Cichlids for the community tank.?

[Fat Boy]

Just wondering which cichlids would be accetable for a community tank, i would like a peaceful tank ( 4 ft, 42 UK gallons ) with clown loaches and gouramis. I would be gratful if you guys could give me a few ideas. Thanks.

 

[rollntider]

rams or Kribs of the same sex

 

[thecichlidaddict]

Keyhole cichlids tend to make excellent community tankmates.

 

[Fat Boy]

Thanks for the replys, My local LFS hasn't any keyholes, but has some nice Electric Yellows, would these be ok ? and do they have any special needs.?

 

[thecichlidaddict]

Yellow Labs may work, but you do put the other fish at risk. Mbuna are best kept amongst their own kind.

 

[cichlidtank]

My girlfriend's first tank had a yellow electric in it (at the time she had no idea about mbuna disposition). The little yellow son of a gun (he was only an inch long), killed 2 neon tetra, 1 black angel fish, 1 glass fish, 1 tiger barb, 1 molly and bullied a pleco. All of the fish were its relative size, except the pleco which was 2 or 3 inches long. Yes, he was one hell of a killer, so I would advise against introducing any kind of mbuna to a community tank.

 

[cichlidtank]

Go with the blue german rams! They like special water conditions but are really great fish.

 

[Ferris]

I'd reccomend Firemouths, they are wonderful fish and will do fine in a community tank. I would avoid a male and female combination though, as with all Cichlids they breed freely and become extremely aggresive during this time. 1 on its own will be fine or 2 males/females.