Chiclid Beginner

[S Herbert]

Hi,

I am totally new to fish keeping so would like some advice on a beginner chiclid tank. I am interested in chiclids as we want something different form the norm and love the personalities of these fish. Firstly the type of fish:
I have been recommended the following:

in 200Ltank(50gallons, sorry im in the UK we do litres )

4 angelfish ( Pterophyllum scalare)
1 pair of Aequidens curviceps
1 pair of Aequidens maronii (Keyhole cichlid)
6 Ancistrus (plecos)

Are all plecos 'suckers' or am i being totally stupid?It just seems that 6 of these would be too many. any suggestions on replacements for some of these?
This is our preferred set up as my OH loves angelfish, but there are 2 other options, we have been recommended for beginners:

30gallon tank:
either:
1 pair of Archocentrus sajica (T-Bar cichlid)
1 pair of convicts (Archocentrus nigrofasciatus)
2 Hypostomus (plecos)
OR
1 pair of kribs (Pelvicachromis pulcher)
1 pair of African butterfly cichlids (Anomalochromis thomasi)
1 pair of Egyptian mouth-brooders (Pseudocrenilabrus multicolor)
4 Ancistrus (plecos)


Any help suggestions or critisism much welcomed

Thanks Sarah

 

[SamUK]

well jus for starters its cichlids hehe.


most of the fish you list are actually south american cichlids i think. Your best asking in the new world cichlids section anyway.



u definately dont need 6 plecs, i have one in my tank and i dont have any algae at all.

you can get some syno cats that do a good job of cleaning the bottom and inbetween the rocks.

 

[S Herbert]

DOH! thanks for the spelling correction, it never was my strong point!

 

[diademhill]

Hi,

I am totally new to fish keeping so would like some advice on a beginner chiclid tank. I am interested in chiclids as we want something different form the norm and love the personalities of these fish. Firstly the type of fish:
I have been recommended the following:

in 200Ltank(50gallons, sorry im in the UK we do litres )

4 angelfish ( Pterophyllum scalare)
1 pair of Aequidens curviceps
1 pair of Aequidens maronii (Keyhole cichlid)
6 Ancistrus (plecos)

Are all plecos 'suckers' or am i being totally stupid?It just seems that 6 of these would be too many. any suggestions on replacements for some of these?
This is our preferred set up as my OH loves angelfish, but there are 2 other options, we have been recommended for beginners:

30gallon tank:
either:
1 pair of Archocentrus sajica (T-Bar cichlid)
1 pair of convicts (Archocentrus nigrofasciatus)
2 Hypostomus (plecos)
OR
1 pair of kribs (Pelvicachromis pulcher)
1 pair of African butterfly cichlids (Anomalochromis thomasi)
1 pair of Egyptian mouth-brooders (Pseudocrenilabrus multicolor)
4 Ancistrus (plecos)


Any help suggestions or critisism much welcomed

Thanks Sarah

I hope someone is joking about the Tbar etc in a 30 gallon, 130 gallon more like!

What dimensions has the 200l? That list may work - minus 4 of the ancistrus - but expect to end up with one pair of angels.

To be honest, if you haven't kept fish before, the decider is your tap water. It is much easier to keep fish that can thrive in conditioned tap water rather than having to deal with RO or buying prepared water.
It might be easier if you want a pet fish to just keep a single of one of the medium cichlids - say a geophagus braziliensis or a firemouth with a group of barbs - at least for a while until you gain a bit of experience & confidence.

Sue

 

[S Herbert]

Thanks Sue,

Why would i end up with only a pair of angels?
My tap water is hard water (ideal so i hear for cichlids)
Would it be too much then in your opinion the preffered option?I am willing to put the time and research in. we haven't bought a tank yet as we wanted to research what was required first. I realise the tank has to be tall for angels.
Thanks

 

[brewyn]

Hello s herbert, have you considered a malawi setup? you can choose from the mbuna cichlids which are rock dwellers, they are aggressive but with plenty of character and plenty to chose from, they are omnivores and eat a vegetable diet. or you could go for happs and peacocks that are from the same lake but they are open water fish (not much rock), they take much longer to grow to ther potential but you will end up with some superb fish in the long run. they are piscovores and eat other fish etc. obviously with such a variety of foods available, you will not need to feed them other fish. as far as tank sizes go for any cichlid, THE BIGGER THE BETTER. good luck with whatever cichlids you choose.

 

[diademhill]

Thanks Sue,

Why would i end up with only a pair of angels?
My tap water is hard water (ideal so i hear for cichlids)
Would it be too much then in your opinion the preffered option?I am willing to put the time and research in. we haven't bought a tank yet as we wanted to research what was required first. I realise the tank has to be tall for angels.
Thanks

Hard water suits rift lake cichlids, not South American species like angels or the African river species like Kribs.

Your choices lean towards either Tanganykans or Malawis and there are differences.
Always by the biggest tank you can afford & fit & longer is better than a cube for Africans. Avoid thin tanks as these are difficult to decorate.

 

[SamUK]

Thanks Sue,

Why would i end up with only a pair of angels?

youll find that eventually 2 will pair up and then when they spawn the others will get terrorized by the protective parents.

 

[jayjay]

i would suggest african lake fish from my owm experience i had trouble getting waters conditions lower. I find it's easiest to go with the kind of tap water you have rether than adjusting it, which can lead to you having to buy lot's of chemicals but if you personally belive you could control water conditions you could try