Thinking About Switching To Cichlids

[panboy]

I have had a planted tank for some time, and I think I am about to switch to cichlids.

I usually end up spending more time with my plants, and it seems like I don't enjoy the fish as much.
I have always loved cichlids, as well as planted tanks, and since I put so much work into my planted tank and am never happy wiht it, I think I am ready for a cichlid tank.

I've been reading some articles, but it's still a big change, and it seems like I am lost compared to the planted world.
anything important I should know?

It seems pretty straight forward as long as I can pick out the correct fish for each other.

BTW, i have a 46g with a 96w 6500k CompactFlourescent. Is the tank large enough for their aggression? How about the light?

 

[j.c]

I have had a planted tank for some time, and I think I am about to switch to cichlids.

I usually end up spending more time with my plants, and it seems like I don't enjoy the fish as much.
I have always loved cichlids, as well as planted tanks, and since I put so much work into my planted tank and am never happy wiht it, I think I am ready for a cichlid tank.

I've been reading some articles, but it's still a big change, and it seems like I am lost compared to the planted world.
anything important I should know?

It seems pretty straight forward as long as I can pick out the correct fish for each other.

BTW, i have a 46g with a 96w 6500k CompactFlourescent. Is the tank large enough for their aggression? How about the light?

yeah the tank is fine but say goodbye to most of your plants as you can only have vallsneria java moss anubius and a few more!!

good luck

 

[panboy]

Haha, Ya I know the plants will have to go. I plan on going with mostly rock work, but still.... reserach needs to be done.

What are mbuna fish? and theire difference bettwen malawi non-mbuna? they keep getting mentioned in articles

 

[Ferris]

Mbuna (meaning rock-dweller) is the name of several Cichlid species endemic to Lake Malawi. There are many different Mbuna species and as a general rule they are all aggressive, territorial fish.

They are best kept in tanks of 40 gal +, which include plenty of caves and rockwork, there are very few other fish that are compatible with Mbuna so they should only be kept in a Mbuna only tank with a few catfish such as the Synodontis species and some Plecs being the only exceptions to this rule.

Mbuna are mostly herbivourous and diet should be carefully researched when keeping this fish, as should compatibility as whilst Mbuna are all aggressive, there are many different levels of temperament ranging from the fairly docile Yellow labs to the highly aggressive Pseudotropheus Demasoni and Melanochromis Chipokae.

Both your tank and light are fine, although the lighting may provoke excessive algae growth without any plants. Algae however is a natural part of many Mbuna species diet.