Tank set up ideas-opinions please

My thoughts:

1. Cichlids can't have too much space!
2. If you want to recreate an African rift lake bio-tope, ditch the plants and the driftwood. Fill the tank with lava rock, moon rock, or whatever they call it. Just use a lot of rock. For substrate, use crushed coral, coral sand, or a combo. You will need a lot of PH buffering.
3. If you don't already have the tank, anything smaller than a standard 75 gallon tank is not worth it (especially for cichlids). My advice is to buy at least this size tank. A 55 gallon tank is the biggest small tank you can get. At 13" deep, it is almost worthless. It's like a 4ft long tank for 4" long fish. The 75 is 18" deep, and will still allow for bigger fish with the decorations. Also, bigger tanks are easier to maintain.

I'm not so sure that Kennyis are a good idea for a tank with some of these other, more peaceful fish. Just my $.02--Matthew

Originally posted by silver_leaf
P)ardon the question..which ones exactly are the kenyis?? i know it sounds odd, but all i can do is identify them by their nomen clature

I think from what was said, i will go with the 55 gallon, ive also read that rainbow fish and/or danios make good 'target fish' and fill up the top empty space, so i might add those.
Peace
Anna

Click to expand...

Kenyis are Pseudotropheus lombardoi. They're rather aggressive.

Sorry I didn't get back to you so quickly, Anna, but Kirin Fang nailed it. Kennyis = Pseudotropheus lombardoi.

Off to amend the Glossary...

I'm not so sure on that. From what I have just read, that particular fish holds territory, but is much less aggressive than many of the others in that genus and will take a smaller territory. It looks like providing enough rockwork will allow you to keep a Socolofi.

http://www.aquariacentral.com/species/db.cgi?db=fresh&uid=default&ID=0332&view_records=1

I like this community cichlid mix:

All male Aulonocara (aka Peacocks)
Labidochromis (any kind)
Cynotilapia (any kind)
Protomelas
Copadichromis
Rusty, i.e Sprengerae
A single Juli
A single Compressiceps/Calvus
A single leleupi
A single brichardi/daffodil
A single Tretocephalus

I'd stay away from Mbuna (like your pseudotropheus) and big active haps like Venustus/Livingstoni mixed in with any of the above. IMHO, 55 gal really isn't big enough for a big hap tank but would suit a reasonable combo (say 8 adult fish) of the list above nicely. I'd keep any of the above out of an Mbuna tank.

My recommendation in your 55 gal: either go overstocked all Mbuna (say 10 fish with lots of rockwork) or for a more tranquil tank, any combo of 8 or so fish from above. I highly recommend looking into Aulonocara (or Peacocks). If you go this route, try to vary the colors of your all male Peacocks/Utaka to minimize aggression. And either way you go, get really good filtration if you plan to overstock or even come close.

Also remember that all the above fish in the list are omnivores/'carnivores', not vegetarians like Mbuna. Not a huge deal, but if you end up mixing the two types of fish, make sure each gets adequate amounts of the right type of food to meet its nutritional needs.

As for your aquascaping, no plants or driftwood is necessary. Only rocks (I like lace rock, granite and lava rock) and sand/gravel is needed - trust me, this will make your adult fish stand out much better. If you like sand, check out pool filter sand from a pool supply store. If you get this, be sure to wash it really well before putting it in the tank.

Your all male tank is a good idea. Remember, lots of rockwork and lots of space generally make for happier cichlids.

Good luck.

I forgot - don't bother with the dither/target fish. They just eat up space (especially in a 55 gal) and produce extra biowaste. If you do a mixed lake setup with fish of even temperament, the Malawi fish will typically fill all levels while the Tangs stay around the rocks. It should be a nice effect when they all settle in.