What's the appeal of African cichlids?

[lordroad]

This is not a slam on Lake Malawi or Tanganyika cichlids or anybody who keeps them. Much the opposite. I'm just merely curious why so many seasoned hobbyists love them.

After my lackluster experience with kribensis (their colors never showed up and a pair never formed), African cichlids are kinda soured for me. Yeah, I know kribs are in a different league than the rift lake cichlids, but I can't help but see similarities at fish stores.

I've heard "assorted african cichlids" are the lowest form of crap of rift lake cichlids, hybrids and culls. And that's the only thing I've ever seen in stores. Honestly, other than yellow labs and the rare bright blue african cichlid, they are some of the most boring looking fish in stores.

For enthusiasts I ask, do you order your stock online? I assume they are much more colorful than what's found in stores. And the most important question, what appeals to you about African cichlids?

When I get my 220 gallon in 2007 I'm planning on turning it into a CA/SA (only SA fish which are now found in CA due to farming and what not) environment. Even as juvies the big new world cichlids like dempseys and green terrors look much more colorful than their african counterparts (at least at my local stores).

I've also heard frontosa cichlids are cool and a group would work in a 220 gallon. I've looked at pics and so far I like them a lot and 2007 or whenever I move and get this 220 tank is far away.

Anyway, I'd like to hear more about how people feel about rift lake cichlids and why you as hobbyists find them special and a cut above other cichlids.

 

[Cichlid-Man]

I'm a big fan of the Malawi cichlids. What appeals to me about them would have to be their activity level compared to that of the New World cichlids and infact....their color. I try and get as many of my fish "locally" (in a club or from someone i know) as i can because of the color. Basically put, the "mixed" african cichlids are just that....mixed. They have inbred and have been bred so much that their genes just don't support that wild type color anymore. Private breeders know this and that is why they first of all stick to one species and secondly breed back into the lines and to wilds to keep the genes strong. Even most yellow labs in the stores look drab compared to their wild cousins.

In my opinion and experiences, all the new world cichlids i have ever kept have been quite boring. They don't really do much compared to Africans. Plus most are more drab in color. Africans hardly ever stop moving. Its a constant battle to defend territory and mate and they display it.

The tangs do lake the color, but they make up for it in personality. (Don't get me wrong there are some "Jewels of the rift") I wouldn't say its like the New World cichlids that are supposdly the dogs of the aquarium, but its more of a natural kind of personality that catches our eyes.

Frontosas are a very cool fish. They can match the size of New Worls, yet they have a very distinctive color pattern that will just glow in a tank with just the right lights on it. Very cool effect. These big guys just seem to lurk around gracefully....i love watching them. With a 220gal you could quite a NICE sized colony.

Ever seen a group of Peacocks or Haps breed? Its quite a sight. Some of the males alone put JD's and Green Terrors to shame.


Its all about the source of fish. If you start with crap you will mostly likely end up with crap. Go to a breeder and you will see the level of quality over fish stores. Their prices are alot of times Much better then the fish store...for better quality.

These of course are just some of my former cichlids, there are bigger and brighter ones out there...let me know and i'll show them to you. I am still deciding on ordering some from a local guy...just not sure if i want to spend the money right now...amazing fish and if i get them i'll be sure to post pics.

 

[oscarowner559]

( Hey C-man, that last peacock you showed is one of the kinds I have..)
I like the colors, personality, and activeness myself. But nothing compares to the very cool way that mbuna cichlids breed. To see these fish breed is somewhat like getting a brand new tank for free. (that is an excitement comparison). Anyways, dont go to petsmart or wal-mart, go to a good lfs near you, or order online from a close source..

 

[Orion]

You can't grow a rose out of a sewer. You really get what you pay for, so if your getting great deal, there may be a reason for it. Don't skimp when it comes to stock. You invest some money now, and they can and will reward you for years to come.

Watching a fish no larger than an inch defend, quite sucessfully, it's teritory from a fish 4 times as large is a site to behold. The spunk and activity of them is nearly unmatched.

The behaviour and breeding habbits are what really grabed my attention with Tanganyikan cichlids. And really each one is very beutiful in it's own way, if it's not with color. C-man's right, watching a colony of fronts lumber around a tank is very amazing to see.

