It's time for change!

Ems

Ems

Betta lover!
Jan 4, 2005
1,140
6
38
39
British Columbia
Hello everyone!
I have been keeping FW community for quite a few years now, and recently got into Rams and Angels... but being a fishkeeper, of course it's not enough!
So here's the deal, I am interested in cichlids that are colourful, compatible, interesting to watch and that will fit 5-10 in a 60 Gallon tank comfortably. I'm not interested in Oscars, or JD's, and I've had (like I said) Angels and Rams... I'm honestly leaning toward Africans. I would like suggestions from cichlid-knowledgeable people and pictures would be great.. Also common and scientific names if you can provide those. I've been researching.... but I'm so lost :)
Oh side note - I've bred betta's for a couple years so I do have a lot of patience for fishkeeping if that makes a difference in your selections.

Thanks all for the time ;)
-Emily
 
Thanks for the reply :)
Discus have been on my mind also...
The main thing holding me back is the price.
For healthy ones in my area the cost is usually 100$ (Canadian) a piece. Ordering online really isn't really an option for me because most places charge a LOT for shipping.
My LFS had extremely young "dime-size" discus for sale for around 12 dollars a piece. Are they normally "hardy" this small when they're kept in the proper conditions?

Other suggestions are VERY welcome too! ;)
 
Avoid LFS discus period. They are weak, and cull grade fish. A site you might want to check out is http://www.superiordiscus.com they are in Ontario. Yes you pay a lot for shipping, and you are going to shell a good penny out on the fish, but with discus you get what you pay for.
 
Thanks.
My LFS get their fish from local breeders, including their discus. They are very healthy compared to a lot of discus I've seen.
Thanks for the site also.
Now... Discus are a possibility, but I'd still like other suggestions, possibly cheaper suggestions ;), that I can look in to.
Thanks all!
-Emily
 
You could try Lake Victoria or even Madagascar cichlids. Some of which are concidered the most beautiful and rarest cichlids in the hobby.

You can order many quality Africans here:
http://www.ohiexchange.com/armke/list.htm
They know Africans.
 
A few months ago I started cycling out my old mostly south american tank and have migrated to a completely Lake Malawi Mbuna tank. I recreated a freshwater reef as they would have in Lake Malawi and picked 4 different species in groups of 4 (1m 3 f). I wasnt' a complete purist. Despite the fact that Mbuna love algae, they are not as adept as an ancistrus (bristlenose catfish), so I have a breeding pair of those. As you can see I am fairly overstocked, but that is ok with Mbunas and all the rockwork establishes territories and provides hiding places. Mbunas vary in price, but I can tell you that the most common are sometimes no more than $10 a piece. If you're good you can buy them as juveniles (as I did) and they are even cheaper and you get the thrill of watching them mature and feel responsible for their success.

_______________________
Metriaclima Lombardoi (Kenyi)
Cynotilapia afra "Jala Reef"
Metriaclima Estherae (Red zebra)
Metriaclima Callainos (cobalt blue)
Ancistrus sp.(bristlenose catfish)

cichlid-forum .com and malawimayem.com are both wonderful sites that will tell you about different diet needs, compatibility, etc.
 
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