I recently filled back up my 55 gallon and was wondering what i should get. I decided to get some african cichlids, i have kept them before but i want to know what you think i should get.

I like tangs, so I would suggest some Julies, or brichardi.

well, if you go w/mbuna, I'd say 16 fish. 4 groups of 4 species?? Look at your local lfs and tell us what you like and we can help w/compatiblity. Try to get scientific names.

I went to my lfs i was kinda rushed so i only got three scientific names. Here they are.
Pseudotropheus Lombardoi
Pseudotropheus acei
Labidochromis Caeruleus

Pseudotropheus Lombardoi-way to aggressive esp. for a 55 gallon
Pseudotropheus acei-gets to around 7" long, to big for a 55 gallon
Labidochromis Caeruleus- would be a good choice

Sorry kj but Acei and Lombardoi are both fine for a 55 gal - just reduce the stocking numbers. I've kept both species in 4 foot 55 gal tanks on various occasions over the years, sure they get bigger than most Mbuna but it's a simple case of keeping less of them.

okie dokey. I guess it's more personal preference for me. The "other" site also says to put Acei in if you want, but I don't advise it b/c of acei's size. If you go by the size, 55 gallons are 12" front to back and the fish gets half that size. I feel they should have more swimming room that a 75 gallon or bigger can provide since 75's are 18" front to back.

As for Kenyi, I've heard of nothing but aggression problems. That's why I advised against them.




p.s. Kenyis only get to 5" or so.

Im sorry guys but I am really with KJ on this one, I feel that the fish deserves more space then a 55 Gallon can provide when accounting for rock work etc.

A typical 55 gal is usually 15 or 18" deep so i don't see any problem for a fish that gets to 7" (more likely 6" in aquaria). I've kept fairly large shoals of P.Acei in 55's on a couple of occasions so i do speak from personal experience, which counts for much more IMO than researched info.

Personal opinions i completely agree with - can i just suggest that you make it clear that it is an opinion when posting, just stating it's not possible is a little harsh on beginners.

The aggression issue with Lombardoi - i agree with to some extent, although i would point out that they will react the same way in any size tank. More room does however mean more potential hiding places for other fish.

Maybe that's a difference too. All the 55's I've seen over here in the U.S. are only 12" deep(front to back). Maybe it's different across the other side of the pond.

Yea, I agree w/personal experience, to some extent, especially experience from a moderator. Research is always important, though. And my thoughts aren't based totally on what research says (or I wouldn't have objected to the acei), as there are sites/books that say go ahead w/acei in a small tank, of which I respectfully disagree with.


You're right I should've stated that I feel it shouldn't be done and state my reasons why.
Also say that it can be done.



Bigger tank= more hiding places and potentially more fish to help disperse the aggression. That's kinda what I was trying to get at.

Good discussion. I like it

Yeah that surprised me - i just don't get what the other dimensions would be if the depth was only 12". Are they really tall or 5 foot long or something?

48x15x18 is what i would normally expect for a 55USG.

And you're right it is a good discussion - would be damn boring if everyone agreed all the time.

Everyone loves a bit of drama

Melanochromis auratus?

Now you are really talking aggression - almost top of the table aggression in fact making P.Lombardoi look like Neons.

Not reccommended unless you fancy keeping just 1 fish in the 55 - these guys are just plain mean. Species only tank is a possibility but they don't like each other much either.

Im sorry but I disagree with this also Ferris , I have kept 3 of them and boy they are mean ####s, I only disagree with the Species only tank the rest is sport on. I kept 3 of these in a mixed mbuna tank (80gallons), and they left most other fish alone, they got rid of the tanks big daddy, and the dominant one hated the other auratas soo much it was unbelieveable. I really wouldnt keep them in a species only tank, only 1 in each tank imo.

Pseudotropheus estherae?

estherea will be fine. They are known to hybridize w/yellow labs. If you do keep both species it'd be best to not to try and raise babies outta those two.

My 55 gallon tank that I have is 48"x12.5"x21"



From what I've seen, that is standard here and is what manufacturers go by when making stands for them.