Cichlids For A 30g Planted Tank?

[BrassMan]

Hi

I've just setup a 30 USG planted tank and I'm trying to find something interesting and colourful to stock it with. Originaly I was going to go with a big school of cardinals and a few corys but I keep thinking a few south american cichlids would be nice, maybe a couple of firemouths, but I've never kept cichlids before so I'm a bit in the dark.

Has anybody got any suggestions? I'll happily do a species tank if it makes sense, or something that could co-exist happily with a few smaller fish, i.e. cardinals, would also bee nice.

Tank specs...

30 USG , 80cm x 35 cm x 45 cm
Substrate - Eco Complete
A few rocks.
Loads of plants.
Eheim 2224 canister filter.

Edit: Forgot to mention, I live in a hard-water area, PH around 7.6.

Thanks,

Paul.

 

[xJake]

A pair of rams (Bolivian, German Blue, or German Gold) or a pair of angels would do well in a 30 gallon. I would suggest the Bolivian Rams for alkaline water such as yours as they're more hardy. Rams are peaceful and can go with smaller fish such as tetras and cories. Also, most angels do just fine in alkaline water. If you wanted to keep a firemouth you would probably only be able to keep 1 in such a small tank.

Edit:

In that link to the bolivian rams the picture makes them look kind of plain but they're actually really colorful.