Need some ideas on common but Less aggresive/alittle smaller africans

[vanpudin]

Trying to add a few more african cichlids that may not get to large for my 55g. Trying to find fish that might be alittle less agressive than average for an african. I've heard of a rusty cichlid and saulosi cichlids but dont think their real common. I also heard of an acei cichlids which are common. I've heard that they get up to 6'' though, depending on the website or forum i'm on. I donot want to buy online. I like the idea of going to my local fish store to see fish before i buy.
My latest addition was a yellow lab. I had a 3 young kenyi ( maybe hybreds?) from my friend, but i just gave back 2 and kept the smallest one, hoping it was a female. I also have a krib, angelfish and firemouth. Dont worry, some changes will be made. So far no issues with firemouth messin with other cichlids, even thouth it's one of the biggest.
Would a jewel be compatable?
I would like to stay with the african theme, as they seem to be the most colorful.
Thanks for any suggestions.

[vanpudin]

I heard jewels can be nasty for their size

[b19fish]

Two come to my mind for Peaceful cichlids
Neolamprologus brichardi, Neolamprologus ocellatus.

[Johnnyr]

You've got several problems you need to deal with before thinking about adding anymore fish. For one, you're mixing African and SA Cichlids. You need to either get rid of the Kenyi, Krib, and Lab, or get rid of the Firemouth. The Angelfish also needs to go, as it will be ripped to shreds by the more aggressive fish.

You need to either stick with SA Cichlids or African Cichlids. An Angelfish would be ok in a VERY peacful SA Cichlid tank, but what you have now is just a recipe for disaster.

[jpappy789]

Two come to my mind for Peaceful cichlids
Neolamprologus brichardi, Neolamprologus ocellatus.


Occies can get pretty nasty actually...and brichardis are aggressive as well and best suited to a species tank.

[b19fish]

really i hand know idea my friend has a 46 gallon with those two species with some angel fish, swordtails, and boeseman's Rainbowfish. And he has no problem maybe he just got lucky.

[jpappy789]

Occies aren't aggressive as much as territorial...they will protect their space.

Brichardis on the otherhand aggressively defend their fry, to the point of pushing cohabitants into the corners.

If you want to stay with the african theme (rift lake?) then the angel and firemouth will have to be removed as they are SA/CA. Are you thinking mbuna or if not, what?

[tarheels910]

If you want to add more africans, get rid of the american cichlids.

[silentskream]

they're all gonna be pretty cranky.. but the shell dwellers are small (and fun to watch!)

[jpappy789]

:iagree:

My 55 is going to have shell dwellers...I can't wait. They have such cool personalities. Better than any mbuna IMO:p:

[vanpudin]

Thanks for the help guys. I will check out some of the suggestions. Like i stated at first, changes will be made in this tank... I'll deal with S.A./ Afican issue as i am in the process of moving fish. Luckly most of my fish are small and young so exept that the angel is med. size. The angel will get moved soon. I may choose to keep the firemouth for awhile to see how it works out. Some people have luck mixing a few, though that is not my intent. Thanks for the conern. I have'nt had any real issues yet.
So speaking about africans only, will the jewel fit in or be more aggressive than typical mbunas.
Yea i am more interested with the mbunas i guess because i know more about them, there common, and the colors. I know the jewel is not a mbuna. I'll take any more suggestions if u have them. I like this forum because most of the people are nice and educated.

[vanpudin]

I just saw a pic of a Brichardis. They look neat. Are they common? As for the jewel. I think it would be too aggressive from what i have read. I suppose most africans would do better in a tank larger than a 55g. That's why i'm being selective and asking questions.

[Johnnyr]

As long as you stay with the smaller cichlids, you should be fine in a 55g.

[GirlieGirl8521]

If you want to stick with Africans, I suggest sticking with Mbuna. Get rid of the Firemouth, Krib and Angel. I'd also get rid of the Kenyi since they can be really nasty fish.

Add more Yellow labs...I'd get atleast 3 more. Mbuna are best kept in groups. Acei are peaceful Mbuna for the most part and can get 5-6 inches. They are beautiful though and I suggest them for a "peaceful" Mbuna tank. Saulosi females look too much like yellow labs, so they won't work. Rusty Cichlids would work as well, but like you said they aren't very common.

