Seaman
Shrimp gumbo, shrimp salad etc...
Get a bushy nose pleco, they are GREAT with algae, and stay smaller 5" ish. I would try some anubias, java fern, some of the tougher crypts, and anacharis I've had good luck with all of these in my cichlid tanks...they will eat some of the anacharis, but it grows so fast you'll never know!! And plants are part of their natural diet, so its definitely a good thing.
Also about the mixing of africans and SA's its more due to different water conditions that each prefer. SA's prefer lower ph and softer water, whereas africans like higher ph and hard water, also a little salt is good for them too.
Here in TX though our water is higher ph and hard as rock, so its great for africans, but not ideal for SA's. Though I have 4 Geophagus surinamensis eartheaters, and they do great even with the higher ph and hard water. And there's no way I'm gonna try and bring my ph and hardness down, so they would be in this type of water any way.
FWIW
Also about the mixing of africans and SA's its more due to different water conditions that each prefer. SA's prefer lower ph and softer water, whereas africans like higher ph and hard water, also a little salt is good for them too.
Here in TX though our water is higher ph and hard as rock, so its great for africans, but not ideal for SA's. Though I have 4 Geophagus surinamensis eartheaters, and they do great even with the higher ph and hard water. And there's no way I'm gonna try and bring my ph and hardness down, so they would be in this type of water any way.
FWIW
