Noob Question

[ptd434]

I am new to cichlids and I was told that cichlids need different water than tropical fish. Is this true?

 

[Rbishop]

Yes and no. Most fish, including cichlids, can adapt to any pH.
Some fish, including some cichlids, will display better color temperment or mating behavior and spawning sucess if the correct pH and GH/KH are involved. What are your specific concerns?

 

[ptd434]

Not sure yet I was just wondering about setting up a cichlid tank. What would be some good cichlids for a begginner in a 55 gallon?

 

[Mgamer20o0]

angels.

 

[rmcder]

Firemouth, nicaraguensis, sajica, honduran red point, multispinosa, mixteco, spinosissimus, ram, keyhole. Severum, jack dempsey, salvini (going to fill the tank eventually). What kind of numbers do you want? Obviously if you want lots of smaller fish, the answer will be different than if you want one larger fish. Do you want no aggression (or very little). Do you want to deal with breeding problems?

 

[MbunaFishKeeper]

you could get an african tank set up (malawi mbunas) but you would need a lot of caves (i use ocean rock) which highers the ph a bit for africans you need ph around 8.2 is my ph.

 

[ptd434]

I would rather have more smaller fish or medium sized fish than alot of large fish, and i would like to keep agression as low as posibble.

 

[Coler]

well...I would think rams and/or apistogramma dward cichlids with some tropical community fish is worth considering then.

 

[Jmerk]

Just do some smaller Mbuna...

I just love Mbuna........ Gotta problm whid dat?

(jk) lol

 

[Coler]

I'd do mbuna t0o myself in a 55...but you have to willing to accept some aggression...its just part of the fish.