Cichlids in a 37 gallon tank, stocking options

Yes, sorry for the confusion with the slang...tang = cichlid from Lake Tanganyika.

Their coloration is far more subtle than those from malawi. But I like them better. By quirky I mean they have odd personalities...they aren't just rough and tough like mbuna. For example a lot of shell dwellers love to dig around their shell pit. Its fun to watch the alpha male pick up a mouthful of sand and transport it across the tank.

I would suggest a small group of shell dwellers from the (neo)lamprologus genus...something like multifasciatus, brevis, etc. I would also include a pair of rock dwellers like julidochromis (transcriptus or ornatus) or leleupi which are lamprologs.

If you really need color then I would suggest "dwarf" cichlids instead.

Fishfiles-this is a 37g (30x12x22) not a standard 30.
 
Ok I'll look into it just when you said quirky did that mean entertaining to watch. Also dwarfs how big 2-3 inches and can more than one type ie apsto ram or not. Oh and the tangs would not be to big and why is the mbuna setup not ok for a tank my size obviously less fish but would it not still work ? just a question.
 
Yeah, I guess thats a better way to put it lol

With that size tank you could possibly do a harem (1m/3f) of mbuna but you would be severely limited as to which species. I'm not very familiar with them so I'd have to let someone else suggest them...

I wouldn't go with more than one species of dwarf. Honestly, your footprint doesn't leave a lot of room to work with cichlids.

Tangs are about the only type that will coexist and I'd say it could be two species at most.
 
Ok thank you for all the help I like the 2 types of tangs idea any possible tank mates, also the two types of tangs doesn't mean only 2 tangs does it? I realy appreciate the help.
 
I mean two species. Shell dwellers form colonies for the most part, but some like multis do so more than others. The rock dweller would do best in a pair.

I should mention that most tangs are prolific so you'll have to do your best at rehoming/removing fry.

It would be tight stocking but you might be able to squeeze in some danios or smaller rainbow species for the top. A few livebearers would also be acceptable. The cichlids will stick to the bottom 1/3 of the tank mainly.
 
With me i am a Tanganyika Nut so i would say go Tangs but you can do a Malawi Mbuna but you will have to stick to a species smaller type cichlids like Saulosi where the males are blue with black stripes and the females are a bright yellow giving the illusion of two different species but in fact just one species.. if you go this route get 2 small males and about 6 females..

As for Tanganyika get about 6 Neolamp Multifasciatus shell dweller's and if you want to add color with Tanganyika go for the Neolamprologus Mustax they have a nice full yellow coloration to them.. I used to raise the Mustax and you would be pleased by their colors i was..

As for setup use sand and add a rock pile to one side of the tank for non shell dweller cichlids also place about 10 to 15 shells for the Multi's ..
 
if you want African's i would say go with tangs, like a group of shell dwellers and some julies, or one pair of brichardi. you maybe could do a lelupi some julies, and some cadulpuncotus, i know the spelling is wrong
 
Don't do the Brichardi they will own the whole tank at that tank size and Caudopunct's are very aggressive at a small size when breeding..
 
cdems said:
Yeah but my 37 is 30 long and 24 high, and 12 1/2 deep
Click to expand...

Yeah, a 37gal is 30" long and a 38gal is 36" or 3 ft. long. So, as it has been said by others, your 37gal is too short for Malawi mbuna but OK for some Tangs already mentioned here.
 
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