want to start a cichlid tank
- Thread starter fishtankmaster5
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Well you got a choice to make first. 
South American/Central American or African. Once you figure out what type of cichlid you want then you can move on to stocking.
SA/CA cichlids prefer a planted type tank...real or plastic not sure it makes much difference while africans tend to live in the more rocky habitats.
Africans tend to generally do better in slightly overstocked tanks (spreads aggression) where as SA/CA cichlids really will do better with a few fish. Once reason is they form pairs, africans form breeding groups. And thats the way they live in the wild.
Maybe we can help, what are you really looking for? Color, activity, personality (most all cichlids have this), aggressive, simi-aggressive...etc?
South American/Central American or African. Once you figure out what type of cichlid you want then you can move on to stocking.SA/CA cichlids prefer a planted type tank...real or plastic not sure it makes much difference while africans tend to live in the more rocky habitats.
Africans tend to generally do better in slightly overstocked tanks (spreads aggression) where as SA/CA cichlids really will do better with a few fish. Once reason is they form pairs, africans form breeding groups. And thats the way they live in the wild.
Maybe we can help, what are you really looking for? Color, activity, personality (most all cichlids have this), aggressive, simi-aggressive...etc?
i want african, color does not matter but i was in my lfs and saw some really colorful one but they were just babies, and i heard that the average african can grow from 5" to 6.5", is that true, and if it is how many could i put in in my 55gal so the aggresion will be spread, and not just on one fish
i started my first african tank a few months ago; I went mixed lake malawi cichlids (mostly). If you're going african, you need to first pick a lake; either Tanganika or Malawi (these are the most common, most colorful). Species from either lake don't tend too mix well.
Once you pick a lake; you need to decide if you plan on making it a single species only (preferable for breeding; a friend of mine has bred a tankful of p. demasoni) or community lake. Word to the wise; it's a tricky balance mixing different cichlids EVEN if they come from the same lake; but I believe its do-able.
I won't go into any more detail seing as how you need to pick a lake first.
Once you pick a lake; you need to decide if you plan on making it a single species only (preferable for breeding; a friend of mine has bred a tankful of p. demasoni) or community lake. Word to the wise; it's a tricky balance mixing different cichlids EVEN if they come from the same lake; but I believe its do-able.
I won't go into any more detail seing as how you need to pick a lake first.
1, Pick your lake. It sounds like you're ready to for malawi and mbuna.
2. Research species. Lookf for fish that aren't too large or too psychotic, especially for a 55 which is not enormous. Electric yellows and so on. Learn the scientific names of what you want.
Never by mixed cichlids- do you want someone elses rubbish?
2. Research species. Lookf for fish that aren't too large or too psychotic, especially for a 55 which is not enormous. Electric yellows and so on. Learn the scientific names of what you want.
Never by mixed cichlids- do you want someone elses rubbish?
Well now that you've picked a lake (excellent choice btw) you need to do as Wayne suggested and start researching your fish. Yellow labs I find are the most non-aggressive malawi; very good for a community rift lake tank.
BTW I feel I need to supplement Wayne's warning about mixed cichlids; basically when you go to an LFS and they have a mixed tank; those fish are the cheapest in the lot 'cause they are bottom-of-the-barrel; leftovers. I strongly advise against purchasing from mixed tanks because the fish are almost always weaker and prone to death. Not always though; I've bought a few fish from mixed tanks that I still have to this day (my victorians).
Please, let us know what malawi cichlids you have your eye on. Another thing; dont base your pruchase criteria on what you see on the net or other peoples photos of what they stock. Why? Because you can only stock (in your tank) what your lfs has stocked. So no sense in looking at the care info for that beautiful frontosa if your LFS has never EVER carried frontosas.. hehe Some rift lake cichlids are very common though and you should have no trouble finding them at a reputable lfs.
BTW I feel I need to supplement Wayne's warning about mixed cichlids; basically when you go to an LFS and they have a mixed tank; those fish are the cheapest in the lot 'cause they are bottom-of-the-barrel; leftovers. I strongly advise against purchasing from mixed tanks because the fish are almost always weaker and prone to death. Not always though; I've bought a few fish from mixed tanks that I still have to this day (my victorians).
