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I'm new to cichlids myself and have stocked it with Mbuna Cichlids this is what I have stocked in my tank: 3 Acei, 4 Kenyii, 3 Rusty Cichlids, 3 Cobalt Blues, and 5 Electric Yellows.

I have really grown to love them, as they make a really interesting tank. I find to most interesting part is them swimming in and out of caves that I have developed with some Texas Holey Rock. (I must thank John.Stone who gave me the fish and the stones to help set up this tank.)

I am finding them easy to maintain so far, and quite enjoyable.

Best of Luck in your decision...Heidi

Oh I'm attaching a pic of the tank...hml





heidi attached this image:


Last edited by heidi at 26-Dec-2004 17:25[/font]

"I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom." Thomas Carlyle

Chapman, any of those fish pictured above will do fine in a 40 gal. Also, check on aquabid, as they often have many different pelvicachromis for sale. As well as other West Africans. The common krib is Pelvicachromis pulcher. Some of the other krib related Pelvicachromis are taneatus (sp), humulis (sp), rofoli (sp), and others.

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There is always a bigger fish...

Ok, I think I settled on a school(9)of Tiger Barbs, and 1 Krib.

-Keith

http://www.ozarkgames.com

BTW, thanks for some ideas acidrain, as I've been looking into getting a 40g and looking for some different most unusual ideas.

I actually did want to go with a school of Tiger Barbs. Cichlids are a bit hard to come by here...and I am on a bit of a budget(forgot to mention that)right now. How many Tiger Barbs do you think I could handle? I had a small school once, and I kind of miss them.

My Betta died last night, and I am shutting down the 5 gallon.

-Keith #2

http://www.ozarkgames.com

if i was u i would make it a african tank easy to take care of

Actually his water parameters make a SA or CA, or West African tank very easily cared for. As the rift lake cichlids will be harder to care for, as they will need a higher ph.

Some more suggestions, if you want to change continents, are the West Africans. Your water is perfect for them. The West Africans are becoming the next fad in fish keeping. They are extremely colorful, have great personallities, and except for breeding are very docile for the most part. The majority stay under 5 inches, so you can have more of them.

A few pics of some West Africans available;
A pair of Pelvicachromis taneatus (3 inch full size), not in breeding colors, colors become more intense on the females when breeding;

A pair of Nanochromis transvestitus (4 inche full size), in breeding colors;

A male Pseudocrenilabrus nicholsi (males 2 inche full size, females 1-1/2 inch full size), females are more plain;

A pair of Steatocranus casuarius or buffalo heads (full grown male 4-5 inches, females 3 inches);

Hemichromis lifalili (full grown 3 inches), one of mine here;



And there are many more. . . . [/font][/font][/font][/font][/font]

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There is always a bigger fish...

Probably go for a larger species of Tetras, the really small ones will be eaten by your Raphael Catfish! tetras sleep at the bottom of the tank where the Raphael will be out hunting at night and then bye bye tetras

I would go for a species of Barb maybe as a schooler, as you said there are plenty of caves and fuileration so even if it is overstocked it wouldn`t be too bad (am not saying for everyone to over stock just in this case) and I believe you have to capabilities to keep nitrates and nitrites and ammonia down.

Have Fun

I believe there is room for a decent size shoal of harlequins. They're my favorite shoaling/schooling fish of the moment. The gourami's stay at the top and most dwarf cichlids stay at the bottom. Harlequins stay towards the middle so I'd say that should work just fine.

Thanks again for the replies. I am thinking of making it a community tank w/ some dwarf cichlids. As I said, I already have the pair of Blue Rams; I may get another pair of those, or a pair of Bolivians, or something like that.

How is this for a stock list:

1 Raphael Cat, 1 Golden Sucker, 1 Dojo Loach, 6 Peppered Cories, 1 BN, 2 Blue Rams, 2 Soon to be determined dwarf cichlids(rams), 1 Gold Gourami, and 1 Dwarf Gourami. Any room for a small school of dither fish; such as Neons, or Harlequins? Keep in mind the filtration is very good...now that I've said that, also keep in mind there is plenty of water movement; and places to hide.

