Cichlid Parenting Behavior

[blue2fyre]

Once my eel is big enough to move out of the 29 gallon I'm thinking of redoing the tank. Now I've always kept rift lake cichlids but after seeing and reading about some other species parenting behavior I've decided to try something else! I got a group of rainbow cichlids to try out first but after a rough trip home only 2 made it and I don' think I'll be able to get more. Which is sad because they are neat little cichlids.
So I'm looking into small cichlids that can live in a 29 gallon planted tank, that take care of their young. The tanks mates are some endlers that mostly hang out around the top of the tank.
I'm looking for something different than the typical kribs, rams and apistos. Though apistos are neat.

 

[RazzleFish]

Cichlids that won't hunt your endlers are going to be rams, kribs, apistos and other SA dwarf cichlids. Personally, I would do a herem of apistos or if you can get your hands on some, dwarf flag cichlids are cool, as are the Dicrossus species.

 

[toddnbecka]

I have cutteri and oblongums available, either species would work in a 29. The cutteri will be pairing soon, probably before the end of the month at the rate they're growing. The oblongums are smaller and much slower-growing, won't be pairing off for months.

 

[fish-n-chips]

Also, don't forget about the following Blue: Laetacara( dorsigera,thayeri and curviceps), Anomalochromis thomasi( butterfly cichlid)- i am going to be picking up a juvie group of these soon and have a good reliable contact on these- and Pelviachromis taeniatus ( these can be broken down to region/variant like alot of victorians). Don't forget about victorians. they are rifties but the lake has huge variances in ph and temp and alot of these stay under 4". I have also seen an " Egyptian mouthbrooder" on Aquabid lately. I have been doing alot of research on dwarfs lately since all I ever hear about are the main 3 you listred and dwarfs are really an overlooked group and there are alot more out there than I listed here but those are just a few species. I cangive you more species if you want but those just break the ice for you to look into. I can pm you about the butterflys and there source if you want. Hope this helps Blue.

 

[blue2fyre]

That's the kind of stuff I was looking for ! Different dwarf cichlids than the ones typically recommended. I have some research to do! Thanks so much!