African cichlids?

[huck]

Hi, I have a couple questions about african cichlids.  My tap water has a high pH  (8.1) , and I hear they like that...  and I want to try something new anyway...  So, could someone give me some specific examples of an african cichlid?  I mean, theres South american, ect..  What are your favorite african cichlids?  most colorful?  just list a few...

thanks

 

[Somonas]

There are plenty of african cichlids... all kinds.  8.1 is a great tapwater PH.

check out

http://www.africancichlids.net/index.html

http://www.malawicichlidhomepage.com/

http://malawicichlids.com/index.htm

 

[huck]

Hey, thanks, those are great sites, I didn't know there was so many!   And particular ones u guys recommend?  Maybe some I can keep in a 29 gallon and they wont outgrow it?

 

[Somonas]

A 29 is a bit small - you can choose some of the small labidochromis species...  take a look through those websites.   Anything else (pseudotropheus, haps, aulonocara, etc). will outgrow a 29 eventually.    the exception is the pseudotropheus lanisticola (otherwise known as maylandia livinstoni) is a shelldweller from lake malawi which remains under 3".  there are other small (under 3&quot africans but I don't know the names.

2 or 3 yellow labs, a few labidochromis jacobfribegi and a synodontus catfish would make a nice 29 gallon tank - perhaps a dwarf bristlenose instead - synos tend to get big (4&quot.    

Lots of rocks, a good powerfilter, and maybe some cichlid proof potted plants (small swords, vallisernia) would make a nice 29.  

The most common method to reduce aggression with african cichlids is to either overstock the tank, or provide 1 male for every 4 females of each species... which is why I suggest a 29 is a little on the small side.  but you COULD have 1 male from different species.....   downside to 1M/4F is they breed quite readilly and you might need more tanks in the near future

 

[keprydak]

I believe julies (Julidochromis) are from Africa. They're pretty small. Here are some sites:

http://www.petsforum.com/cichlidroom/articles/a060.html


http://www.fishindex.com/phpinfo//8/1-2//1303

http://www.fishindex.com/phpinfo//8/1-2//2986

http://www.cybercichlids.com/marly.htm

Also, shell dwellers are small and have interesting breeding habits (in a shell!)

http://www.fishindex.com/phpinfo//8/1-2//3031

hope that helps!

 

[Atlantic Fish]

I have a bunch of cichlids from the labidochromis species in my 35g and they are working out really well. They are a little aggressive with each other but only in a teratorial way, not in a killing sence. Id go with them since your tank like mine isnt that big. Good luck.
John