Cichlids vs Tropical

[The-Raven]

I'm considering getting starting up a cichlid tank, because i'm sick of looking at them in the store and realizing that i can't have them in my current set up.

Are there any hardware differences I should take into account other than tank size?

 

[The-Raven]

Another quick question, what in my current set up could i keep in my cichlid tank?

I'm asking more specifically about cories or ottos - since theyd be the only bottom feeders in the tank

 

[Ben]

FYI cichlids are tropicals
but if you want to keep your current stock you can get dwarf cichlids which are peaceful cichlids
a list of a fish you can have
Blue/Gold Rams,
Apistogramma(basically any type)
Keyhole Cichlids
Kribensis
and much more

You could fit three pairs of the fish listed into your tank but 2 pairs would be prefered(these fish like to stick in pairs except apistos which like to be in trios,1male 2females,but count as a pair)
These fish dont exceed 6 inches and make a good addition to the the community tank
HTH
DD

 

[The-Raven]

FYI cichlids are tropicals
but if you want to keep your current stock you can get dwarf cichlids which are peaceful cichlids
a list of a fish you can have
Blue/Gold Rams,
Apistogramma(basically any type)
Keyhole Cichlids
Kribensis
and much more

You could fit three pairs of the fish listed into your tank but 2 pairs would be prefered(these fish like to stick in pairs except apistos which like to be in trios,1male 2females,but count as a pair)
These fish dont exceed 6 inches and make a good addition to the the community tank
HTH
DD

i meant what - other than cichlids - that i have, coudl be kept in a cichlid tank. I only ask because my cories and ottos keep the bottom/my plants clean, and unfortunately in terms of bottoms feeders, they're all that my LFS has to offer. I wish I could say that the plecos that they have are pretty enough to own...

I'd rather have 100 albino cories than 1 pleco as far as the choices in my LFS are concerned.. the ones they have look like rocks, and if i wanted moving rocks... well i wouldn't be in the fishkeeping hobbie would I...

 

[The-Raven]

BTW, I guess I should add that all of the cichlids offered at my LFS look exactly like yellow labs just different colors... some look purple, some are striped, some are just plain black...

 

[Ferris]

BTW, I guess I should add that all of the cichlids offered at my LFS look exactly like yellow labs just different colors... some look purple, some are striped, some are just plain black...

OK they sound like Mbuna, which means that none of your current fish would be compatible. Your current tank size is perfect for an Mbuna community but they are seriously agressive fish and must be kept in a species tank. Catfish can be added but carefully, Synodontis and large plecs are the sensible choice, certainly nothing small like corys and ottos.

If you are interested check out the pinned article in the African forum.

 

[The-Raven]

how many would you say that i could put in a 55?

I was thinking only 10, considering the fact that they get to be about 5 inches each... and I've read that overcrowding slightly is good for a mbuna tank

 

[Ferris]

You can actually put around 15 Mbuna in a 55 gal as they do need to be overstocked. You need good filtration and you need to research your fish carefully to ensure compatibility.

If done properly thought they are wonderful fish to keep, bags of personality and you won't be dissapointed.

 

[The-Raven]

well i plan on getting all mbunas, so compatibility isn't something I worry too much about... and why would i need better filtration than I would in say, the setup in my signature?

 

[Ferris]

When i say compatibility, I mean within the Mbuna group. Not all Mbuna are compatible with each other as their levels of agression vary. You need to ensure that the different species you want will be OK with each other, hence the need for careful research.

Your sig doesn't say what filtration you have but the basic rule is make sure you have more than you would normally need to cope with the waste levels. For example, I use Fluval + internal filters. For a 55 gal community tank, i would only need a Fluval +3. I have also added a Fluval +2 to cope with the Mbuna stock levels. I also do 25-30% weekly water changes. Basically you will be overstocking your tank to spread the Mbuna agression around and this will require extra filtration to balance the tank. If you don't overstock the tank, you will almost certainly have territorial agression problems.

 

[Ferris]

MODS - if you spot this, it could do with moving to the African section as The Raven will get more help there.

Raven - Just suggested this as you'll get loads of help and advice in the African forum as most of the regulars there keep Mbuna...hope thats OK.

 

[The-Raven]

I only have one more quick question... when I do stock my tank... should I do all of them at once? I've found that if I try to do the 2-3 at a time thing then they are aggressive to the new guys in other tropicals...

I think I'm going to put my cichs in the current cycled 55, and put my tropicals that I have now in a 29 or something.

 

[Ferris]

I would add as many as you can in 1 go so they all start off as new fish. It can be hard to add fish to a Mbuna tank as the new guy(s) can get picked on. When you do want to add additional fish to an Mbuna tank, i'd reccommend juveniles as they will not be perceived as a threat.

As your tank is already cycled you should have no problem adding a lot of fish in 1 go.