlinJ]

Love you Mary! It’s so good seeing you on Facebook now!!!

[@phylr3983]

What a great couple! I’m enjoying their videos and learning a lot.

[@zachdavis3068]

New to the hobby. Picked up a 55 gallon on the side of the road. Brother in law hooked me up with a canister pump setup. Buddy at work has cichlids that just reproduced. Not sure of type. Trying to find 55 gallon cichlid videos about how many and what types for this particular tank. Very informative video here. Thanks 👍.

[@Isaiah-hy2xf]

I am just searching this out for myself, what did you end up doing for your 55??

[@nelsonmontanez4760]

That demonstration with the tank and the plushes is exactly what people need to see and why tank size matters. Also angelfish are not boring!

[@jaymilo8425]

I was 3 in 82, got into fish around 88 and have done it on and off since. Always went with killers but am looking into going with cichlids now because they seem alot prettier and better tempered.

[@JERZEEHOTBOY]

Cichlids are the killers too 😁

[@jackanddan]

Great suggestions.....but angel fish aren’t boring!!!!! They are one of the all time classics baby!!! ❤️❤️😀😀👍👍

[@marypaigeflynn4512]

😆👍💚🌿🐟🌿

[@ScottMclaughlinJ]

Yeah I got in trouble for that remark... Angels are cool just not my kind of fish

[@jackanddan]

@@ScottMclaughlinJ hahaha angels were my first....I was 5 years old....we have not had them in a while but we are going to be having them soon again just miss them too much! You guys have a fabulous holiday😀😀

[@TheOfficialSteelReign]

I love convicts. They are so underrated in the hobby. Even the common ones are gorgeous if allowed to grow out and not be fin nipped. You're circle is doubtless much more encompassing than mine, but I personally have never been able to grow out the electric blue jack dempsey past 3 or 4 inches. In fact, I have not seen one (other than on KZbin) reach adulthood. They are not very hardy in my experience. I definitely stick to the non-morphs now. One you didn't mention is the salvini. Mine is really developing into a nice looking fish, with enough attitude to live among a jag, a pike, a dempsey, a texas, a couple oscars and a couple of the aforementioned convicts.

[@insidethecichlidden7122]

Good choices Scott....what about some of the geos like tapajos or heckelli. You could even try Nicaraguans or lentiginosum.

[@ScottMclaughlinJ]

Great suggestions! Liz loves the Geos they are a little too pretty for me lol

[@pelhamsaquatics]

2 of my fav cichlid channels in one spot!

[@guynotes777]

First time watcher..absolutely agree with the list, I would just put in different order..will for sure subscribe

[@papasmerf6453]

Awesome. I love Jack Dempseys. Guess I need a 55 next. 😊 New subscriber. Also I was 9 and definitely had Thriller and the Atari on my list to Santa.

[@piman2boek364]

I had a pair of Jack Dempseys in a 55 gallon tank and one day thought my tank water was dirty. Turned out I was looking at a cloud of baby fish.

[@8732dg]

Great list! Love your videos !!! And I agree 100% the Original JD’s are some really beautiful fish, I’m in love with em.... Thanks Scott & Liz💙

[@jeremyblackwater439]

They’re just so boring though.

[@AAE-cg1il]

I have always had a thing for the Green Terror. They are absolutely gorgeous fish……and like a water puppy when kept alone.

[@Bushehri1]

Thank you for the video, and Merry Christmas 🎅 🎄

[@AQUAFUNK]

BRO FOR REAL I LOVE THIS LIST I WAS GOING TO PUT OUT A TOP 5 FOR 55 THIS UP COMING WEAK BUT YOU SET THE BAR REALLY HIGH WITH SOME INCREDIBLE FISH SO IM GANNA HAVE TO TAKE A STEP BACK AND THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX ON THIS ONE LUV YA BROTHER 💪😎👍

[@ScottMclaughlinJ]

Nothing but love my friend! Do it still. It could be a response video to mine especially with the Angel remark lol

[@monsterfishgal]

