New African Cichlid Tank?

[laxplayacs]

I want to keep some African Cichlid tank.. I don't know what lake I want to get it from, I want the most colorful and interesting fish. Can anyone help me through the process of finding a right combination of them? I have a 55 gallon tank and a lot of filtration, black gravel and a couple of rocks with a lots of caves and such in them. I have done some research but none of it seems really beginner friendly.

 

[Orion]

Most colorfull would be Lake's Malawi and Victoria. Most interesting, Tanganyika.

A 55 is a good tank to start with, as with either way you decide, you'll have a decent amount of fish that you can go with. Is there anything else that you can tell us what you'd like to see or accomplish so that we might be able to help narrow the field down some for you?

It can be overwhelming at times for someone new to the hobby with the lack of common names for all the species, but take your time and don't let simple things like a little bit of Latin scare you off from a great world of fish

 

[laxplayacs]

Really the main thing that I want to accomplish is to have fun with them. I was going to have a SA community tank, but I read an article on the Africans and thought that they would be a lot more interesting. The main thing with me is that I don't mind doing a lot of matenence as long as the fish are interesting. I tend to lag on my matenince when the fish start to be another thing in my room, instead of a pet. I do like cool looking fish (colorful) but a fish that does interesting things will hold my attention more than a pretty one, so I think I'll go with Tanganyika. I am a bit overwhelmed right now just because the latin is hard to remember, but I know with time I'll be able to recognize common species.

 

[laxplayacs]

Ok, I think that I have done enough research to make a rough guesss as too what fish to get. I got this of an article, but modified it for my tastes.

half a dozen Cyprichromis
some Neolamprologus multifasciatus
a paired Julidochromis
a paired Neolamprologus brichardi

Would having two spawning species be an issue? Or should I just stick with one or the other when it comes to the Juli's or the brichardi's.

 

[Orion]

I think you might end up with problems with a pair of brichardi in a community tank. Even a 55 gallon. You could try it, but if you did it wouldn't hurt to have a back up tank ready to move them into in case it doesn't work out. IMHO, they make great fish for a species only tank.

Really, most of the Neolamps are pretty rough when breeding, and the brichardi have been known to take this to the extreme. Not saying that it can't be done, but most of the time its a recipe for disaster.

If your going for the non-jumbo cyprichromis (Cyprichromis untinta), then I might think about bumping up the numbers. They seem to do better is larger groups as they are a bit skittish anyway.

The N. multifasciatus will probably be fine. Multies are a hardy fish, and quite fiesty for such a little fish. So long as enough rock work is given to the rock dwelling fish so that they will not try to take over the shells, they shouldn't harrass them too much.

Julies are some of the most entertaining fish I've ever seen. You should love these. I would try to get one of the dwarf species (ornatus, dickfeldi or transcriptus) if possible as I've heard that they are more mellow than the larger ones. (may want to check my spelling on the scientific names )

Having more than one spawn at the same time being successful is going to depend on a few things. One of the biggest is going to be the rockwork or decor in the tank. The more rocks, caves and other things that will break up the line of sight between where the fish might choose to breed the better. Also knowing your fish is going to help you in setting up the tank. Cyps are mouthbrooders that spawn in open water, so they don't need any caves for breeding, where the multies are going to need shells to be secure.

 

[laxplayacs]

what about this setup?
a dozen Cyprichromis uninta
some Neolamprologus multifasciatus
some transcriptus julies (I don't know how many I can get with the bioload)

Are there any other fish that would go well in this setup that anyone can think of? I want to get as many species that I can because I love to watch the interactions between species.

 

[Orion]

I might get 6 young julies and let them pair off on their own, and then remove the ones that haven't paired off.

Have you looked at either Altolamprologus calvus or compressiceps? From a visual standpoint, very different than the other fish mentioned. Juveniles can take a VERY long time to reach sexual maturity, so adults are rather high priced. But nothing wrong with getting youngin's and growing them out if your willing to wait a few years I think they are a very beautiful fish with some interesting personality of their own.

