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Hi

Ive just set up my tank and so far have 4 peacock cichlids in there (3 females 1 male)

can anyone suggest any other colourful cichlids to add? and how many more i should get so i dont overstock?

also looking for some bottomfeeders.. can anyone suggest what would be safe to put in with the cichlids?

thanks!

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Truth doesn't always win friends but it influences them

What kind of peacocks?

im pretty sure they are grant's peacocks.. the guy at the fish shop just called them peacocks but the pic on this site for grant's peacocks match what mine look like..

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Truth doesn't always win friends but it influences them

Hi,
I wouldn't add any more peacocks species. If you didn't want to leave a breeding tank you could try add some cichlid to form a community with some risk involved. You could do some more malawi hapchromines species. Borleyi, lithobates, most of the Copadichromis group and other haps of that size. I would suggest to try for mostly males only and aviod mbuna species. Although a electric yellow will usualy work in a tank such as that.

For bottom feeders any smaller to med synodontis should work. Bn pleco also usually work in these tanks.

Doing a community is always a gamble. Just have a isolation tank and not be afraid to trade in certain fish to get a harmony balance.

your best bet would be a few yellow labs. a 55g tank is very easy to overstock. for bottomfeeders, i would go with synodontis petricola. in my opinion the best small cats for a cichlid tank. they stay small (3-4" and are pretty active, although some will hide a lot. get at least 3. they like to be in groups.
i cant recommend other haps becuase i think it will be too crowded. a few labs will add a lot of color and keep violence to a minimum. i have some bi-color 500 peacocks and the male is out of control when he wants to breed. very aggressive fish. doesnt bother my yellow lab at all.

Both great replies. If it were me, I would get a trio of lab caeruleus and a trio of Syno Multipunctatus, also a BN. Anyway, all suggestions above are fine. Lots and lots of caves. Dont skimp on the filtration. Good luck.

I would also go with a few Yellow Labs. but make sure you have some hiding places & don't overstock.


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I'm in for the yellows, and am in total agreement with Acei...Good post

Give them lots of caves, get a few brislte nose and be sure to leave an open space for those peacocks, as they come from the regions where rock/sand meet (Intermediate Zone) they really appreciate a bit of swimming space