Best Option Of Cichlids

[James9114]

So im thinking of going for the cichlid setup this time i have 240 tank with an area ph of around 7.5-8.2.
Not too clued up on cichlids as their are many. Basically need to know what would be the best type for my ph range, setup, and how many fish i could keep in this size aquarium. Any comments on all this would be great.

Thanks James

 

[Malawi MaD]

So im thinking of going for the cichlid setup this time i have 240 tank with an area ph of around 7.5-8.2.
Not too clued up on cichlids as their are many. Basically need to know what would be the best type for my ph range, setup, and how many fish i could keep in this size aquarium. Any comments on all this would be great.

Thanks James

If it was me I'd go for malawi's as the P.H range is ideal to keep them. Depends if you want Haps or mbuna though that's the question? For your size tank I'd recommend mbuna and depending on what species you like you could achieve easily 20 to 25 fish consisting of 3 to 5 species, ratio's of 1 M to 3 to 4 females .. That's kinda summing it up in a short way without babbling on to much lol.

 

[James9114]

thanks i'l have a look into them now and what kind of setup would you recommend? Can they all live together?

 

[Malawi MaD]

thanks i'l have a look into them now and what kind of setup would you recommend? Can they all live together?

Well to a certain extent yes, obviously some just cant be mixed due to aggression and the risk of hybridization. Most can though, so if you want to look into some species you like put a wish list on here and we will go from there see what can be with what and what cant.

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

Perfect for Steatocranus, aka Lionhead/Blockhead Cichlids.

 

[James9114]

thanks very much il av a good look now n get a list up

 

[James9114]

ok so i've not got anywhere haha, they are all really nice fish can i keep any plecs or catfish with these?

 

[Malawi MaD]

ok so i've not got anywhere haha, they are all really nice fish can i keep any plecs or catfish with these?

Haha, Right what about Pseudotropheus Saulosi? Both the males and females have beautiful colouration can keep more than one male in an aquarium (which is quite rare for mbuna)these are a dwarf species as well so they do stay relatively small around 3" to 4" fully grown. Thing is could be here all night naming species that could work well and could go together but if you can find any species at all (Iknow its hard to choose out of soo many) just try pick some any at all to get a base on where to start. The synodontis petricola's /bristle nose's work well with Malawi's also seen clown loaches with them to don't know how well this works mind you.

 

[James9114]

Melanochromis cyaneorhabdos
Pseudotropheus Acei

 

[Malawi MaD]

Melanochromis cyaneorhabdos
Pseudotropheus Acei

Pseudotropheus Acei are perfectly fine and nice fish too, would recommended a nice group of around 6. On the other hand Melanochromis cyaneorhabdos are the more aggressive Mbuna like most Melanochromis species and i wouldn't recommend to someone just starting out with them (not meaning to be awful) Just they can cause mayhem in your tank if the ratio's of M to F are wrong and your aquarium is not stocked correctly and aquascaped well to have plenty of places to retreat. So:

Pseudotropheus Acie
Pseudotropheus Saulosi

These 2 are a really good start if you do like the Saulosi?

 

[James9114]

Basically i won't a range of colours, say 4 of 4 different species and 2 brislenose, Does this sound okay? could i have more?

 

[James9114]

yeh there nice would that be 1 m 5 f? or more males then

 

[Malawi MaD]

Basically i won't a range of colours, say 4 of 4 different species and 2 brislenose, Does this sound okay? could i have more?

Id say you could have 4 species consisting of 6 fish in each group of species without a problem. As long as your filtration is upto scratch and your tank has enough rock work for the fish to breed and take cover in. What filtration you plan on using?

 

[James9114]

eheim ecco 300/350 or fluval 306/406 what would you say?
thanks for all of this aswell really appreciate it

 

[Malawi MaD]

Melanochromis cyaneorhabdos
Pseudotropheus Acei

Acei to are quite placid for mbuna so you could get away with having more than 1 Male. Its up to you though would you want 3 species with a larger numbers in each group or slightly less numbers but 4 species?.