Love the Video. Liz gonna let the 55 stay in the kitchen Happy Holidays Stay Fishy Stay Safe 💕

[@ScottMclaughlinJ]

Lori she made me move it right after she watched this video lol

[@swastikarya941]

You should do videos about dwarf cichlids, both from Africa and South America,that can be housed in 20 or 29 gallons

[@jeroenverzijl8596]

east african ciclids are very good for smaller tanks

[@swastikarya941]

@@jeroenverzijl8596 yeah cool

[@chico6085]

True blue acaras are another good choice for a 55!one of my personal favorites

[@CaylorsReptilesAquatics]

The Severums will do ok in the 55 for a while. Mine outgrew the 55, so I upgraded them, and the Geophagus, to the 180. Now, I’m pulling out several small cichlids, and swapping them back to the 55. My pair of Pacu will move over to the 180. 🤷‍♂️ Love the JDs, of course my 11” female Cobalt, is best in fish house! Thanks scott and Liz.

[@ScottMclaughlinJ]

Bob you have an amazing collection of fish. Ty so much for stopping by!

[@ManuelGonzalez-zb8hm]

Lol ,good video king 🤴 and queen 👸 see you on the next video happy holidays stay safe ,

[@ScottMclaughlinJ]

We thank you for your support my friend!

[@fishtales2597]

Hi thats a great visual for showing people how big some fish can get... thanx and love your aquariums

[@mk_cichlids]

Herotilapia multispinosa and amatitlania nanolutea would be wonderful in a 55! Any of the amatitlania really, the siquia and true HRP's are nice as well.

[@ScottMclaughlinJ]

Great suggestions Mike!

[@dmoore0079]

Totally agree. Any Cryptoheros/Amanatitlania would work great in a 55 due to their small size. There are also some Thoricthys species (Firemouth relatives) that are drop dead gorgeous (Aureum or Maculipinnis for example) that would be good in a 55gal as well

[@Lumpydog]

Dang fine advice. Thanks for the video. Cheers

[@ScottMclaughlinJ]

Always a supreme pleasure to have you come through Lumpy

[@jbres909]

Great info you and liz are hilarious great couple have a great holiday be safe

[@ScottMclaughlinJ]

Ty my friend we appreciate you!

[@tori5423]

What's the cichlid shown @ 10:06? You were talking about convicts but that's not a convict. And its beautiful!.

[@princetrophies]

I been looking the internet for it too

[@mickem4322]

Nice vid + info as always!! You have gotten me into larger fish again Scott.. I just ordered myself a X-mas gift today.. 4 small Nandopsis haitiensis ! :D I wish for You and Liz to have a great and wonderful Holiday ! BTW.. I actually got that Christmas feeling from childhood back from this vid.. In the early 80`s my only wish was the book "American Cichlids 1" by Horst Linke and Wolfgang Staeck.. and I got it !.. Man, Times Flies !!, Love what you do !! :D

[@ScottMclaughlinJ]

Love you back! Ty for the support

[@wisconsinaquatics]

I've been checking out the Grammodes for a while you just convinced me to get one Cheers bud

[@ScottMclaughlinJ]

You will not be disappointed my friend!

[@fishiemon64]

Merry Christmas to you and the Queen Scott, great video what about a carpentis chiclid for a 55gal

[@ScottMclaughlinJ]

I thought it might be on the large size but certainly fine for a 75. Ty so much for watching

[@checo5238]

That sale at Petco goes crazy, walked in without the thought of a tank, picked up a 75 at almost 55% off

[@ScottMclaughlinJ]

Absolutely! Can’t be the prices

[@davec1294]

I love the fish advice and also the humor lol

[@larrylegend545]

Blood parrot, blue acaras, peacock cichlids, certain Texas cichlids are all good for 55. But I like your suggestions, definitely gotta have a dempsey

[@thinkinsidetheboxsquarecir3303]

You're a funny, dude .. I saw that!😆👍🏽 Subbed! Btw, I picked up a 1inch jaguar to eventually rule over my 90 gallon 4inch juvenileJack Dempsey tank😈

