Stocking 55 Gallon With Cichlids

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loveforfhishies

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i have a 55 gallon community tank that is fully cycled.. and i want to move my community fish to my 20 gallon and stock my 55 gallon with cichlids.. i heard i need to put plenty of rocks and caves in there for my cichlids.. what types of cool lookin cicghlids can i get that will get along in my tank?
 
Well if your looking for cichlids of the african kind, then yes, most african set-up use lots of rocks piled high. But if you want New worlds, then you don't need piles of rocks. Most cichlids can go in a amazon bio-type with bogwood, a few scattered rocks, heavy planting with large-leaf variety plants. Of course though, most new worlds will go good in a lightly decorated tank as well. Though, for when they are young, alot of hiding places and what not for them to feel safe is good until they mature and have less fear. Many people keep oscars keep little to nothing in the tank as a) the oscar will rip most plants to shreds and are quite clumbsy and will run into alot of decorations, and B) makes it easier to clean-up after it.

New world cichlids are full of personality and a great companion such a dog or cat, but one that you will always know where it will be!
 
tbh I don't know about which new worlds you could have, but thought I'd better warn you no oscars IMO


maybe a JD or firemouth? Don't want to sound harsh but a 55 gallon isn't HUGE for new worlds
 
yeh im still somewhat a beginner.. i didint know oscars fell into the cichlid species.. is there any small cichlids you guys could suggest?
 
rams, apistos (many species) and I'm out lol

maybe one firemouth or one convict? the tank would be big enough for a pair but

a) fry are hard to get rid off, they are just not wanted

B) they take the entire tank when breeding - bit of a waste tbh


have you thought about angels?
 
for a 55G you can have a JD, or a GT, or a RT, or a sev. All of those alone with possibly some dither fish. Maybe could have a firemotuh in with them or a con or two (but not a pair, will take over whole tank).

I didnt mean to imply that oscars could be put into a 55G.... sorry if it came across that way. Just using them for an example that alot of decoration is not always necessary which goes for most all cichlids.
 
I would't put an oscar in a 55, they're pretty big fish IMHO

Yes..... I said they didnt belong in it. they need atleast 95G at the minimum and preferably 120G and up..... thank you for making your point though......


wooops sorry I read your post wrong, I thought you said 'couldn't' instead of 'could' - sorry
 
yeh i saw some baby convicts at my fish store today.. they are pretty cute fish. but you say only one of them otherwise they will rule all my other fish?


what does a bumble bee gobby fall under.. is that a community fish? he looks kinda unique.. kinda like a puffer almost..


so so far i have on my list to get is one convict.. how about a kenny?
 
You can have two females, but not two males (as they will most likely fight for territory) and not a breeding pair (as when the eggs are layed and the fry are young, the parents are very hostile towards any other fish in the tank because they are very protective of their young). But two females will work.

Bumble bee goby's are brackish water fish so would not work in a freshwater cichlid tank.

Maybe im ignorant for not knowing, but whats a kenny? scientific name?
 
I have a green terror in a 55. I bought it when I was pretty new keeping fish. But Im very glad I did. I would say get a green terror becouse IMO they build a very good owner to fish relationship. The only problem is he is very agressive and you cant put much in the tank with it. You should check out the fish index and reserch the dif fish and see what fits you best :good: But IMHO new world cichlids are the way to go.
 
im starting to stock my tank.. i emptyed it and did the whole tank over in rocks and made it a prime habbitat for cichlids.. so for i got a golden malwi, african kenyi, a convict, a firemouth, some sort of ram, i forgot its name its like bolinva ram or somethin,, and the last one i tottaly forgot its name.. when i go back to the store ill check them.. my LFS just got a whole shipment of cichlids in so im very exited.. they have a sunshine peacock wich i like alot.. would that be compatible with my other fish?

how is my stock looking so far.. is there any fish i should get a pair of or what?
 
heres a pic of a male "kenny"
IMG_0056.jpg

its a mbuna by the way.
 
im starting to stock my tank.. i emptyed it and did the whole tank over in rocks and made it a prime habbitat for cichlids.. so for i got a golden malwi, african kenyi, a convict, a firemouth, some sort of ram, i forgot its name its like bolinva ram or somethin,, and the last one i tottaly forgot its name.. when i go back to the store ill check them.. my LFS just got a whole shipment of cichlids in so im very exited.. they have a sunshine peacock wich i like alot.. would that be compatible with my other fish?

how is my stock looking so far.. is there any fish i should get a pair of or what?


You have a mix of African and New World in there, and they need completely different conditions. What's the pH of your tank? What kind of setup do you have? You need to pick either Africans OR New World, it's not good to keep both in the same tank.
 

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