Please, let us know what malawi cichlids you have your eye on. Another thing; dont base your pruchase criteria on what you see on the net or other peoples photos of what they stock. Why? Because you can only stock (in your tank) what your lfs has stocked. So no sense in looking at the care info for that beautiful frontosa if your LFS has never EVER carried frontosas.. hehe Some rift lake cichlids are very common though and you should have no trouble finding them at a reputable lfs.
heh; well in general; you wont be able to keep too many species together. But I managed to get away with quite a few; BTW very important to note: I dont think you will find a single forum viewer here who would positively support my 65gal tank set up.
I swear my fish are all happy; but it takes a lot of work on my part; and a lot of rocks to break the line of sight/territories.
Yellow labidochromis is definetely something you want to stock. I would say keep the most number of these out of all the species you will chose.
I am having a lot of success with my P. Livingstoni; plus I like the marbled look fo teh fish. I have bought four and have never lost a single one.
I'm still debating whether I am the proud owner of a small (4) school of Johanni's or Demasoni's. This is a really pretty blue fish but most websites will tell you that they are aggressive. Come on now! What african (cichlid) isn't aggressive!?!?
P. Crabro (or bumblebee cichlid) is another pretty fish. Yellow on brown stripes. I have had mixed luck keeping these; I had bought 4 at one point; down to a breeding (hopefuly) pair.
DONT BUY P. DEMASONI UNLESS YOU PLAN ON MAKING A DEMASONI ONLY TANK!!! For the love of mike.. dont buy these guys... who's Mike?
My lone demasoni will on occasion scuffle with an electric blue johanni (rarely) cause they look somewhat alike in color patterns.. not really.. but like Wayne said; rift lakers that look the same will bother each other.
Rusty cichlids are pretty; I think I have one; but I'm waiting on a second opinion. All the zebra mbuna have all sorts of different color variants and they do well mixed. Dont buy your zebras from a mixed tank. They will likely die or cause death in your tank.
I hope I've been a help; and feel free to ask anything you want; always wiling to help someone whos joining the rift lake hype!
I swear my fish are all happy; but it takes a lot of work on my part; and a lot of rocks to break the line of sight/territories.
Yellow labidochromis is definetely something you want to stock. I would say keep the most number of these out of all the species you will chose.
I am having a lot of success with my P. Livingstoni; plus I like the marbled look fo teh fish. I have bought four and have never lost a single one.
I'm still debating whether I am the proud owner of a small (4) school of Johanni's or Demasoni's. This is a really pretty blue fish but most websites will tell you that they are aggressive. Come on now! What african (cichlid) isn't aggressive!?!?
P. Crabro (or bumblebee cichlid) is another pretty fish. Yellow on brown stripes. I have had mixed luck keeping these; I had bought 4 at one point; down to a breeding (hopefuly) pair.
DONT BUY P. DEMASONI UNLESS YOU PLAN ON MAKING A DEMASONI ONLY TANK!!! For the love of mike.. dont buy these guys... who's Mike?
My lone demasoni will on occasion scuffle with an electric blue johanni (rarely) cause they look somewhat alike in color patterns.. not really.. but like Wayne said; rift lakers that look the same will bother each other.
Rusty cichlids are pretty; I think I have one; but I'm waiting on a second opinion. All the zebra mbuna have all sorts of different color variants and they do well mixed. Dont buy your zebras from a mixed tank. They will likely die or cause death in your tank.
I hope I've been a help; and feel free to ask anything you want; always wiling to help someone whos joining the rift lake hype!
Mbuna to think carefully about before purchasing: Melanochromis Auratus, Melanochromis Chipokae, Metriaclima Lumbordoi a.k.a. Kenyi, any of the Melanochromis or Metriaclima really. They generally can be pretty nasty, some more than others, especially the ones I mentioned specifically. 12-15 is not too many to stock a 55g with, provided there is adequate filtration and rock work and you have a good mix. I have 19 Mbuna in my 55g and the aggression is almost nill. I really prefer Cynotilapia Afra or Pseudotropheus. Give Pseudotropheus sp. Acei a look, they are beautiful and quite "peaceful" for Africans. I try to do 1m-3f ratios. And mixing lakes, although taboo, can be quite easy and rewarding if you pick fish that are similar in diet and aggression. My Lfs currently has a tank with: 3 Altolamprologus Calvus, a Victorian Rock Krib, a Hap sp. 44, a Yellow Lab, a Blue Socolofi, 2 Julidochromis Ornatus, 1 Astatotilapia Burtoni, and 3 Cynotilapia Afra Jalo Reef. All 3 major lakes in one tank. Pretty unique and beautiful. It's all about what you decide on. Personally I prefer Tangs, Altolamprologines specifically.