Tanganyika cichlid recommendation?

[TaffyFish]

I am looking for a recommendation for suitable African (Lake Tanganyika?) cichlid tankmates for a 6" syno angelicus and a dozen congo tetras in a 48x15x18 tank, pH 7.8-8.2, gH 10, temp 77F. There's a decent current from the Eheim spray bar at one end, black sand substrate with slate rocks and mopani wood. A few plants - amazon sword, java fern, anubias nana and crypto wendtii.
Any ideas?

 

[SoulFish]

hmm, 10-12 Cyprichromis leptosoma "Utinta" , pair of julies, 6 leleupi, some compressiceps or calvus, id get rid of the congos and put the cyps in their place

 

[Paul]

I agree with soulfish. Dump the congos.

 

[TaffyFish]

Thanks very much, both, would you care to give me some reasoning behind this? I'd like to understand your suggestion.

 

[SoulFish]

congos are riverine and should have soft water and low pH, while tangs require very hard water with high pH

 

[TaffyFish]

OK, cheers for that. I've done a couple of quick searches, as a cichlid novice, and have some more queries.
1. Wouldn't the cyps just be a sardine supper for the nocturnal syno, I mean aren't I likely to find one less every morning?
2. "julies" would be Julidochromis right? Any in particular or would they all be suitable?
3. Would this size of tank really take 6 leleupi as well as a dozen cyps and a pair of compressiceps or are these alternatives?
4. If answer to 3 is all of them, should I introduce them gradually and in what order?
Appreciate you taking the time.

 

[SoulFish]

you should fishless cycle so you can add all the fish in at once, it will go fast since its alreayd an established tank, this way you can add all at once, cyps would be fine with synodontis, any kind of julies but only a pair (may want to get like 6 and when one pairs up get the others out), you could keep all in teh tank

 

[TaffyFish]

thanks again Soulfish.
I am fishless cycling at the minute and am re-energised with the change of plan. cheers!

 

[SoulFish]

good luck, it will be a beautiful tank, youll also want to set your tank up for the different fish in the tank, open swimming area for the cyps and rocky areas for the julies and leleupi, then open/rocky for the calvus,id have rockwork on both sides with open area in center

 

[TaffyFish]

latest thoughts?! drop the angelicus (even though I've put a deposit down) and go for 3 or 4 smaller syno. multipunctatus instead. Got some great info on biotope set up (I'm pretty close actually already) from tanganyikan-cichlids.co.uk

 

[SoulFish]

wouldnt do more then 1 multi, they get larger, instead get 4-6 synodontis petricola