New to cichlids

[Tyler777]

My wife n I want to start a cichlids tank tomorrow. The tank is a 46 gallons n is cycled already. I have a pleco n a siamese algae eater in there. Don't ask nout why having a pleco it will get too big. I know I have to find someone with a bigger tank to take it in.
Anyhow, we r planning to go get some cichlids tomorrow, my question is ... do normal water parameters for a fresh water community tank be ok for cichlids ?, do cichlids be ok n get along with the pleco n the siamese algae eater ?
Can I add a red tailed black shark in it with the cichlids ?

I would appreciate any advice n answers. Thank you

 

[GaryE]

Ditch the word Cichlids.

It's a huge group and there are no rules for it, other than to decide which Cichlid or Cichlids appeal, and learn about them on a case by case basis. How you keep a South American rainforest species would kill an east African Lake Cichlid, and vice versa. You set tanks up in different ways for different species.

It's a bit like saying you want to know how to keep birds. If you are thinking geese, and I am thinking canaries, my advice is going to be harmful.

One rule that doesn't change is no competition. Almost all Cichlids are territorial about the bottom of the tank. Red tailed sharks are territorial about the bottom too. They should not be put together, or you have created a fighting zone rather than a community tank. That's one of the basic mistakes people make, and one that has ruined the enjoyment of many set ups.