[@brucecroft9262]

Thanks Scott great information great video always fun to watch you and Liz do a video Merry Christmas to both of you stay safe

[@danielcarlton3553]

It is Aquamains. I bought a 180 tank from them. It was on West Market Street in Greensboro. The owner decided to get out of the business. I was told he had other business venture interests

[@VetAquatics]

Great suggestions Scott. You must not have seen my angelfish tank 😏

[@ScottMclaughlinJ]

I need to come see your entire fish room. Ty for coming through Brother

[@VetAquatics]

@@ScottMclaughlinJ just let me know when your free and your welcome to come down.

[@thedon219]

Petcos only do dollar per gallon up to 40gal near me. But I absolutely love this video!!!

[@dianneatta3690]

Omg I worked at Aquamain ‘90/‘91. I was only the stock girl but I did it to feed my hobby :)

[@darthblunt3833]

Great vid man!!! I want them all!!!

[@ScottMclaughlinJ]

Love the name! You a Star Wars fan too?

[@darthblunt3833]

@@ScottMclaughlinJ yes sir I love Star Wars!!! My mom took me to see the original Star Wars at the drive in when it first came out. (I know I'm old) When I saw Vader do that sith choke for the first-time it was over for me, DarthBlunt was born

[@zeninsyt]

Good choices ... I have kept the Green Terror ... an awesome fish :)

[@ScottMclaughlinJ]

Yes a great fish and beautiful. As always thanks for the support

[@hummingbird3771]

New to the channel. Came for the fish, but stayed after the Thriller reference, lol!!

[@andreashessler838]

This is a great video. Thanks for the content.

[@hambonemybone]

i would absolutely kill for my firemouth, he’s still only about 3 months old and maybe 1 1/2 inches long but his name is hades and i’m so in love with him. he’s the most personable fish i’ve ever had and is truly my best friend. my last firemouth was very grumpy and loved hiding but my hades is all over the place, always begging for food, and for attention. he even comes up to the glass when i rub my finger on it to say hello! i 100% recommend them, very sweet babies

[@Till0629]

My convict is very aggressive, I had to remove him to his own tank. The firemouth I have is a very docile guy. I also had a Jack Dempsey that I loved. Great list of fish.

[@danielcarlton3553]

Aquamain was on West Market Street in Greensboro, NC. Yes they are no longer in business.

[@drewsta005]

Awesome video! Great choices (even the sevrums lol) I have all these and the JD is my all time favorite

[@TexasRed649]

One of my 55s has baby convict, firemouth, and Jack dempsey growing out in it.

[@cat_family369]

Nice video keep it up new friend here 😊👍

[@tomtheguy8467]

I just got a 55 Gallon, I have a male convict in there now, was thinking about adding a firemouth and a Jack Dempsey… what do you think of the three together?

[@taraelliott5676]

Convicts are usually mean, I’d say they would have to be the same size, and move the tank around so that the convict doesn’t have a territory cause that could be bad

[@danaquatics4031]

If they grow up together, it might work otherwise it could be a bloodbath.

[@davidbowman2501]

I would have had put the Salvini on that list. Gorgeous fish!

[@alishanas9380]

Gymnogeos, Ivanacara, dwarf pikes are also great for 55s

[@ScottMclaughlinJ]

You are right on all accounts. Love the dwarf pike suggestion

[@jwjiv1]

What are your recommendations for a 6 ft 125 gallon? This is the first "big" tank for a lot of people. Big enough for a lot of options but still not quite big enough for some of the fish you keep.

[@invaderjoshua6280]

Discus, Altum Angels, and Geophagus Hecklii. With bristlenose plecos.

[@Ramg66]

Thanks, love the list. BTW you have a beautiful wife!

[@jeroenverzijl8596]

Severums i started my cichlids hoby, that is a good starter fish and nice to

[@JarheadSixRides]

Cool video. Thanks

[@themattman1173]

I have a baby Jack Dempsey and a 55 gallon tank for him when he is a little bit bigger. Love the Jack Dempsey my favorite fish. I also have a Harley Quinn cichlid al most full grown. I'm thinking of doing a indoor pound for him. I am having trouble with tank mates for him. Any suggestions for the Harlequin cichlid or Red terror?