 

[Cichlid-Man]

Breeding is another thing that is great. I briefly mentioned a group of peacocks or Haps spawning, but the way they do it is awesome. Granted you don't get as many in a spawn with Old world cichlids but their method is fun to watch. Both parents swimming in a tight circle, females dropping an egg on the sand, male fertilizes and then the female picks it up as she makes her circle. (Eggs sometimes fertilized while in the mouth) Again and again, colors flashing. And the joy of seeing the mother cart her eggs and fry around in her mouth is quite amazing.

Might i refernece some videos from Aaron (verse)
http://www.xdeleon.com/vatoelvis/videos/Aulo_saulosi_spawn.wmv
http://www.xdeleon.com/vatoelvis/videos/Aulonocara_Blue_Neons.mpeg
And one of Frontosas from another person.
http://www.xdeleon.com/vatoelvis/videos/Zaires.wmv

 

[lordroad]

Crap! I had a very long reply that just got eaten when i stupidly left the page to check a profile.

Thanks C-Man for the great pics and oscarowner and orion. You guys have given me a lot to think about.

And that frontosa video, daaaaaaaaamn those are some incredible fish.

 

[Cichlid-Man]

Always been my favorite Frontosa tank pic, its something i saved/bookmarked long enough with dreams in mind, maybe it will come in handy here. This was found on Google.

 

[Orion]

For such a monsterous fish, they are rather docile which I find to be pretty amazing.

 

[straitjacket]

It's the littler things I enjoy although some of the bigger mbuna and mid sized haps do grab my attention.
With mbuna it's action all the time. Not stuff that drives you nuts like danios but constant calculated movements. There are ranks and a whole language based on movements, posture and finnage. That's what I like to see. Two mbuna shaking next to eachother can mean different things. It's a learnable language and IMO that's the best part about them. The colors they display are simply icing on the cake.
When it comes to Tangs it's their meticulous little behaviors. A lot of the interest is in breeding these fellows because they're not so free and easy to do so as the prolific Malawians are. Tanganyika has it's share of mouthbrooders too though. A 30" adult male Oreochromis tanganyicae is a sight to behold! And the delicate metallic, almost mirror-like sheen on a small, fluttery, inquisitive sandsifter is a great spectacle. The smaller fish in their family groups are fun to watch help and defend eachother. Older generations protecting the newer and watching peculiar spawning behaviors like spawning in shells, burying or moving shells to and from a certain territory or watching the behaviors that set them apart from other genera like Julidochromis sp. tendency to be so very comfortable hanging around upside down against the underside of a rock or Neolamprologus furcifer's ability to sink and float at will.
It's a lot of things! *BOUNCINGS

 

[Rokl33t]

well ive had my africans for about 8 months..made the mistake of getting tangs...unique in look but lack in color...if i could go back i would total make an all peacock tank...i have a pair of reds and sunshines love the hell out of them....

plus IMO cichlids are the best fish to get into when it comes to fresh water...tropical fish are just too prone to disease and its just a pain in the butt to treat...plus they just have s0o much characteristic...the way they swim and roam around the tank...and the way they shift sand or with the tangs dwelling in the shells...

so0o thats my 2 cents...

 

[Cichlid-Man]

well ive had my africans for about 8 months..made the mistake of getting tangs...unique in look but lack in color...if i could go back i would total make an all peacock tank...i have a pair of reds and sunshines love the hell out of them....

Ahh, another that has seen the light Orion. haha jk. I feel the same way Rokl33t, Malawi fish just strike something in me that the other lakes don't. I'm about ready to get rid of my Multis and open up a 29gal. And hopefully restock fully in September. (Its weird having most if not all of your tanks empty, heh)

 

[Orion]

Well hey, they aren't for everyone. Never said they were.

I put a box of crayons in a tank once, and I think I was just as pleased with that then if I had anything from Malawi in it. And a whole lot cheaper too.

 

[wayne]

What's the appeal
Mbuna - none
Peacocks - none
Shell dwellers - none
Frontosa - snore
Tropheus - yes, at last....

Horses for courses...

 

[JAWS69]

They are easy to breed, and very colorful. I had some but they kept breeding, I ran out of room!!*twirlysmi
I gave them to my uncle and now he sells them 2 for a dollar.

 

[Exevious]

check out the pics on the links in my sig....

The photobucket link has the newest pictures...
You will see the color of my mbuna... its unmatched by all but saltwater fish.

As a matter of fact everytime nonfish people come over, they assume my cichlid tank is saltwater.

 

[Exevious]

Here is a sample

 

[Cichlid-Man]

Good looking fish Exevious.

 

[Exevious]

Thanks... *thumbsups