i'm setting up a couple of tanks for my mom's classroom and one of them is a 38 gal tank. i'm doing rainbowfish in the 55 gal, and she really likes the looks of african cichlids. i would love some help and input on some smaller species that would be fairly easy and do well together in the 38 gal tank. i've never done a cichlid tank before and this has really peaked my interest, but i am at a loss when it comes to finding species that would be best. i know she wants, and loves, a variety of breeds and colors. rams and jewels i'm looking at, but i don't know what else to do.
starting an african cichlid tank....
- Thread starter psychocerebrall
- Start date
What are the dimensions of a 38? If it's at least a 3' long tank you could do a small colony of ps. saulosi, they're a dwarf mbuna and are dimorphic, so you get a 2 for 1 special 
the dimensions are 36" x 12" or 13". it's a pretty tank. i used to house albino tiger barbs in it once. they were fun. 
are mbuna's prone to eating java ferns, anubias, and crypts? they look like alot of fun.
are mbuna's prone to eating java ferns, anubias, and crypts? they look like alot of fun.
They may not eat them, but they definately will uproot them wherever you plant them. I have tied down java fern to a piece of driftwood multiple times and they still manage to yank it out so that is cannot take root to the driftwood. Plants tend to be difficult with mbuna, though some here have had more success than I am having.
Indeed he might.
The tank is tight for mbuna...Pseudotropheus Saulosi would be best choice...if you can't get those consider some iodotropheus sperengae (say 4, 1 male, 3 female) paired with some cynotilapia afra (same size)...those are little uns that would haev a good shot at getting on.
Plants are a great idea...I find java fern and onion (crinium) plant work great. Anubias should also be ok. Java Moss I found would grow quickly in my tank but was too much of a pain in the butt to keep removing loose bits and pieces from filter intakes etc. I find mine don't go for the java or onion at all, but other folk have found that they just end up providing a salad buffet.
The tank is tight for mbuna...Pseudotropheus Saulosi would be best choice...if you can't get those consider some iodotropheus sperengae (say 4, 1 male, 3 female) paired with some cynotilapia afra (same size)...those are little uns that would haev a good shot at getting on.
Plants are a great idea...I find java fern and onion (crinium) plant work great. Anubias should also be ok. Java Moss I found would grow quickly in my tank but was too much of a pain in the butt to keep removing loose bits and pieces from filter intakes etc. I find mine don't go for the java or onion at all, but other folk have found that they just end up providing a salad buffet.
I love a salad buffet hehehe Coler you the man.. Afra's and Rusty's will be a sweet combo in this tank sorry but not enough space for much anything else Mbuna.. I would place about 6 each to start..
Rams require softer water than Mbuna and Jewels turn into complete nightmares even single Jewels are really aggressive you can also add a smaller catfish like Synodontis Petricola maybe like 3 or 4 of them they stay rather small for a Syno cat..
As for plants Coler's choices are great also let me say Anubias will be your best bet as you can place the rhizome in between two rocks and the plant will prosper..
Rams require softer water than Mbuna and Jewels turn into complete nightmares even single Jewels are really aggressive you can also add a smaller catfish like Synodontis Petricola maybe like 3 or 4 of them they stay rather small for a Syno cat..
As for plants Coler's choices are great also let me say Anubias will be your best bet as you can place the rhizome in between two rocks and the plant will prosper..