Cichlids:Which to choose?

[jiminy_crime]

I have purchased a 30 gal. tank and want to put african cichlids in the tank. Does anyone have any ideas? I am looking for somewhat hardy fish and a maximum amount of fish to place inside. Any thoughts?

Thanks so much for your time!!!!

[JSchmidt]

A 30 is pretty small... you're probably limited to shell dwellers from Lake Tanganika or some of the smaller, dwarf cichlids (and those in small numbers, too). You could keep a quartet of Pseudotropheus demasoni if you want some smallish mbuna; I don't know about the shellies, though.

Jim

[dcallen]

I agree. Shellies would be a good choice for a 30 gallon tank or the dwarf cichlids. I believe that in order to house the larger cichlids you need a mininmum tank size of 55 gallons as most of them will get to large to live comfortably in anything smaller. I'm not sure how many you could put in your 30 gallon tank but I would venture a guess and say maybe 4 to 6 total depending on what you choose. Good luck with whatever you decide on.


Welcome to AC!
:)

Here's a link that will show you some shell dwellers, just choose shell dwellers from the drop down menu. You will see that some of them are nice looking and colorful fish.

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/photogallery/

Hope this helps...

[Jayhawk]

You've got a ton of options for Africans:

Malawi - 1m/3f electric yellows

Tanganyika - any group of shell dwellers (Neolamprologus brevis or ocellatus or similis or multifasciatus or caudopunctatus) or a pair of N. pulcher or 3-4 smaller Julidochromis (transcriptus or ornatus) or a pair or trio of Altolamprologus calvus or compressiceps.

Riverine - Pair of jewels, pair of Kribs, 2 pair of Analchromis Thomasi, 1 m/2 f dwarf egyptian mouthbrooders.

Eric