what are african lake species options for 55

[SnakeIce]

I don't know where to start with the fish from there... I have looked at shellies but they are so small for a 55. could I have something else as well as those? or is that like preparing a buffet for the other fish.
really shooting in the dark on this...
I know could all that can give me lists of what could be put in the tank,
as in 4 of those and 5 of these and this cleaner fish as one option or 1 of this and 8 of that is another option

I will do research on what ever I get names for so feel free to name off a single fish as well

oh and I probably won't know the shortened names people use for some of those so scientific names if possible please

[valerie]

HEre is a good example to some setups that might work, even thought it is for a 40g. http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/cookie_cutter_40g.php for a 55g you could jsut add a few more of each species.

Cichlid-forum.com is where ilearned all about africans before i got my first african tank. They have some great articles and pics. Check out their species profiles and see which fish catch your eye then post back with the ones you like. Do you want a tang.community? malawi mbuna? malawi hap/peacock?aggresive or "peaceful"?

[SnakeIce]

lets narrow it some by saying comparitably peaceful is what I want or small enough that there is room for the targets of the agression to get away if that makes any sence

I would like 3-5 species or so with the possibilitie of at least one breeding without them taking over the tank while doing so

obviously I would remove some of the ones that reproduced in time to reduce crowding

color would be nice... open to any size that would go ok in the tank but would like to lean towards smaller species

lol I suppose I will just have to pick one type and ask if they fit what I just described... got to go to work atm but will get back to this

[valerie]

Here are some of the more "peaceful" mbuna that would work in a 55g.

Lab.caeruleus(yellow labs)
Iodotropheus sprengerae(rusties)
Pseudotropheus saulosi
Pseudotropheus sp. "Acei"

From the list you could put about 4 of each species(1m/3f). Its really hard to say exact numbers as each fish is different.

So do you want haps/peacoks or mbuna? Lake tang.? Lake victoria?

[SnakeIce]

the rusties and yellow labs catch my eye out of the list you gave...

what about the neolamprologus species, could one of those coexist with one of the above? caudopuntatus is the species that caught my eye

and the peacock species are gorgeous but would they be to big for the tank or is there one that I might be able to keep a specimen of?

I am wondering if I really have to decide between the different types. is there an unwritten rule that says you can't mix species from different lakes? I know that some are more aggressive than others, size considerations, and all but if the water is similar could you keep different stuff together?
How different is the water between lakes?

and one last thing how hard are these to get a hold of? I can't afford really expensive fish... at this point the most I have spent on a fish is like 15$

[valerie]

I'm not too sure about mixing lakes, I'm sure there are people who have done it but usually its best not too.

Yellow labs and rusties are a great choice, both quite docile and colorful. I have rusties and some Lab. perlmutts in with my peacocks and have had no aggresion problems.

There are some pecocks that would do ok in a 55g. Aul. jacobfreibergi species are more aggresive of the peacocks so i wouldn't choose them. I have ruby red peacocks(1m/3f) and they are beautiful.

Peacocks are usually more expensive, around 20$(can) where i live. But i got mine at an auction for 1$each before. Rusties and yellow labs are cheap since they are more common and easy to find.I got my rusties for 6$ and have seen yellows for 5$.

[SnakeIce]

thanks for your input, it gave me a toe hold on getting to know the african lake cichlids

[scholar]

That is a good list. I definitely would add Saulosi's. They are lots of fun. the male is black and blue abs the female is tangerine.