Anyone keep a cichlid pond? (Miami, Port Charlotte: home, art, buy)

[Valea]

Hi
I am going to build a back yard pond . I was thinking of cichlids as dont like koi .
The "chilly" days in winter are a concern .Anyone keep a pond with cichlids or other warm water fish?


Thanks

[outsider1]

What kind do you want to keep? Hardier Central American(particularly Mexican) ones, such as cichlasoma mecca, probably won't be bothered by the drop in temperature. Along with meccas and South American oscars should do all right too, these days they live in the wild as far north as Ft. Myers and even Port Charlotte.
Also research African cichlids for around northern Nile area as well as from African great lakes. But the ones from African equatorial rivers won't be a good choice as they much prefer at least 75F or above.

[sunrico90]

Originally Posted by Valea

Hi
I am going to build a back yard pond . I was thinking of cichlids as dont like koi .
The "chilly" days in winter are a concern .Anyone keep a pond with cichlids or other warm water fish?


Thanks

Visit the the following site and ask: Welcome to Verse914.com

[HGONZ001]

I don't think cyclids would have a problem in an outside pond in SoFl. Although the night temperatures might go down to the 40's a couple of nights a year, it usually warms up to the mid 70's in the afternoon. It would take several days of extreme cold to harm your fish. Besides, the sun always comes out in Miami, and that should be enough to keep the temperature of your pond warm enough. Happy Bubbles!!!

[canekitty]

hello,
i have a 10' x 15' pond with cichlids & koi - no problem together when it's that large. the cichlids like rocks & such to hide in. they have babies all the time... i have mollies too, which multiply everyday, lol - the koi have grown to be about 2 ft. and do not bother the little guys as long as they have room.
good luck - invest in a good filter!

[Valea]

Originally Posted by canekitty

hello,
i have a 10' x 15' pond with cichlids & koi - no problem together when it's that large. the cichlids like rocks & such to hide in. they have babies all the time... i have mollies too, which multiply everyday, lol - the koi have grown to be about 2 ft. and do not bother the little guys as long as they have room.
good luck - invest in a good filter!

I apologize for not reading this till today I didnt hit the reply notice on this must have forgotten.
You know I was thinking of mollies as saw real nice ones in pet store . I was thinking of large mollies because my pond is tiny its the large pre fabricated model in home depot . Overall 200 gallons which as you know compared to yours is tiny.
its in a shaded area in yard with bamboo and few lilies after the plants take off (so far so good) might go with mollies instead of my original yellow Malawi cichlids (yellow labs)
I have a filter/water fall and again pond is 3/4 shaded so no green water YET lol but than again no fish either.
What cichlids do you have?

Thanks

[Valea]

Originally Posted by outsider1

What kind do you want to keep? Hardier Central American(particularly Mexican) ones, such as cichlasoma mecca, probably won't be bothered by the drop in temperature. Along with meccas and South American oscars should do all right too, these days they live in the wild as far north as Ft. Myers and even Port Charlotte.
Also research African cichlids for around northern Nile area as well as from African great lakes. But the ones from African equatorial rivers won't be a good choice as they much prefer at least 75F or above.

Sorry for not getting back sooner as forgot to mark off notify of replies . I was planning on yellow Malaw cichlids type called Electric yellow. I bought the "pond' instead of having it made its tiny its only 2oo gallons and though buried in ground its still only 200 gallons
I might opt for mollies as they seem hardier but not sure. I am waiting for plants to take off they are growing but wanted to wait till bit more plant growth .
Temp so far has been mid/high 70s even with low 60s at night

thanks

[Valea]

Originally Posted by HGONZ001

I don't think cyclids would have a problem in an outside pond in SoFl. Although the night temperatures might go down to the 40's a couple of nights a year, it usually warms up to the mid 70's in the afternoon. It would take several days of extreme cold to harm your fish. Besides, the sun always comes out in Miami, and that should be enough to keep the temperature of your pond warm enough. Happy Bubbles!!!

Sorry for not responding till today. The pond has been at steady mid/high 70s even with cool spell of low 60s but now back to normal. No fish yet but have seen treefrogs sadly not the greens I love but the olive brown types which are welcomed to though prefer Greens.
I might go with mollies as "pond" is tiny its only 200 gallons with seperate waterfall with built in filter which arrived 3 days ago

Thanks

[Valea]

Originally Posted by sunrico90

Visit the the following site and ask: Welcome to Verse914.com

Sorry for not responding till now, Great site to bad this gem Verse914.com

Is more of an inside fish it must look unreal in a tank . Its a tiny pond its only 200 gallons I opted to buy it pre fabricated its round and had it placed in ground .
I was leaning towards yellow "labs" as the pond is black and like them would think 4 for that size pond would be fine as site saids 2 for 55 gallons granted 10 gallons to short.
I have bamboo and water lilies set up they are growing now . Might go with mollies not sure yet since its a tiny "pond" compared to a real pond. The waterfall filter adds another 20 gallons .

Going on the site now to look at all of them

Thank you

[reyesitocriollo]

Originally Posted by Valea

Hi
I am going to build a back yard pond . I was thinking of cichlids as dont like koi .
The "chilly" days in winter are a concern .Anyone keep a pond with cichlids or other warm water fish?


Thanks

i have a 16 feet by 17 feet and around 4 feet deep koi and african cichlid pond in Miami. I lost 2 africans this past week with the temps dropping down to the 30s.
besides that losss, they are great. get along peerfectly well.