[@carlcummings767]

Love your channel!

[@reignmans]

I didnt expect you'd let out of the list the Texas or the Salvinis.

[@kenpachimuay5627]

Kool moved my 14in dovii to a 180g from a 75g and was looking for option to fill my 75g. Was looking at flowerhorn, Jaguars, was thinking getting 2 pair of convict to breed and feed my dovii. But now the grammode caught my attention

[@bigfishlad4847]

I have been considering a pair of Grammode 👍 great update

[@ScottMclaughlinJ]

You will love the grammode such a cool fish

[@romeotheflowerhorn7676]

Dad has me in a 40 gallon breeder now but I will be moving into a 75 soon....

[@millefolium9303]

Great story, how old were you when you wanted the 55 gallon for christmas?

[@darrellburks410]

Good stuff right here.

[@vidili68]

Hi there In separate tanks I had to check Dempsey angel fish albino catfish Oscar

[@amx1820]

Awesome choice🤘🏼

[@calebsunder]

Salvinis would also be a good fish for a 55. Tonnes of color and pretty aggressive and personable.

[@ScottMclaughlinJ]

Yes yes! Great choice they are beautiful!!

[@1993reefblue]

I agree with everything on the list but jacks and GT's. A 75 would be much better for those 2 IMO.

[@vargas2898]

Salvini are also a great choice

[@ScottMclaughlinJ]

GREAT SUGGESTION. Love them!!!

[@Qyngali]

I was about to suggest that haha. This was a nice list! Ok so Angels are off, but how about the Altums? Bigger and more rare, at least here. But of course, to a regular person they just look like a regular Scalare.

[@torringames]

If only we could post clips in the comments. I'd show you my brothers friend's 12 inch Jack's that are similarly sized to a full grown oscar. This tank is a 300 gallon with 3 jack dempsey an Oscar and a wolf fish. Jack's don't commonly exceed 10 inches but I'd still house them in a 75 if I keep other fish with them

[@jamie3499]

Great video, one thing though, amphilophus and parachromis are both examples of a genus, not species😊

[@ilieemilianbucur7691]

my friend i did put all this 10 fish in my tank is a mad house i have a lot of decor and roots and i have some giant danios as funa ditter fish but is a madhouse corners taken over :))) sow much

[@princetrophies]

Hey guys! What is the fish in Liz's tank. It looks like a black colored acara?

[@klk6266]

Hello mate.Congrats for the lovely channel.Would you please help me with advice? Do you think that I can keep Red tiger mota pair in 100 gallon tank ?Thanks.

[@keith5524]

I have a pair of blue rams in my 55 male and female but they CAN NOT stop fighting. The male is SUPER aggressive and the female typically just defends herself or take it. Is there anything I can do to stop the aggression?

[@caseymcdowell1025]

Can you put a green terra and Jaguars cichlids together and a dovi

[@mikej2310]

Was that a blue scars in Liz's angel tank? I love mine, unfortunately lost one. Haven't seen any natural color ones in the area lately.

[@jtfalkner]

I have a Convict, Firemouth, and an Electric Blue Acara in a 55 gallon with a rainbowl shark and a couple Bolivian Rams. All are juvenile currently. I run two 75 gallon sponge filters ran with air and a fluval 207 canister. Would a single Jack Dempsey be too much when tank matures?

[@Cichlid_4_ever]

Seen you keep a lot of predatory fish need some advice. When is the best time to try to introduce a fish I keep South American cichlids jacks, green terrors and firemouths and have a female red devil I want to add to the family but super nervous cause of her temperament but they’re all still juveniles. Only about 1-2” in size. Is it better to introduce them younger or wait till their personality develops more ?

