Difference of African Cichlids?

[ChiaJesus]

In the next couple of weeks I'm going to be starting up a new tank. I was thinking of going African this time for a different look, plus I like the idea of stocking heavily in order to reduce aggression.

But there seems to be three different kinds of African cichlids - Lake Victoria, Malawi, and Lake Tanganyika. What are the differences between these different fish? Are fish from one lake more colorful/aggressive than others?

I want a tank full of aggressive, colorful fish to create an amazing display. Does anyone have any insight they can share with an Africanewbie?

[JL15219]

What size tank are you going to put them in?

[ChiaJesus]

Nothing less than a 120 long.

[JL15219]

I want a tank full of aggressive, colorful fish to create an amazing display.

If you want this I would go with all male mbuna or peacock tank...maybe some smaller haps also keep in mind that africans are aggressive but some are alot more aggressive than others...

[JL15219]

check out this link it give you alot of information about size, aggression,etc. read the articles on the website they are very informative.....
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/african_cichlid_genus_gallery.php

[ChiaJesus]

Great link, thanks. At least it gives me somewhere to start. :)

[JL15219]

No problem.....

[jpappy789]

I tend to think of it like this...Malawi tend to be larger and more colorful, however they are also a step up on the aggression scale. Tangs have a better variety of personalities, shapes, and colors.

[mostlycichlids]

I would go with either Peacocks or Mbuna. Mbuna are more aggressive then Peacocks and when housed together will stress the peacocks too much. I would do a all Male Peacock tank Just dont get any of the same Peacocks or one won't show it's full color.