New to African Cichlids

I would just like to point out that Leopard Ctenopoma are not cichlids...carry on.

edit: I guess I will try to be more help than that..."assorted" tanks usually have hybrids so its doubtful you will end up with a specific species.
 
So do you think it would be safe to buy about 10 of the mixed africans from a LFS for a 55? Then, I could show you guys pictures of them and tell me which to return and what species they are?
 
DAVIDFBT said:
So do you think it would be safe to buy about 10 of the mixed africans from a LFS for a 55? Then, I could show you guys pictures of them and tell me which to return and what species they are?
Click to expand...

Any possibility of getting pics of them while still in the LFS tanks?
 
It would certainly help to see them before you purchase, just for your own convenience.

Mixed africans are often not 'pure strain' species, but you would want to identify whether they are Peacocks or Mbuna before working out a mix.

It also sounds as if you may have difficulty laying your hands on females, and may have to do an all-male tank.

You wouldn't mix the leopard ctenopma with them in any event.
 
Can any of you Cichlid experts suggest 4 or 5 species (In their Latin Name) of commonly found Africans that are colorful? Then, I will look them up on the internet, print them out and see if the LFS has them. I already know one type of cichlid I want and that is a Yellow Lab. I heard that I should have 4-5 species of cichlids with 3-4 of each for a 55 gallon tank.

Edit: I know I've seen this species of cichlid at the LFS, so I already have 2 types of cichlids for my tank. http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1
 
Greshakeis (both regular and albino), socolofis (regular and albino), red zebras, johanniis are some of the most common species found in most lfs's, others are Kenyi, auratus and crabro (but it's suggested to keep them in 75gal+ setup because of extra aggression.
 
Good starters :

Pseudotropheus Socolofi (blue and albino are both lovely)
Iodotropheus Sperengae
Labidochromis Caereulus
Cynotilapia Afra (lots of variant colours)
Pseudotropheus Acei (both colour variants - yellow fin & white fin.
 
How's this? 4 Labidochromis Caereulus, 4 Pseudotropheus Socolofi, 4 Pseudotropheus Saulosi, and 4 Metriaclima Estherae.
 
If you'll be breeding them to sell the fry then I'll either skip on yellow labs or red zebras and get something else, yellow labs and estherae's would have a high chance of interbreeding even with enough females for each male (all mbuna/mouthbrooder could interbreed, but those two species have the highest chances reported in aquaria).
 
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