[@invaderjoshua6280]

Mine would be… 1.Discus, 2.Severums, 3.Geophagus Hecklii, 4.Uaru, 5.Altum Angelfish. A close contestant for number 5 for me was either the Oscar “to big for a 55”, Geophagus Tapajos, True Parrot “to big for a 55”, Non Electric Blue Acara, or Green Terror. As you can tell I’m a bit of a Orinoco, Amazon Basin nut.

[@michaelharrity9795]

Scott what filter should I use in my 55gal

[@ScottMclaughlinJ]

If you are ok with the look I’d always go sponge. Thanks for watching

[@michaelharrity9795]

@@ScottMclaughlinJ ok what size

[@wellhung5929]

@@michaelharrity9795 tidal 75 plus a sponge filter trust me

[@MiracleChips]

You sent a set off whiskey glasses to someone in East Tennessee. They got delivered to me by accident. Please reach out so I can deliver them to the proper recipient.

[@MiracleChips]

I messaged your IG and FB pages.

[@ScottMclaughlinJ]

They were for Rack Cross

[@canisteovalleydave]

1982 I was a junior in HS

[@dwillhight]

Did you say a 55 is big enough for a pair of Jack Dempsey fish? I always heard one.

[@Isaiah-hy2xf]

So out of the top 5 and except the gromodas.. you can have a pair of each of the other cichlids and they will all do well together in a 55 gallon? I have pea gravel, is that ok?

[@kelvinjohnson5531]

It was called Aquamains. That was my favorite fish store. Don't know why they closed.

[@eddiejeffers2783]

Was that in Greensboro?

[@kelvinjohnson5531]

@@eddiejeffers2783 yes

[@shashankpakhare8930]

Can I put 1 fire mouth, 1 jack Dempsey, 1 green terror and 2 Oscar fish in 3.25ft x 1.5ft x 1.5ft tank? Will there be any compatibility issues if all are male?

[@shanejones578]

My buddies convicts REKT his firemouths lol

[@andyreminch6550]

Never in my life seen a 7in convict!

[@liquidbrickle]

Look up colossalsis and bride on KZbin. Absolute tanks of convicts

[@Pittsburgh-412]

The convict cichlid will be very aggressive when the have fry. They will have babies without question but make sure you have hardy fish with them or they will die. Plus I found it difficult to add new fish to a convict colony because they are bullies. Jack Dempsey can be a good tank mate

[@nedhead1972]

Just literally removed about 400 convict fry & the only fish they've not terrorizing is the jack dempsey

[@liamwalters5029]

I’d go for a pair of neets there a fantastic fish and a 55 would be perfect for them !

[@preciouslittlelambsrebornn4639]

I was told you can only have one jack dempsey in a 55 gallon? Will my one flowerhorn outgrow ny 75 gallon?

[@klipzgod1503]

I got two convict to day but my electric blue jack Dempsey is chasing them idk what to do

[@WeHateSpurs-_-]

I have a 55galon tank but it’s a cube shaped tank NOT a rectangular shape. Does this matter?

[@jeromesimon8916]

The green terror in his eyes at 7:28

[@familytreemedia5581]

I can put all of these in there at once right?.. I plan on setting up real soon. Thanks to anyone who answers.

[@PlatinumWalkthroughs1]

You need to cycle the tank first and then add a couple of fish in at time because the ammonia can spike if too many new fish are added at the same time and let the filter get use to the bio load before adding more. Hope everything works out good

[@CasualAquatics]

At what size should I move my jag 55gal to my Oscar tank 140gsl. Jags 43-5in

[@AntonioCastro-ws8uk]

Wow you have a pretty young looking wife your a lucky man

[@jameskarras9314]

is there a way to keep multiple american cichlids in a 55 gallon tank withoutnthe fish killing each other? Maybe overcrowd like african cichlids?

[@toxichris]

are there american cichlids i can keep in a 40 gallon breeder? like a wet pet tank?

[@tonyslicer7399]

Had Dovii since juvi grew 12inches but 55gal was way to small for him but as juvi he killed our adult jaguar and hoplias wolf fish like 20 yrs ago