FINALLY setting up my dream tank! stocking options?

[Anethil]

Ok so i finally broke down and bought a 30 gal tank kit for cheap from my work (after majorly buttering up my guy) and i'm working on setting up my tank i have wanted for such a long time! But i need some advice: I was thinking as a substrate using Black Tahitian Moon Sand, and shipping in some white Texas Lace Rock to show off a startling contrast (no planted tank, since i have had enough with just my little 10 planted). I was thinking of stocking cichlids, but i REALLY want to get a Synodontis Multipunctatus (cuckoo catfish) who do well in minimum 30 gal tanks from what i heard.. i have also done research and seen that they are compatible with cichlids. Now my questions are this: has anyone had experience with the sand or the cuckoo catfish? As well as cichlid stocking opinions would be greatly appreciated!

~Thanks!

 

[lauraf]

I have two multis - I've had them for about 14 months now. They spent the first couple of months hiding during the day, being very active only when the lights were out - now they swim around all hours of the day. I often see them upside down in their swim-through 'cave' (a terra cotta pot split in two). While they are known to display some aggression to their own kind and thus recommended to be kept in shoals or singly, I have only noticed my two 'mouth fighting' a handful of times and have never seen any sign of bodily damage. I do suspect them of eating several small tetras I tried to introduce to my tank, but can't be positive it was them. Otherwise they appear not to bother any of their tankmates . . ..
Yeah, I know how that sounded: "Other than occasionally eating his friends, Tommy appears to play well with others . . . ." lol

 

[nanu156]

I KEep ciChliDs AND REALLY LIKE AFRicAnS

most catFISh GO unnoticeD by CICHLIDS

i would suggest yellow labs, trewavasse, zeBRAs (ANY coLOR) AS GOOD STARTER FISH FOR A TANK YOUR SIZE THEY ARE ALsO MINimalLy agGressive For being CichlIDS

SHeLlIES, MUltIES, krIBS ARE ALSO aLL NICE CHOICES

I WOULD SUGGEST HEADING INto The fiSH sTORE LOoKING ArOUnD At WHAT yOu like then bringiNG YOUR FiSH SELectION HERE FOR MORE CONCISE ANSWERS

YOU DO NOT WANT THE FOLLOWING VARIETIES DUE TO AGGRESSION

BUMBLEBEE
JEWELS
KENYI
cHIPokE
arATUS
MalE jOhanis

I MEAN UNless YOU ARE READY WILLIng anD ABle TO watch the death matches that may play out iN YOUR Tank (cichlids fiGHT its what they do ITs a gAME TRYING TO FIND A TANK SET up that works)

IF YOU HAVe to have a jewel Go green anD nOT RED AS THE GReens TEND TO BE A TAd Bit nicer

peacocks aND HAPS ALSO ARE REALLY VIBRANT AND HAVE MINIMAL AGGRESSION ISSUES