Ok, I have recently gotten back into the hobby and after a brief bout of mts i decided to get some cichlids. I have had 10 small mixed africans in my 55 gallon tank for a while now and they seem happy as clams. Is that too many? Is there enough room for more? When you buy small mixed african cichlids, what type of cichlids does that usually include? Sorry for all the questions but I figured you guys and gals mould know better then myself. And if this helps, I'm going to be looking into making a nice rock formation this week for them to flit in and out of as they grow, any sugestions for stackable stones? Thanks in advance.
Mixed Africans
- Thread starter CoronaFan023
- Start date
You could prob. go to about 12....thats what i would do, but 10-12 is a good number i think. "Mixed Africans" usually include Mbuna. Lake malawi Mbunas. Sometimes you will find a Peacock Cichlid or Hap in the Mixed tank, but its mainly Mbuna. In a Mbuna tank i think its better to overstock to pan out the aggression. Just how it is in the lake itself. Slate is a good stackable stone.
Well the guy at the store told me they should be overstocked to slim down on aggression. I dont really want to test that theory though unless other people reinforce it. I wouldn't mind putting some more of these beauties in there
if it cuts down on the fighting. It said 6" on the sign but some people have told me differently, upto 9" which i thought seemed high.
if it cuts down on the fighting. It said 6" on the sign but some people have told me differently, upto 9" which i thought seemed high.2 http://www.cichlid-forum.com/photogallery/images/May_estherae_14.jpg
4 http://www.cichlid-forum.com/photogallery/images/May_estherae_15.jpg but one has black fins
1 http://www.cichlid-forum.com/photogallery/images/Mel_johannii_06.jpg
3 http://www.cichlid-forum.com/photogallery/images/May_crabro_01.jpg
I got all those images off of an index on www.cichlid-forum.com .They all look pretty much exactly like the pictures unless otherwise noted. I' love them already
4 http://www.cichlid-forum.com/photogallery/images/May_estherae_15.jpg but one has black fins
1 http://www.cichlid-forum.com/photogallery/images/Mel_johannii_06.jpg
3 http://www.cichlid-forum.com/photogallery/images/May_crabro_01.jpg
I got all those images off of an index on www.cichlid-forum.com .They all look pretty much exactly like the pictures unless otherwise noted. I' love them already
Adding two more would be ok. African cichlids tend to "dig" when they want to lay eggs, or put out territories tho one of mine dug a nice home. So it's good to leave some open spaces for them to dig. Also they tend to dig with their mouths, so not sure if sand is a good choice or not(don't want them swallowing sand). Feeding them "spinula" food is good.
The links are dead - but that's ok......sounds like Mbuna. 5 to 6 inches max. Yes - get another couple - those guys are complete headbangers, and are always chasing each other about, so you need to spread that behaviour or one or two of them will bear the brunt of it and get stressed out.
Make sure there are enough things in the tank for them to scoot behind to break up a chase, but also provide open swimming areas. They probably won't be too worried about territory in a tank that size unless they start thinking about breeding (which is unlikey to happen due to the crowd, but they may still stake out a corner)
Sand is fine - they suck it in and spit it out - it wont hurt them at all. live plants will get ripped to shreds, so forget that - rocks and silk/plastic plants are all that will survive in there.
It's going to be a busy (chaotic) tank, but if that's your bag then sit back and enjoy the show
Make sure there are enough things in the tank for them to scoot behind to break up a chase, but also provide open swimming areas. They probably won't be too worried about territory in a tank that size unless they start thinking about breeding (which is unlikey to happen due to the crowd, but they may still stake out a corner)
Sand is fine - they suck it in and spit it out - it wont hurt them at all. live plants will get ripped to shreds, so forget that - rocks and silk/plastic plants are all that will survive in there.
It's going to be a busy (chaotic) tank, but if that's your bag then sit back and enjoy the show
Do they only act aggressive as they grow? Right now mine all kinda just swim with each other and show no signs of aggression. They are 3/4 of an inch to an 1.5 inches in size. As for fliltration I have 2 Penguin biowheel 330 filters in there. I have a few amazonian looking silk plants in there and a rock with a hole in it and a 3 holed peice of driftwood. This week I'm going to look into making a rock formation for them to hide in and around. One last ?, about how long will they take to grow to there full size? Thanks for all the info guys and gals
I have about 75 in my 100 gal tall - average about 3-4 inches with no problems. When I only had about 30, they were far more territorial and aggressive. Now, they sometimes school. I also have a lot of hiding places - fake caves, actual rock & - yes - plants. The tank would make a cichlid purist scream - but it pleases me and the fish are very healthy & active. Draw your own conclusions.
