Stocking

[Loupe]

I have an empty tank available and have ordered a Fluval 304 Canister filter for it. I am intrested in either Lake Malawi or Tanganyika biotopes.
The dimensions of my tank are: 36 by 18 by 18 inches. I know nothing about cichlids at all. The ones I like the look of are Auratus, Frontosas (know they get far to big.), Lamprologus tretacephaleus, Tropheus moorii, Tropheus duboisii, Demansonis, Labidochromis caeruleus, Pseudotropheus zebra, Sciaenochromis ahli and Nimbochromis venustus. That is purely on looks. I know I don't have a huge tank, but I owuld love a cichlid tank.
Thanks,
James.

 

[vantgE]

since none else has helped you i'll give it atry

i'm thinking the first thing you have to do is decide what group of fish you want

there are three african lakes the most popular are lake malawi and lake tangyika(sp?) tangyika, now i don't know much about tangykan but i'll give you this link

out of the fish youv'e chosen there two tropheus are from tangika and the frontosa's(which wouldn't fit as you know)

if you choose lake malawi, you have the choice of setting up a mbuna aquarium(rockdwelling species) or a haplichromine or utaka aqurium (open water malawi cichlids)

mbuna aquariums are setup with large rockpiles, (auratus, lbaidochromis caeruleus, pseodothrohtesus zebra, and scienchromis ahli demasonis are from here) while non-mbuna obviously prefer more open area (nimbochromis venustus-)

It is not recomended that you mix species from different habitats mostly because of varying temperment levels, and the lakes parameters differ

so choose what you want first and their are many other nice african species that you haven'y mentioned but those are common ones

heres a place to do some research before you decide

http/www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/ <a href='http/www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/' target='_blank'>http/www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/ </a>

and for your water all africans ccihlids live in a hard acidic water, which varies between the lakes

 

[thecichlidaddict]

Hey VantageE

Congrats, you just chose all the fish that won't work very well in that tank!

The Zebra and Lab. Caeruleus are the only fish on that list that I would put in a 3 foot tank.


But never mind that, you do have other options.

There is a pretty big difference between Tanganyikan and Malawi setups. Malawi fish tend to be more colorful and active, and do better in higher numbers. All in all they are better for show tanks, or those who like a busy aquarium. In general they are hardier then Tangs, and better for beginners because of this.

Tanganyikans are more of hobbiests fish. These fish are very rewarding to keep but don't have the 'wow' factor that Malawi's do when people first see the tank. Because of their aggression when breeding and the tendancy to take large territories, these tanks are generally much less busy then Malawi tanks. They are typically more bland in color, though there are still some beauties from this lake. Tangs have some of the most unique species of cichlid available in the hobby, but unfortunately these are also often tempermental and delicate. The most common rock dwelling species tend to be pretty robust though.

IMO the average fish keeper would be happier with fish from Malawi.

 

[Snowie]

I think there are plenty of great Tangs (ok im biased but who isnt). Okay they dont have amazing color but they make up for it in behavior.

First of all Frontosas get BIG i strongly advice you not to take these.

There are several small shelldwellers that can live in small tanks. They are one of the smallest cichlids in the world. Simlis here is a good example:

Julidochromis should be kept in pairs (agressive towards introuders of their own species). Otherwise ive never had a problem with mine.

But even if i cant convince you to take these fish do NOT take Tropeus. They are not for beginers, they are quite expensive, need a big school and a large tank. Not a good beginner fish.

 

[Loupe]

Thank you all for your help.