Thanks again for the input. One of these days I'll have a Cichlid only tank.

-Keith #2


http://www.ozarkgames.com

I've been thinking about starting up a Cichlid tank in my 55 gallon. My pH is about neutral, and my water is a bit hard(12dGH). The tank already has a nice chunk of driftwood in it(no tannins, been there awhile), and I would add rock for caves and such. Are plastic plants OK, or will they most likely be dug up? I am currently running 2X 330 Penguin Filters, with aeration.

I am looking for more than one or two fish at adult size(I think I am, anyway). I would like to keep the Raphael Catfish currently in it(about 3+ inches now).

I need stocking suggestions, and tank setup suggestions, please. Won't be starting this for at least a few weeks.

George and Bob(my Fantails)are currently located in this tank; I've been contamplating letting them go, or putting them back into the 20 gallon alone(with heavy filtration)...until I can get a bigger tank(or indoor pond, after I move out next year sometime). The current residents of the 20 gallon will be traded at the LFS.

I have become bored with my 20 gallon, and 55 gallon tanks. I've always wanted to try a Cichlid tank(thought about an Oscar, but he'd outgrow the 55 gallon soon I imagine). Also, what kind of cleaning crew is compatible with your suggestions?

Thanks for your time, I appreciate it.

-Keith#2



http://www.ozarkgames.com

Are there any small schooling cichlids for this tank?

the only schooling cichlids that I'm aware of are Cyprichromis and Paracyprichromis species. I have a school of 8-10 Cyprichromis leptosoma 'Utinta' and they are gorgeous fish. they won't be easy to come by though. I got mine from a breeder in Cincinatti.

now, many african cichlids will live well in colonies but I'm not too experienced with Africans so I'll let others inform you on these.

For central americans you could do a colony of one species of Thorichthys (firemouths and relatives). there are several species that stay a bit smaller than firemouths and less aggressive. some that are a bit easier to find are T. aureum and T. maculipinnis.

also i think the gourami would be fineaslong as it was a fairly peaceful tank...i could be wrong, but as long as it was ok with the pH ect, then i dont know of any problemsit would cause

personally, i think the cat will be ok...also i dont know about schooling cichlids, but keyholes are great, i have a pair that i'm in love with. a couplepairs of dwarf cichlids would probably be your best bet, if your looking for cichlids...one thing to watch out for is over stocking your tank.

if i was u i would make it a african tank easy to take care of

Hey, thanks for the ideas! I am currently perusing that site you listed, Theresa. I have 2 Blue rams in the 20 gallon that I could move to the 55 to start off with. I think you are all right...I should go with smaller cichlids.

I have one large bush of Cryptocorne that has been in there for awhile, and I don't want to move it again if possible(melting). The rest of the plants are fake; there is also a large piece of African Driftwood in it. Can I keep the Raphael Cat? I have a BN already in it. How would Cories do(Peppered)in this tank? I'm getting a new heater(200W), as the current one(180W)has caused temp. fluctuations...and as a result, an Ich outbreak(not bad yet...but). I will be treating the tank BEFORE introducing any new fish(also wait for the new heater so temps are stable again).

Are there any small schooling cichlids for this tank? There will be quite a bit of fake plants, driftwood, pots, etc.(not to mention the big Crypto-bush); for the fish to hide/set up territories in. I will leave the dual Penguin 330's on for filtration(bio-wheels that are established).

Also, would either the GOld or Dwarf Gourami I have do well in this tank? If not, I will use them in trade for the future fish.

Thanks again everyone, I appreciate your thoughts and responses.

-Keith #2

http://www.ozarkgames.com

Some smaller cichlid ideas (non-tankbusters ):

keyhole
German or Bolivian ram
angel
festivum
checkerboard
apistogramma
flag acara (Laetacara curviceps) or L. dorsigera
rainbow

Also check [link=this site]http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/cookie_cutter_55g.php" style="COLOR: #336699[/link] for more info.

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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

I would go for 4-6 Keyholes and then quite a few Rams and a Plec then for something unusual at the bottom.

Hey GandB
I personally think a few Key Holes would do great in a 55g.

If you want smaller cichlids maybe heaps of Rams would be able to work.