New to chichlids

[Kodiak]

I have a 30g tank and im thinking about stocking it with chichlids, im very new to them but im very interested. I love their colors. Could someone give me a run down on some important information. I dont know the species, all i know is that they are african chichlids. What could i mix with them, how many could i get, and all other info is welcomed. Im about to leave to take my 6'' loach to a store that is willing to take him. Please fill me in on all the info you guys have about chichlids.

[Kodiak]

Would perfer something that didnt get that big, like 2-4 inchs or smaller. I would rather have several, than a few big.

Also, i plan to plant the tank, any suggestions, i already have the substrate ready.

:headbang2: :headbang2: :headbang2: :headbang2: :headbang2:

[tarheels910]

Your limited to what you can do in a 30. Maybe a small group of Yellow Labs. They are peaceful.

[cichlidsrextrem]

nah get some tanganikian shell dwellers there super small thats what i got done doin 2 day its already cycled cuz i had 3 big africans in there b4 sold them and i have 3 neopamprogus brechardi in it i have a bunch of shellys and stuff n the way its a 30 gal 2 u might wanna read up a bit on tangs pretty big amount of them

[jm1212]

is there anything else in the tank?

[tarheels910]

nah get some tanganikian shell dwellers there super small thats what i got done doin 2 day its already cycled cuz i had 3 big africans in there b4 sold them and i have 3 neopamprogus brechardi in it i have a bunch of shellys and stuff n the way its a 30 gal 2 u might wanna read up a bit on tangs pretty big amount of them
He said he loves their colors and he wants to mix them. I think he is referring to mbunas.

[jamthoyoung]

Check out the cichlid database (http://www.aquariacentral.com/species/cichlids.shtml) and surf the web for research before picking anything up. Most african cichlids won't do well in a 30, once they have grown full size. Some are mildly aggressive, some extremely - especially if territory is limited.

Is upgrading to a larger tank an option? :)