Help on deciding what cichlid(s) to put in a 30G community fish tank

[Malins]

I have need facinated with cichlids throughout my fishkeeping years and i have finally decided to get some. However i need some help on finding what to get.
In my 30G tank i want to get a medium-large school of rummy nosed tetra's, 2 SAE's and possibly a clown loach (yes i know they grow to 12"). I was looking to see if i could get a few or a pair of cichlids which will grow to 4-5" and will not be agressive to my other fish (i know its unavoidable when breeding).
I was looking at he west african cichlids, also known as the "dwarf" cichlids and they seem less aggressive. I saw Krib's and they caught my eye so i looked them up. I read not to keep them in pairs as they will kill my other fish, however i read just keeping one or two females will do fine.
However i would like oppinions from the pro's.
Thanks.
P.s Can the cichlids you suggest be common ones to be stocked i LFS or on the internet (if thwey areo ninternet please link and maybe tell me experiances of deliverys)

[snoopy65]

I would not get the clown loach as not only do they get large, they also like to be with their own kind and a school of at least 6 is recommended for them to thrive and be happy. That being said, all of these stay smaller: Bolivian Rams, Blue Rams, Apistos, Keyhole, Rainbow cichlid.

[Quinn1928]

sorry i have No experience w/ chichlids but good luck

[SubRosa]

Checkerboards, Firemouths and other Thorichthys sps., Yellow Convict, Honduran Redpoint, and other members of the genus Cryptoheros are all suitable. In the case of the Checkerboards get a couple as they do better in groups and are as peaceful as acichlid gets. For the others I named the same precautions as for Kribs would apply. Plus all the species that snoopy named will work.

[Malins]

So are you suggesting i should get a pair of Apistos cichlids (or kribs) and hopefully they will pair up?
With a school of say... 10 rummy nose's and 2-3 SAE and a pair of Kribs (or Apistos cichlids) would that work? My tank set up is sand substrate, with 3 big rocks in the tank. I have long thin leaved plants at the back (called vallis torta) i also will have a foreground carpet of dwarf hairgrass and i will have other plants. Will this work?
Also are kribs or Apistos cichlids usually available in common fish stores?

[SubRosa]

Kribs might cause a problem while spawning. Apistos are much less likely to. Both can be had at better LFSs, Kribs are quite a bit easier to find, at least in my neck of the woods.

[Malins]

Arn't apistos's the same as krib's?
If you live in England, have you heard of Maidenhead Aquatics? Do they stock kribs or apistos's?

[krytan]

Apistos's and kribs are completely different fish that come from different parts of the world both are commonly sold in most lfs and if they don't stock them you could ask them to order them in for you.

[jpappy789]

:iagree:

Apistos = any South American dwarf cichlid from the genus Apistogramma

Kribs = Pelvicachromis pulcher (was often called Pelmatochromis kribensis hence the name "krib") and is from west Africa

[Malins]

Ahh okay. Thanks for the info... i think i may go for either a pair of blue rams or a pair of Apistos's along with a school on rummy noses and a few SAE's

[RisiganL.]

I would definently go with rams. I have kept them in a 30g community tank liek yours and i never had a problem.

[platytetrafan]

I have bolivian rams in my 36g and just love em!

[aviva90]

i have a 30 gal that i am cycling. hope you dont mind, i'm prolly gonna steal your idea with what kind of fish, this seems perfect! good choice

[bangme33]

hi ive kept most s'american chiclids best are rams and apistogramma's they dont grow big and ideal for a 30g tank

[chuckycheesedog]

just get yellow labs there great