Whats the big deal with cichlids? I was considering setting up a tank for cichlids,but I need to know why they are so popular,and what size tank is needed.Also any info on a tank setup would be helpful,ie....I know they like lots of rocks and caves,,,is this really needed??
Why Cichlids ??
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Cause I find most other fish "boring". 
I don't understand discus owners - I find fish that are floating kinda boring.
SA cichlids are nice, but I had to go with Malawi's for their color and their character.
SA apistos have some really nice colors!
Most will recommend 30G absolute minimum.
Most will recommend bigger.
I started out with a 10G, which was obviously too small, but now they are all in a 60G and happy!
One drawback is that these things are not very good community fish.
If you have your heart set on a mix of fish in your tank, getting cichlids to mix with other species is an exercise in patience and research!
Lots of the species get BIG.
So you really need to do your homework.
I try to stay with relatively small species, and there's stuff that will stay even smaller.
"Shellies" and drawf apistos should keep pretty small...
I don't understand discus owners - I find fish that are floating kinda boring.
SA cichlids are nice, but I had to go with Malawi's for their color and their character.
SA apistos have some really nice colors!
Most will recommend 30G absolute minimum.
Most will recommend bigger.
I started out with a 10G, which was obviously too small, but now they are all in a 60G and happy!
One drawback is that these things are not very good community fish.
If you have your heart set on a mix of fish in your tank, getting cichlids to mix with other species is an exercise in patience and research!
Lots of the species get BIG.
So you really need to do your homework.
I try to stay with relatively small species, and there's stuff that will stay even smaller.
"Shellies" and drawf apistos should keep pretty small...
Hmm, that a whole lot of info you asked for, so I will keep it short. There are cichlids for every size of tank, from a 10g up to AshDavids 1800g. Cichlids have evloved to fill sooo many ecological niches that it's imposible to generalize as to tank set-up. Some require more elaborate set-ups, but other than a few species specific necessities (caves, rockwork, shells) most will do fine in a bare-bottomed tank. How elaborate the set-up is up to you.
What's so great about them? Well, they think about what they're doing for one. Their actions seem much more deliberate than any other fish in my tank. They are very curious, and are always checking things out. My favorite trait is the range of behaviors that you just don't see (or just don't notice) in livebearers, tetras..... The "tail-slap", the "shimmy", the "gil-flare", the "belly-flash", and the "glancing blow" that I observe between just my one pair of apistos in a 10g is more interesting to watch than a 1000g tank filled with tetras, and the like. And I have not even mentioned the behavior that surfaces when they beocme parents. \
Buy a cichlid, or better yet, a pair of chichlids.
Viva la cichladidae revolution!!!
What's so great about them? Well, they think about what they're doing for one. Their actions seem much more deliberate than any other fish in my tank. They are very curious, and are always checking things out. My favorite trait is the range of behaviors that you just don't see (or just don't notice) in livebearers, tetras..... The "tail-slap", the "shimmy", the "gil-flare", the "belly-flash", and the "glancing blow" that I observe between just my one pair of apistos in a 10g is more interesting to watch than a 1000g tank filled with tetras, and the like. And I have not even mentioned the behavior that surfaces when they beocme parents. \
Buy a cichlid, or better yet, a pair of chichlids.
Viva la cichladidae revolution!!!
Debra Mark
Wench Boots!
I agree with Mooman....cichlids are some of the most interesting fish you can have. They are colorful, curious, and yes...cranky a lot of the time....but there's never a dull moment with them. Courtship and spawning are awesome...
Swimfins
This is as good as it gets.
I've been admiring cichlid tanks at my lfs for their color and size and different traits. Funny to see the geophagus (earth eaters) picking up gravel bits and siphoning it for food bits and spitting it out. I was impressed that alot of the cichlids are god parents and take care of the fry. I've always wanted to see this too.
There are smaller, like rams and apistos which I had considered bur then I saw convicts and read up on them and found out that they don't need much in the way of a certain ph. 7.5 being ok. A good beginner cichlid (altho aggressive and need to be kept with other aggressive ones or on their own)
Some need specific ph ranges and that was my biggest concern because my tap water is 7.2 and many need higher ph levels.
But, I like the convicts, cool stripes, very nice looking fish and not too fussy with regards to habitat.
There are smaller, like rams and apistos which I had considered bur then I saw convicts and read up on them and found out that they don't need much in the way of a certain ph. 7.5 being ok. A good beginner cichlid (altho aggressive and need to be kept with other aggressive ones or on their own)
Some need specific ph ranges and that was my biggest concern because my tap water is 7.2 and many need higher ph levels.
But, I like the convicts, cool stripes, very nice looking fish and not too fussy with regards to habitat.
Talking or writing about it just dosen't do the justice as much as a visual. If you ever watch any type of cichlid tank that is appropiately setup you will be impressed and convinced. Cichlids are among the most smartest of fish and are some of evolutions greatest work. I agree with moonman, if you want to really be impressed a pair of almost any cichlid will do it.
They seem to do more than just swim around the tank. When you come into the room, they acknowledge your presence ... and not just because it's feeding time. I have a couple that sit and look at me as much as I sit and look at them. I imagine they are actually observing much the same as I am. "Look! This one has glasses on!" 
"When is she gonna get that hair cut anyway! Ugh!" :laugh:
"When is she gonna get that hair cut anyway! Ugh!" :laugh:
I keep cichlids because they are more of a challenge to keep than the normal community fish. You have to know what fish goes with other fish, water conditions are more important. You need to learn the basics of scientific names. So much to learn!
