want to do my 1st cichlid tank and need help...

Mbuna

i like SA cichlids.

apisto's , mikrogeophagus(aka microgeophagus),angels, keyholes,etc.

part of the funt is doing research....LOL

also the type of water you have will help determine where you want to go,

soft acidic -neutral works well for SA.

you can adapt a tank with coral etc for many of the african .

i really can't speak for the african..i do have experience with angels, discus, keyhole, bolivian rams, oto's bn's etc
my next tank will have apisto's

chrishicks,

You need to do a lot of research on what constitues a "cichlid". Cichlids are found all over the world, some are only 1.5" inches in size when full grown, and some can get well over a foot! Some are from hard, alkaline water and some are from soft acidic water. Some are vegetarian and some are strictly predatory. What type do you want? Do you want several smaller cichlids or one or two large ones? Do you want them to breed and have babies? Are you prepared to raise the babies?

You need to think about all these things, and then find the cichlid that will suit you the best. Its also advisable to look at your local LFS to see what is available to you. See if anything catches your eye and WRITE IT DOWN. Then come home and research it on the internet. If you are able to provide the adaquate care to keep it alive then prepare your tank to house it. Once you've narrowed down your cichlid choice then we can help you set up the tank for it.

I am partial to the African Rift Lakes. Lake Malawi and Lake Tangynika have some very neat cichlid species. South/Central American cichlids can also be very rewarding, as they usually gaurd thier babies and help raise them.


-Diana

LuvMykribs, I hope everyone reads this one-liner you wrote, "Its also advisable to look at your local LFS to see what is available to you. See if anything catches your eye and WRITE IT DOWN. Then come home and research it on the internet."

This CAN'T be said enough times to the beginners, (and some advanced impulse shoppers!) :Angel: . Most people see what they like then buy right away to find out a colorful Mbuna cichlid doesn't bode well with the 4 goldfish in a 10 gallon! :duh:

The best thing anyone can do is research first! :read:
Look at what peaks your interest and read up on the fish and what it's compatible with and how large a tank it should be housed in.

other questions to take into consideration:

do you like small fish that skoal(sp) together?
do you like aggressive fish? semi-aggressive?
Big fish?
bottom dwellers? top - middle swimmers?
will they go ok with plants if you want a planted tank?
if you want plants, go to the plant section and research how
much lighting, co2, etc is needed.

First thing to do is go and check out a bunch of LFS and see what tank you like and go from there.

Good luck!