still unsure

Question
Lynda,

I asked you a question a week or two about some guidance for my 55 gallon tank. The tank that will be densely planted and house a pleco in addition to whatever else I end up getting. I understand the overload of questions within my question, allow me to clarify.

I've done a fair bit of research and am still coming up with no answer. I've searched the internet far and wide trying to figure out what I can put in there to achieve my desired effect. I mentioned my fondness of green terrors but found they'll be too violent. The same with Dempseys and convicts. Blue Acaras are still one I'm curious about. At this point I'm no further along than I was in the beginning. I've found many fish that can't be housed in my tank but none that I know can.

So if you could just give me some suggestions of some South American cichlids that won't eat plants, won't kill my pleco, won't be overly aggressive to each other and that could exist in a group instead of a single pair I'd really appreciate it. At this point I just need any advice I can get because I can't seem to find answers on my own.

Answer
Hi Matthew,
I can tell you what fish you can put in your tank that might get along, but be aware that cichlids are cichlids, and sometimes do not accept each other.   However if you do not put them in pairs, and buy them small, you have a good chance of them getting along for life.   Some should be with one of their own, because they are timid.  (I am not talking about the green terror, convicts, red devils, or jack dempseys)  Those fish will always be wicked no matter what you try to do.
This is what I would put into this tank if you want a community tank.  

One Severum

One blue Acara

Two Keyhole Cichlids  (Keep these in two's because they are very timid, and one of the most peaceful cichlids.

two Curviceps......must be kept in two's because they are timid.

Four rainbow fish, any kind of rainbow, they are schooling fish.  If you go with the bosemani, you could put 6 in because they are smaller than the red rainbow.  I find that adding rainbows to a community tanks helps with keeping the fish quiet so to speak.

Six little cory catfish

Most cichlids do nibble on plants, you must give them spinach and boston salade now and then, and blanched frozen peas once a week.

Here is a list of fish that don't nibble on plants:

Aequidens Dorsigner
Keyhole
Agassiz Drawf Cichlid
Borelli Drawf Cichlid
Cuckatoo Drawf Cichlid
Rams
Angel fish
Maybe you would like to go with drawf cichlids...this is up to you.  Keep in mind that the drawfs are just as aggressive, and territorial as the bigger cichlids, and should have lots of hiding places.

I hope this helps
Lynda