Need ideas

[Sunny.C]

hey guys anyone have pic's of there cichlid tank???
what do you guys think about south american cichlid???

 

[Ben]

South American cichlids are New World Cichlids, and besides the few african river species, they cant mix with oLake Tang,Malawi and Victoria cichlids.


DD

 

[Sunny.C]

I am aware of that, i guess what i am asking is should i try out a southern setup???

 

[fish_r_great]

How big is your tank *edit* saw your other post 58 gallon? New worlds usually need a lot of room and I think a 55 is only a good home for a few. With Malawi Mbuna you can/should overstock the tank. I'd go with Mbuna.

 

[Ferris]

I'd second what fish_r_great said, you have an ideal tank for an Mbuna setup with loads of different options. As an alternative you could go with a mixed Aulonocara tank.

With NW cichlids you would be relatively limited with that tank size.

 

[Sunny.C]

I think i should stick to mbuna Any ideas on what to have in there and how many?

 

[Ferris]

I'd go with up to 15. You could go for 3 different species with 5 of each (1 male to 4 female ratio normally works well).

Alternatively you could try what i did and go for 1 of various species. This can be difficult with compatibility but makes for a great show tank.

Your best bet is to research some fish you like and post your suggestions here for some good advice.

 

[Sunny.C]

I don't mind labs,saulosi,Hongi,Afra Edwardi... Whats the fish you have on your post?

 

[Ferris]

Pseudotropheus Demasoni. Stunning fish but very very aggressive, they really need to be kept in a species tank or singularly with other very aggressive Mbuna.

All the fish you have specified are compatible, by Mbuna standards they are some of the less aggressive ones.

 

[modernhamlet]

I don't mind labs,saulosi,Hongi,Afra Edwardi... Whats the fish you have on your post?

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I keep both of these fish and wholeheartedly sing their praises:

Yellow Labs - Labidochromis caeruleus
A peaceful (by mbuna standards) and colorful tankmate. Gets along with everyone.

Afra Edwardi - Cynotilapia afra (Cobue)
Tough guy in a tiny package. Stay pretty small and get very attached to "their" cave. Dominant males are absolutely stunning fish. Females are brown/blue.

My only issue would be the yellow labs and hongi. They're both Labidochromis species and will tend to crossbreed.

Check out Pseudotropheus Acei too. They're among the least shy mbuna and actually tend to swim around in a shoal pretty often. Irridescent purple is a pretty good color to have swimming around too.

Other good possiblities: Iodotropheus sprengerae (mellow mbuna), Maylandia estherae (more aggressive, "king of the tank" material)

As Ferris said, 15 fish of 3 species is probably a good number.

You can read up on the above and other mbuna here: http/www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/category.php?cat=2

 

[fish_r_great]

There are also Pseudotropheus Long Pelvics which are pretty peaceful.

http/www.exotic-cichlids.com/P.%20sp.%20...lvic%20hara.htm

http/www.exotic-cichlids.com/P.%20Zebra%...vic%20Mdoka.htm

 

[Sunny.C]

thanks for the advise guys, i think firstly i need to get my coral sand & filter this weekend