Top-Level cichlids

keiferd

keiferd

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Nov 4, 2003
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Hello I have a 37 gallon tall African Cichlid tank. The dimensions are 30"12"24"
I was wondering if there are any species of african cichlids that prefer to hang out along the top of the water column since I have this extra vertical space. If not are there any other types of top-dwelling fish that would tolerate the dwarf cichlids that I will house them with?
 
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what africans are you considering ?

let me advise strongly against Lake Malawis - a length of 24 inches does not provide sufficient space to manage the extreme territorial aggression they exhibit. equally, they are certainly not top dwellers, which, unfortunately is the case with almost all cichlids - although they will utilise the top layer occasionally, they all have a preference for the bottom third of the tank.

you could have some tanganyikan shell dwellers and maybe a calvus (another tanganyikan fish) and this could work out well, however they would not be suitable for 'dwarf cichlids' presumably meaning rams, apistos or such like. the dwarves would be shredded.

basically the aggression of rift lake cichlids is such that practically no other fish of similar or smaller size could live with it.

In a tall tank often Angels are the best option...in your case perhaps one would work out...but that would be plenty of cichlid in the space available and I don't think it would go well to put more of any kind in.
 
There are a few "top dwelling" cichlids from lake tanganyika (cyprochromis leptosoma comes to mind) however they are not siutable for a tank that size. Stay away from any africans as well, as I presume by 'dwarf' cichlids you are referring to ones from SA. They are not compatible.

Angels might be ok as Coler siggested.
 
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