Cichlid Tanks?

[catherine896]

I'm getting a new tank soon and was thinking about doing a cichlid tank.

The tank is 409L (90 gallons)

I've kept community tanks before and I want to do something different and I quite like cichlids.

I would probably go for african cichlids as there seems to be alot more choice.

Ive read that these need to be kept in groups rather than pairs and that not too many species should be mixed in one tank. How many species would this tank be suitable for?

Also what other fish can go with cichlids? I like some of the larger cat fish.

Thanks alot.

 

[stang1]

Malawi Cichlids are best kept in groups of abot 3 females to 1 male, although sexing them at a young age can be quite difficult with some species.
We started out with groups of 6 in the hopes of getting a good ratio and thankfully, there seems to be a good balance.
As for how many species, it is difficult to say as people have differing opinions.
I have the following in my 5ft tank:

6 x Iodotropheus Sprengerae
3 x Pseudotropheus Gracillior
6 x Pseudotropheus Acei
5 x Tropheops "Red Fin"
3 x Cynotilapia Afra "Cobue"
6 x Metriaclima Estherae "OB"
6 x Pseudotropheus Acei "Black Ngara"

I know that I could probably get away with a few more but with the amount of breeding going on, the tank is stocking itself.
The only aggression is from the Pseudo. Gracillior as I could only get 3 and they are all male. I am hoping to add a few more females if I can find any and possibly remove at least one of the males.
As for catfish, have a look at some of the Synodontis species, beautiful fish and best kept in a group.
Do you know what Cichlids are available to you and are there any in particular that you like?

 

[catherine896]

Hiya, thanks for the reply

These are my first choices -

Pseudotropheus zebra (Cobalt Blue Zebra)
Pseudotropheus Acei (Yellow Tail Acei)
Cynotilapia Afra (Cobue)
Synodontis Multipunctatus (Cuckoo Catfish)


What do you think? How many of each would you recommend?

If room for more, is there any you would add?

Thanks alot.

 

[stang1]

You could either go for 6 of each in the hope of getting a good ratio of male to female or try 4 of each.
The Afra are quite easy to sex as the male is a lot more colourful and has more prominent stripes than the female.
I would avoid adding fish that are similar in appearance as this can lead to more aggression.
The Cobalt Blue Zebra are very similar to the Afra, so it may have to be one or the other.
You would still have room for at least another two species.

 

[aaronnorth]

you could have synondontis which is the most common used, or some have bristlenoses.

 

[catherine896]

Great, thanks alot for your help

Im sure I will be back soon with more questions lol.

Yeah I would be going with synondontis in there.

Thanks

 

[stang1]

Depending on what your PH is, I would avoid Plecs as the majority prefer a lower PH whilst Malawi Cichlids like a higher one.
I know many people keep them together but Synodontis are just as much fun and more suited to the set up.

 

[catherine896]

Thanks

What about this as a group -

Melanochromis Auratus (Malawi Goldens)
Pseudotropheus Acei (Yellow Tail Acei)
Cynotilapia Afra (Cobue)
Synodontis Multipunctatus (Cuckoo Catfish)


How would Electric Yellows do in this group?

Thanks!

 

[dthoffsett]

Thanks

What about this as a group -

Melanochromis Auratus (Malawi Goldens)
Pseudotropheus Acei (Yellow Tail Acei)
Cynotilapia Afra (Cobue)
Synodontis Multipunctatus (Cuckoo Catfish)


How would Electric Yellows do in this group?

Thanks!

I would avoid the m.auratus as they are one of the most aggressive mbuna in the trade and best kept in a species only tank if at all. The electric yellows (labidochromis caeruleus) however, would be quite happy in there, they tend to be shy when kept in small groups, so I'd get around 6, and don't worry about sex as multiple males usually get along.

 

[catherine896]

Thanks for the help

Shame about the M.Auratus as they are quite pretty.

Think I will go with the others for now though.

Thanks