Most Mbuna are pretty aggressive, or atleast thats what I've found. You could try some Peacocks (Aulonocara genus) in a group and hopefully they'd be ok with Acei, Yellow labs, and the Jewel (assuming you keep it). Its really hard to get a mostly peaceful Mbuna tank.....thats why I'm changing my Malawi tank out for Tangs. :D

[vanpudin]

Thanks, i may get a acei. I would rather have the biggest fish be the most peaceful. For now i will leave the firemouth and krib. The angel will be out soon. I'm not too conearned about the firemouth with Mbuna now. Even Mbuna may have issues with other Mbuna at times as they are all aggressive and territorial anyway. I may take the firemouth out later on. At this time all the fish are young and i want to enjoy what i have. Either way things happen.
As for the kenyi, i can always find a home for it if its too much trouble along with the firemouth if necessary. Their is a nice fish place not to far away that will give me up to 1/3 of what they sell them for or store credit.

[vanpudin]

So does anybody have experence with jewels. I know they can be very aggressive when spawning. What if there is just one of them? I thought they stay on the smaller side; maybe 4''+

[Xavi]

Jewels are aggresive. They also a have differnt water and food requirements than mbuna.

[jpappy789]

If you want to stick with Africans, I suggest sticking with Mbuna. Get rid of the Firemouth, Krib and Angel. I'd also get rid of the Kenyi since they can be really nasty fish.

Add more Yellow labs...I'd get atleast 3 more. Mbuna are best kept in groups. Acei are peaceful Mbuna for the most part and can get 5-6 inches. They are beautiful though and I suggest them for a "peaceful" Mbuna tank. Saulosi females look too much like yellow labs, so they won't work. Rusty Cichlids would work as well, but like you said they aren't very common.

Most Mbuna are pretty aggressive, or atleast thats what I've found. You could try some Peacocks (Aulonocara genus) in a group and hopefully they'd be ok with Acei, Yellow labs, and the Jewel (assuming you keep it). Its really hard to get a mostly peaceful Mbuna tank.....thats why I'm changing my Malawi tank out for Tangs. :D

Good choice!

[vanpudin]

Yea the jewel may not be a good idea.
Still interested in any ideas about africans that get slightly smaller than avg. with slightly less agression than average. Also need to be common, Preferably mbuna.
Being cichlids i may be asking for alot. Thanks...

[grannylvsfish]

I have a fire mouths, an angel, bolivian rams, and a green sevrum, and a cory cat, and a blood parrot in mine, they all get along fine.

[Johnnyr]

I have a fire mouths, an angel, bolivian rams, and a green sevrum, and a cory cat, and a blood parrot in mine, they all get along fine.

Well, yes, because with the exception of the cories, those are all SA. Right now he's mixing SA and African. They are young atm, and may be fine for now, but when they get older, you may run into agression issues.

My motto is to always give a fish a chance. Who knows? Maybe they will all live together just fine. Every fish has a different personality.

[rosita]

Two come to my mind for Peaceful cichlids
Neolamprologus brichardi, Neolamprologus ocellatus.


I have an N. brichardi in my 55g now that her mate died; she's barely 2"; there are no fry to protect; she RULES that tank. I've got malawi peacocks and a 7" sp. polleni in there, and she literally runs them off. They have sharp tiny little teeth. Not a peaceful fish in my opinion.

[vanpudin]

If i could find a brichardi in my area and the price was not high, i may be interested in one.

[jpappy789]

I wouldn't try to get any unless you plan on a species only tank with a group of 'em.

[Lil_Stinker]

I have kept venustus, Kenyi, labs, & Jewels together for years.. Give them cover so they can stake a claim & have a place to retreat.

my Venustus is like 8 inches & he is a gentle with the others, although he will take minnows out to lunch.

Jewels are like 3" Kenyi & labs 3 & 5..

The Kenyi were mating till the dad got stuck in a rock formation & died..

[genesiszkewl]

i think that he can too put sa cichlids with africans but they have to have the same type of temperment because i a 40 gallon with 1 pair of labs and a pair of cons and they are doing great but i agree if either pair comes near breeding space its battle time but they have not killed each other or made seriouse injuries

[Johnnyr]

There are always exceptions, but the general concensus is that African and SA fish should not be in the same tank.

[vanpudin]

Thanks for all the input, opinions, and responses. I'll keep my eyes open for changes that may need to be made.At least a few changes will be made as they all mature.