First Cichlid Tank

[ptd434]

I am getting a 55 gallon tank and am going to make it into a cichlid tank. My question to you is what lake of cichlids would be the easiest to keep. Also can you give me some stocking suggetions. I dont want just a few large fish, rather more medium and small sized cichlids. I like the looks of fish from all the lakes so I have no specification. Basically can you help me stock my first cichlid tank?

[DeRo316]

Lake Malawi is a popular choice. Lake Victoria cichlids are beautiful but can be rare and limited, Lake Tang cichlids are also limited in choice and sometimes on the large side.

With Malawi you can go with Mbuna, Peacocks, or Haps. Haps tend to be the larger ones, Mbuna the smaller. A mix can be successfull if you dont go with any overly aggressive species IMO. I have an all males mixed tank that works fine. Its 1M/3F if you dont want all males. It may take a little trial and error to get the right mix.

[ptd434]

Ok so do you think 1 male to each 2 or 3 females of each type of fish would be good? Also what lake are servums, jack dempseys, and convicts from?

[Slappy*McFish]

Severums are from South America (Amazon River).

Jack Dempseys and Convicts are from Central America (Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvadore, Costa Rica, Panama and the Yucatan)

[jpappy789]

On that note, make sure you DON'T mix CA/SA with africans...just making sure you know...

[ptd434]

Which lake would you say has more color and personality SA or CA? Also can i keep a gold nugget pleco in either of the tankes if i use those lakes?

[Slappy*McFish]

SA and CA aren't lakes. SA = South America, CA = Central America

[cdfishie123]

if you want a lot of really colorful fish buy africans, if u want more aggressiveness and a few big fish, the way to go is SA and CA cichlids

[DeRo316]

In your original post you said you didnt want just a few larger fish, which pretty much rules out a SA/CA tank. A malawi tank gives you the size and color you want(males).

I have an all male african mix(hap/mbuna/peacock) but I didnt go with any overly aggressive species. That gives me the best color and no spawning aggression.

I have a gold nugget pleco in my mixed african tank, he was the first resident and has never been picked on or had nips in his fins. I would say watch it very closely if you decide to get an exotic pleco, and be sure you have A LOT of driftwood in your tank, if not dont even try it.

[mostlycichlids]

if you want a lot of really colorful fish buy africans, if u want more aggressiveness and a few big fish, the way to go is SA and CA cichlids

I would have to say that African cichlids malawi in particular are much more agressive than most SA/CA cichlids. But that is just my opinion!

[jpappy789]

I would have to agree. But it ususally is only displayed during spawning. Africans get really nasty then! Just get all males and you should be fine.

[ptd434]

Africans need a higher pH right around 8.0? Also would they eat live plants?

[DeRo316]

Africans will nip at most plants and sometimes uproot them. There are few plants that are sometimes suggested because they are strong rooted, but I gave up and went artificial.

[jpappy789]

You could try non-rooted plants like java moss, but if you want something for the background or whatever then go safe with plastic. Africans will thrive in a high pH and anything around the 8-9 rnage is perfect.

[pugwash]

In your original post you said you didnt want just a few larger fish, which pretty much rules out a SA/CA tank.

How? He could have 2-3 harem's of dwarf cichlids (Apistogramma, Nannacara etc) with dithers....