Hi I am new to the forum and would like some advice on setting up a cichlid tank. I have always admired these fish but have never had the tank space to do them justice. I recently got a 75 gal aquarium and I feel like I am ready to give it a try, problem is, I don't know that much about them other than just general info becuase community tanks have always been my thing but I want to do something different this time. I know that they have different requirements and I have been to several websites and ordered a couple of books so I can start researching before I do anything but in the meantime I want to hear what you guys think. I am not sure if I want Africans or Amazons. I would like to have several different kinds, maybe some bigger than others and also some Angelfish although I would be willing to forgo these if it doesn't work out. What are some colorful cichlids or some with "good" personality that would be suitable for beginner? Is there anything in particular that I need to be aware of? And also could you give me common names because the lfs doesn't list the scientific names on the tanks. Thanks.
Setting up a cichlid tank...
- Thread starter KeepingTheBeat
- Start date
a 75 would be great for:
a malawian mbuna tank - lots of color as steve-o said
a malawian peacock/hap tank - brilliant colors!
a tanganyikan community - maybe less colors, but awesome behavior to watch. I would recommend going this way, only because that's my plan for my next tank. Mix it up with some calvus, compressiceps, cyprochromis, julidochromis, rockdwelling lamprologines and shellies -or- go for a tropheus species tank
with angels you could choose a couple pairs of dwarf cichlid and throw in some tetras and catfish *thumbsups
or, since you have some experience under your belt at fishkeeping, try some discus
a malawian mbuna tank - lots of color as steve-o said
a malawian peacock/hap tank - brilliant colors!
a tanganyikan community - maybe less colors, but awesome behavior to watch. I would recommend going this way, only because that's my plan for my next tank. Mix it up with some calvus, compressiceps, cyprochromis, julidochromis, rockdwelling lamprologines and shellies -or- go for a tropheus species tank
with angels you could choose a couple pairs of dwarf cichlid and throw in some tetras and catfish *thumbsups
or, since you have some experience under your belt at fishkeeping, try some discus
Thanks for the input. Right now I have another window open searching for the names that you suggested and I am finding that there are alot of cichlids out there. I am now wondering how easy it would be to find exactly what I want, which btw I still don't have a clue. There are so many types of cichlids. There are even different types of different types ie lamprologines- lapidolamprogines, neolamprologines, I am starting to get a headache. Could you suggest some specific fish that can cohabitat? Some that you have had good luck with or know something about? That might give me an good idea of where to start. Thanks. I am starting to hear the call of the common molly it is saying please please please give me 74 gal more of water that I don't really need. And I have never seen a discus in person but I have read that they are really hard to take care of.
it is saying please please please give me 74 gal more of water that I don't really need. And I have never seen a discus in person but I have read that they are really hard to take care of.