You could swap the multies out for another species of shell dweller if you wanted. But once you added the Alto's, I'd say you'll be pretty much maxed out. It's not so much an issue with bioload but with territory. But, I think that would make a very attractive community tank.

 

[exhumed07]

I'm verry pleased with my cichlids and they provide some behaviors that heep me interested. like watching them chase eachother away from certin teritories and watching my peter davis arrange his spot how he sees fit. I got a list of my fish (common names not latin) on the bottom of my post but good luck on whatever u choose.

 

[laxplayacs]

Have you looked at either Altolamprologus calvus or compressiceps? From a visual standpoint, very different than the other fish mentioned. Juveniles can take a VERY long time to reach sexual maturity, so adults are rather high priced. But nothing wrong with getting youngin's and growing them out if your willing to wait a few years I think they are a very beautiful fish with some interesting personality of their own.

Don't that Autolamps eat the shellies? I want the shellies just cuz fish in shells = awsome

 

[Orion]

I think that's more of a myth than fact. Sure, in a community tank your going to loose fry, can't help that. But that's were the majority of the risk is going to end, with the fry. An adult calvus could eat a female multie, but the multies are constantly on high alert for any threats.

Actually, the julies will be the bigger predators to the multie fry rather than the calvus or comps. You need to be prepared that in a tank as this the fry from any fish isn't going to be anywhere as high as it would be if they were in a species only tank. Some will be inevitably picked off. Some will most likely make it all the way to adulthood, just no where near the numbers that would in a non-community setting. Not trying to scare you off, just want to you to be prepared. Multies are prolific little critters anyway so even with a few in a community tank I doubt you'll have a problem getting a nice and healthy colony before too long.

And yes, fish in shells = awesome.

 

[laxplayacs]

Are the transcriptus julies more expensive than the other julies? I know that they tend to look cooler, but my lfs can only get them for 28 dollars a pop, and for a 15 year old student who just spent 30 bucks on halo 3, I don't have 100 bucks laying around to pair my fish off. Are most africans this much?

 

[Orion]

I'm not really sure about other julies, but most LFS's that I've ran across are always high on just about all Tanganyikan's. But that is a bit high.

You can often find much better prices if you are able to buy fish from people who breed them, or small online places that will ship. Shipping is expensive, so if you can find them within driving distance you'll be better. You can check on AquaBid.com - Sell or buy aquarium related equipment and fish in an auction format! as well. Shipping can be so-so depending on what method they ship. It can really pay off (literally) to take your time and find the fish when you can at a price you can afford. When I first bought multies, I bought over 20 for just a little over $30, when a LFS in TN has them priced at $20 each!

Also check out any local clubs. Chances are there might not be on in your town, but might be some fairly close. If they have a website it would be a good place to ask around to see who's breeding what or who might have some extra's.

Most Tanganyikans demand this premium price at LFS's because they aren't 'mainstream'. But not all fish from the rift lakes are that high at retail stores.

 

[laxplayacs]

Ok because I was definatly thinking in another direction when I heard that price... Thanks for all the help. By the way, with the autolamps, can I have a pair of them and a pair of julies, or would that be pushing the agression scale. Note that I don't really have to rock fixtures, just one very large one.

 

[Orion]

I'm not sure what you mean. Both the julies and Alto's are rock dwellers, and as such they are going to need plenty of caves and rocks to hide out in to feel secure. One large rock isn't going to cut it. Not only will this cause problems for them, but by default it will cause problems for the non-rock dwellers in the tank as well because the julies and Alto's will be more aggressive and more agitated due to lack of safe cover. I'm not saying that the entire tank bottom is going to need to be covered (though the fish wouldn't mind), but the proper habitat is going to need to be provided to allow these fish to grow and live semi-peacefully.

With enough territory, a pair of julies and Alto's should be no problem in a 55. (So long they don't try to spawn right next to each other). Keep in mind though that most Alto's for sale are juvies, and it can take close to 4-5 years for them to reach sexual maturity. And adult Alto's are on the pricey side anywhere you can find them.