What Should I Get?

[sweet-like-coco]

I really love the look of colourful fish and this is why i want to have african cichlids in my tank. However, i would also like to have some schooling fish in my tank. What kind of african cichlids would be ok with tetras? I know oscars are a no no. I think I will end up getting a large tank (initially i thought about the juwel rio 180 but i think i am going to go for the rio 400). The reason i was going to go for the 180 is because of lack of space but then i thought why not just block off one of the two balcony doors and have more room for my tank. the doors will be fully closed and there is a 100 percent block out blind so they will not be in direct sunlight or a breeze. Will this be ok? Sorry if I am bombarding everyone with questions!

Thank you for being patient with a newbie like me!

 

[james_fish]

You could try some Kribensis? Colourful, attractive & a lovely fish to keep.
What size tank have you currently got? Or have you not set up yet?

James.

 

[sweet-like-coco]

No I am nowhere near ready to set up. I am still researching. I will probably be getting a Juwel Rio 400 so it should be big enough for my cichlids to be happy. Having said that I just realized that I cant have angel fish and African cichlids together and I am a little disappointed as I really like angel fish as well. But since I really like colour I will have to make the sacrifice hehe

Also, I read that you shouldn't have plants if you plan on keeping mbunas is this true? I saw some videos on youtube that have plants and they look so much better...

Sorry if my questions seem silly to you!

 

[hotdogoramer]

No I am nowhere near ready to set up. I am still researching. I will probably be getting a Juwel Rio 400 so it should be big enough for my cichlids to be happy. Having said that I just realized that I cant have angel fish and African cichlids together and I am a little disappointed as I really like angel fish as well. But since I really like colour I will have to make the sacrifice hehe

Also, I read that you shouldn't have plants if you plan on keeping mbunas is this true? I saw some videos on youtube that have plants and they look so much better...

Sorry if my questions seem silly to you!

Most mbunas will dig up the plants, so it would be pointless, unless you put rocks around the base of the plant, so they have no way to dig around it and they cant rip it out. you will need some tough plants for that.

 

[sweet-like-coco]

Any recommendations for plants?

 

[BigIan]

for tough plants

any form of crypt and anubias,

 

[sweet-like-coco]

Thank you for your help you have been amazing!

 

[kribensis12]

Basically, all cichlids will eat tetras. It's the norm. I would highly recommend Pelvicachromis pulcher a.k.a. Kribensis Cichlids. They are very intuitive, colorful fish. If you got something like a shoal of Lemon Tetra's, you should be fine. But neons and the like wont make it.