Small African Cichlids

What African cichlids can I keep in a 38 gallon? I'm only considering keeping cichlids, so if there are none that's fine. But I looked on Liveaquaria and got caudopunctatus cichlid, gold ocellatus cichlid, and marlieri cichlid. What do you think? Or would it be easier for me to keep American cichlids?

I've been doing more research and decided that I'm interested in Tanganyikan cichlids. If I got a bigger tank, say 55 or 75, could I do a combo of rocks and open sand so I could accommodate both rock dwellers and sand dwellers? What are some good beginner Tanganyikans of each kind?


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What do you think about these cookie cutter stock lists I found? I thought following one would be safer since I'm so new to cichlids I have a good grip on who goes with who.
• Cyprichromis leptosoma - 12
Select 1 pair from each group (max of 2 pairs):
• Altolamprologus calvus or compressiceps
• Neolamprologus leleupi or cylindricus
• Julidochromis or Chalinochromis
• Telmatochromis vittatus, bifrenatus or brichardi

Cyprichromis leptosoma - 12 (non-jumbos)
• Altolamprologus calvus or compressiceps
• Neolamprologus buescheri - 12
• Shell dweller pair of choice -
'Lamprologus' (Shellies) brevis,
multifasciatus (group), meleagris,
ornatipinnis, ocellatus, speciosus,
similis (group), Neolamprologus signatus

I'm having trouble deciding on which one I want, because I like shell dwellers, but I also like neolamprologus leleupi and the julidochromis variety from the first one, especially julidochromis marlieri. Are neolamprologus leleupi and julidochromis marlieri compatible with the shell dweller Jpap mentioned?


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