FishProfiles.com Message Forums

Hi,
I am currently setting up a 42gal tank 36L/ 15W / 18H and I am hoping to stock malawi cichlids. I have kept tropical fish for some years but never cichlids. Please please can you advise me on which fish i should stock (including other fish e.g the catfish / plec/syno). I want the tank top be very colourful and interesting. I like the idea of mouthbrooders, but i'm not sure if this tank is big enough., your help would be appreciated.

the tank is currently moderatly planted with some rocky areas, it has free swimming space aswell as hiding places, so from my research I think HAP's would be best but thats as far as my knowlege goes.
would like general community tank as my first attempt with cichlids.after that who knows!

I had heard about overstocking and adding all the fish at the same time...wont that be too much for the filter? i am using an eheim external pump and filter at the moment. should i add anything else? at the moment the tank is being cycled with a few guppies and a leopard plec from my general community tank. readingd from the test kit are fine so far. if i overstock how often should i do partial water changes?, how many fish should i stock and which ones get along "relatively" well together?

fish suggested to me by my local shop maidenhead aquatics have been:
Pseudotropheus saulosi
Labidochromis caeruleus "yellow morph"
Iodotroheus sprengerae
Labidochromis freibergi
Labidochromis spec."Hongi"
Tropheops spec. "yellow chin
Aulonocara baenschi "Benga", "Nkhomo
Aulonocara brevinidus
Aulonocara ethelwynnae
Aulonocara maylandi maylandi
Aulonocara maylandi kandeensis
Aulonocara spec. "Chitendi" types

i am looking at keeping only 2 species together with a 3 female to 1 male ratio? does this sound about right. what would you suggest as possible tankmates?. this tank is in my living room so i want something that will look good and provide alot of interest if you were setting this tank up which fish would you go for? i am such a newcommer to sichlids the choice is baffling

sorry for all questions.

sally

the best way to go i think would be the beginners setup. 2 species that compliment themselves very nicely and i try to recommend them to many peopel because of it.

[link=Yellow labs]http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=713" style="COLOR: #00FFFF[/link], this fish is kinda shy and stays close to the rocks unless there are other fish out. very mild agression and usually only within the species or similiar looking species.

[link=Yellow tailed Acei]http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1460" style="COLOR: #00FFFF[/link], these fish are very active in the open and even swimming up at the top level. they have a habit of schooling and bicker between themselves for rank within the pack.they are purple bodies with yellow tails, these colors are artisticly sound together.their activity will bring the shy yellow labs out of hideing.

they both share the same diet and are perfect for each other. many beginners start here not because of the ease of care and lack of agression but more because of the colors and the high activity of the acei getting the yellow lab to feel calm.

this is just basic information and the link will bring you to more basic information. both of these fish are very common and as far as cichlids go arnt very expensive.

hope this helps and enjoy your cichlids which ever species you go with. ill be happy to help the best i can if you need more info or some links with more detailed info.

Sin in Style

I'll second that recommendation

I've also found that Ps. Saulosi works well with either of those species.

Being as your tank is 3' I'd say keep the numbers lower, but you can do it. A 55g, is the best minumum.

But if you get two species, as SIN mentioned, having 3 of each should do O.K.

I'd also stay away from any bottom feeders in the 3'.
Just keep it clean

Good Luck

I have to agree with Sin. Those are two of the five types of cichlids that I have in my 55 tank. Make sure to create some hiding places, and holes to swim through. It helps with the agression that they can show towards one another. That and I really enjoy watching them go in and out...My Aceis have a lot of personality as do the Labs, but the labs are quite beautiful, and won't feed from my hands yet, while the Aceis will (beware of small object, they are not careful in their eating habits ). I just tend to feed the the Cichlid pellets by Tetra, and veggies, zuchinni, carrots, peas...they are favorites...best of luck and enjoy!

Oh heck a chance to show off mine!!!



heidi attached this image:


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