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Can anybody suggest stocking ideas for a 50g tank? I've never kept cichlids before, so something that isn't extremely huge would help.

Also, I plan on it being the only fish in the tank, because I don't really like community tanks that much. Any thoughts or suggestions would be helpful. Thanks in advance!

A few Keyholes would do good in a 50g.

Is your water naturally hard and basic or soft and acidic?


If hard and alkaline, I'd suggest a breeding colony of either Neolamprologus leleupi (a beautiful bright orange fish often called the Lemon cichlid) or N. brichardi (a graceful white fish with blue iridescence and lovely tail extensions) or some Julidochromis species (gorgeous blakc and white or yellow and white patterned fish). A lot of rockwork and six to start (to insure a pair) and you'll have a lovely colony for years to come.

-Molly
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What colors of fish do you like? Do you want them to be active or fairly shy? Is the PH of your water over 7.5 (for africans) or lower for South American fish? Are you wanting cichlids that will eat other fish or mostly herbivores?

Is this a species that you may be wanting to sell fry from to help a bit with tank costs?

While most species can be kept in less than ideal parameters they will show better colors and behaviors in normal type surroundings.

Bdadawg

ya if community isnt your thing i would deffinetly go with a colony tank. its fun to watch generations of fish grow up with each other and have a peckign order. i think the brichardi would be a nice fish to go with, although personaly i like the Juli idea better. more my type of fish and they are puuuuurdy in a manly way heheh. brichardis all look like "princess'". dont get me wrong, deffinetly a nice fish. and a colony might actually be fun to watch i cant say i have seen one. now that i think about it, its a tough call...get both ! rofl..sorry...multiple tank syndrom kicking in pay no attention

Yeah. My water is hard. I forgot to mention that, and that was one of the main reasons I wanted to ask what kinds to get, because one of my friends told me that it makes a big difference.

And I think I wasn't really clear about it, but I only wanted one fish in the tank. I just don't want something that's going to get too large for the aquarium.

Better to ask now rather than learn the hard way later.