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We recently set up a 29 gal tank and are in love with cichlids. I'm confused now <img src='/images/forums/crazy.gif' border=0>. Are the african breeds the less agressive? We have 2 Bummble Bees and a male and female Kennyi, plus 6 tetra. We originally wanted angelfish but now not sure what is best that we can add to this tank now. We also like gouramis, is this a compatible choice? any suggestions appreciated. thanks<img src='/images/forums/crazy.gif' border=0>

In many ways the Africans are less aggressive, or anyway differently aggressive. SA/CAs shouldn't be mixed with Africans because their water and dietary needs are vastly different, and they don't "speak each others' language."

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but those tetras need to be taken out of the tank - sooner or later, probably sooner, the mbuna you have are going to kill them.

The tank's smaller than I would have chosen to put Malawi cichlids in, I don't think you can add any more. And I wouldn't add a gourami or any other community fish, for that matter, because your mbuna are sure to kill it.

-Molly
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4 mbuna cichlids in a 29 gallon is plenty. i woundn't add anymore...and i'd definately take the tetras out.

i hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you should trade the kenyi and bumblebees in for about 6 electric yellows. the yellow labs (electric) should do ok in there alone. a 29 gallon tank is really too small to keep all but a few species of african cichlids. they work great for some tanganyikans like shell dwellers and comps/calvus among a few others. kenyi and crabro (bumblebee) are two of the top most aggressive africans. they are not very good beginner's fish because of their hyper aggressiveness and need for larger tanks. as soon as they get out of their juvinile state, they will become very aggressive and will start to kill each other off until there is one fish left. i know this from experience and other's stories. it isnt that bad because there are so many other malawi cichlids that are just as gorgeous. good luck and please ask more questions if you have them.

You can tone there aggresiveness down by adding alot, and I mean alot of rocks in the tank to. I have been keeping them for a couple years now, and I used to not have alot of rocks in with them. After I loaded the tank, they calmed down alot.

Yeah, 5-6 yellow labs tops in a 29 gallon and that might be pushing it IMO as they still reach 5". You'll need plenty of filtration. Crabo and Kenyii should definately be in a much larger tank.

from my experieces africans are much more agressive the south americans.