Cichlids

Hi everyone,

I am planning to start my first African Cichlid tank. I am doing extensive research so that I can be informed on which specific species to start with, their needs, water parameters, food, aqua scape, etc.

My question is, which is the smallest species from the African Cichlids that I can buy? And what is the smallest tank size I can get for that particualr species?

Your input will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

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Comment by Robert Jango on October 25, 2013 at 10:19am: I spoke to a few people at the Boston Aquarium Society meeting including the speaker. Most of the people answered to the effect, "What does he mean? There are hundreds of species... can he be more specific?" But the speaker gave me two suggestions. He said these were pretty common and relatively easy to keep. The first is a yellow fish "Aulonacara" and the second comes in various colors and belongs to the genus "Labidochromis". Wish I could add more info but I'm not really into "African cichlids.

Here's something to consider: You're not keeping fish; you're keeping water. We're really just "waterkeepers". I know the Africans like hard, alkaline water; so typical tap water should suffice. Look up your town's annual water report online and see if they add ammonia (some towns are doing this now) chlorine or chloramines. Also test your water from the tap before you dive in. They have test kits at Petco for ammonia (very important), nitrites, nitrates, PH and hardness. Adding rocks from outside won't be a problem either. Hopefully they become covered with algae. I can't say enough good things about this "plant". Your fish will thrive on it.

Comment by OceanLife69 on October 25, 2013 at 11:50am: Robert, as always, I am very greatfull for your reply with all of this great information. I have noted all of your input and I will provably start my project carefully and pantiently this weekened. I think I have substantial notes and I have done tons of research so that I can start this project right. I will be posting pictures and I may upload a vid on YT.

Thank you again!!

Comment by seth roach on October 26, 2013 at 2:46pm: So what kind of fish are you thinking of, are you thinking multiple species or just one....i dont really know all that much about all the different species and families of african cichlids its pretty much a whole science in itself... but i would first decide what you want this tank to look like there are lots of different styles of cichlid tanks. I have a pretty gangster colony of Neolamprologus brichardi which i have quickly grown to really enjoy. Ive gotten them to pair off into shells and am hoping for some little guys soon, one great thing about this peticular species is that they will live together and take care of eachothers young and live in multi-generational groups (from big old alpha male to young adults to fry) which is pretty uncommon in the cichlid world.....also they are pretty small mine are housed in a 55g containing 8 brichardi, a shoal of 10 congo tetras, a pair of pretty good sized silver dollars, a pleco, and a few loaches and tons of plants. Nobody gets excessively beaten up everything lives pretty harmoniously and it really doesnt take to much maintenance the worst is i usually top it off with like 1 bucket of water because its in my room and get loud and annoying if i dont but its open top i would have no issues if i had a lid.

Comment by seth roach on October 26, 2013 at 2:49pm: http://fishtanktv.com/photo/lookingood?context=user

http://fishtanktv.com/photo/5513?context=user#!/photo/neolamprologu...

Comment by OceanLife69 on October 27, 2013 at 3:07pm: Seth, thanks so much for your information man, I have noted it all. I Googled this Neolamprologus brichardi species and it looks like an amazing beautiful fish!! Wow!!

Do they like high PH just like the other species of cichlids? Robert also commented above that he was suggested by a speaker to try "Aulonacara" and "Labidochromis". I also did Google both of these fish and they looked so amazing as well!!

So far Seth, my mind is almost made up. I am thinking of getting the two type of Cichlids that Robert suggested to me as per the speaker, and the one that you suggested as well.

Would you happen to know if by keeping these three type of fish that all hell would not break loose at some point? I've learned by my research that if I put all of them together at some point, that they would grow accepting each other and not have much issues. The problems start when I wait too long to add other type of cichlids to my tank, once the tank has been stablished with a certain type of cichlids.

Thanks!!

Comment by seth roach on October 30, 2013 at 8:23pm: http://fishtanktv.com/photo/fish-attack?context=user my brichardi looked extra nice in this pic i snapped today so i figured id share it...camera is sort of doing his colors justice....

And as for the question on keeping all these bad boys together, once again i am not a cichlid pro. If it was me I would not mix aulonacara labs and neolamprologus...although they very well could be fine and dandy because pretty much everything is possible no matter what everyone on tank forums say. The reason i would not mix these is because aulonacaras and labs (Malawi) come from a different lake than the neolamprologus (Tanganyika). now i keep new world fish (south american) with my old world fish (African) so im not exactly the best preacher for this cause. but i really try not to mix cichlids from one area with ones from other areas. My reasoning for this is because, although i've always thought of extreme cichlid keeps as sort of the snobby my fish is better than your type people, cichlids really do have very spectacular personalities, quirks, and ways of interacting socially. And quite frankly when you mix lakes and sometimes even just species who live in the same area of the tank (your neolamps and labs would be competing for the same home and comfy areas) these characteristics just don't come out or at least not nearly as well. this being said it sounds like the aulonacara and labidochromis would be pretty good tank mates. just be aware of the fact you should be sure to create good spaces for each of the fish to enjoy...and most certainly dont rush into getting lots of different species because they are cool, I know it is REALLY hard not to do, they are pretty much all cool in some way or another but remember you can always get more tanks, and there is plenty of time to keep them all. having a bunch of really cool cichlid species in one tank will most likely just ruin the species for you, they all deserve their own chance in the spotlight....hahaha oh man now that i've blurbed all this crap out im beginning to realize im well on my way to becoming one of those cichlid guys....

Comment by OceanLife69 on October 31, 2013 at 9:34am: LOL!! You may very well become one Seth, these fish are addictive! lol! I just saw ONE video one day about cichlids, and I was blown away! These are amazing fish with amazing characteristics!!

I have finally completed my inspection of the tank and the "cosmetic" work that I had to performed to it so that I can add more years to the tank. Got it very cheap on Craigslist with furniture and all.

Anayways man, I am once again truly thankful for your reply and information. I have printed all your input so that I can add to my notes and make a decision on what to do.

Thanks.

Albert.

Comment by Gary Jewett on October 31, 2013 at 9:21pm: KGTropicals on Utube can cover all your questions on African cichlids. Rusty cichlids are the least agressive and grow to only 4 inches. 10 in a 30 long is ok, the more you have the less likely any one will be killed. Water changes and good filters are the key

Comment by OceanLife69 on November 1, 2013 at 8:59am: Gary, I truly appreciate your reply and great info., I will definitely check this channel out.

Thank you!

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