New 55G

livebearer_love · 12-15-2007, 06:28 AM

I recently got a new 55 gallon and have begun cycling it. I have 2 sword plants, java moss, java fern, Anubias, anacharis and a corkscrew val. planned to go in there. What would be some easy to care for SA cichild combinatons I could put in? Or just easy to care for individual cichlid suggestions.
And what about some African cichlid combinations?
Thanks

**JustOneMore20** · 12-15-2007, 10:20 AM

Do you want a community tank or cichlids only? Would you rather have some large cichlids or a bunch of smaller ones? What about aggression? Do you care to have fish chasing each other all the time or would that bother you?

Some of the smaller SA cichlids would be fine with plants. Some of the larger ones may dig the plants up. African Mbuna are prone to eating plants (although Anubias and Java fern and maybe Vals would be safe). They also dig.

livebearer_love · 12-15-2007, 05:39 PM

i'd rather have a bunch of small cichlids and I don't want too much aggression. The tank would be cichlids only ecept maybe 1 school of none cichlid fish.

**JustOneMore20** · 12-15-2007, 06:57 PM

If you want to go with African Mbuna, you should have just them and no non-cichlids, unless you can find some small Synodontis catfish.

They are pretty aggressive though and you'll have to be careful which ones you put together.

I suggest getting 4-6 of 3-4 types of Mbuna. Stay away from "mixed African" tanks as usually there are alot of hybrids and you have no idea of their aggression level.

Some less aggressive Mbuna are Yellow Labs (L. caeruleus), Rusty Cichlids, Acei, Labidochromis sp. "Hongi", and Labidochromis sp. "Perlmutt".

Another option would be to go with an all male Peac*ck tank (Aulonocara species): http://www.cichlidforum.com/profiles/category.php?cat=3. They are less aggressive than most Mbuna, so I wouldn't suggest mixing the 2.

Another option is a Tanganyikan tank (I'd recommend)....with a school of Cyprichromis leptosoma, some shell dwelling Neolamprologus multifasciatus, and a pair or 2 of Julidochromis.

I've had Mbuna and have since gotten rid of them. They tried to kill each other (sometimes succeeded) and I couldn't handle that.

Gourami Swami · 12-15-2007, 10:18 PM

If you want a bunch of small fish, go with mbuna. Listen to kristin, im a big fish guy

12-15-2007, 06:28 AM	#1
livebearer_love I luv all freshwater fish Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 64	New 55G I recently got a new 55 gallon and have begun cycling it. I have 2 sword plants, java moss, java fern, Anubias, anacharis and a corkscrew val. planned to go in there. What would be some easy to care for SA cichild combinatons I could put in? Or just easy to care for individual cichlid suggestions. And what about some African cichlid combinations? Thanks __________________ Bowls are for cereal, not for fish! Last edited by livebearer_love; 12-15-2007 at 06:35 AM.

12-15-2007, 10:20 AM	#2
JustOneMore20 Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Birmingham, AL Age: 22 Posts: 3,563	Do you want a community tank or cichlids only? Would you rather have some large cichlids or a bunch of smaller ones? What about aggression? Do you care to have fish chasing each other all the time or would that bother you? Some of the smaller SA cichlids would be fine with plants. Some of the larger ones may dig the plants up. African Mbuna are prone to eating plants (although Anubias and Java fern and maybe Vals would be safe). They also dig. __________________ *Kristin* 5 Planted tanks: 55g, 40g, 29g, 20g, 5.5g

12-15-2007, 05:39 PM	#3
livebearer_love I luv all freshwater fish Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 64	i'd rather have a bunch of small cichlids and I don't want too much aggression. The tank would be cichlids only ecept maybe 1 school of none cichlid fish. __________________ Bowls are for cereal, not for fish!

12-15-2007, 06:57 PM	#4
JustOneMore20 Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Birmingham, AL Age: 22 Posts: 3,563	If you want to go with African Mbuna, you should have just them and no non-cichlids, unless you can find some small Synodontis catfish. They are pretty aggressive though and you'll have to be careful which ones you put together. I suggest getting 4-6 of 3-4 types of Mbuna. Stay away from "mixed African" tanks as usually there are alot of hybrids and you have no idea of their aggression level. Some less aggressive Mbuna are Yellow Labs (L. caeruleus), Rusty Cichlids, Acei, Labidochromis sp. "Hongi", and Labidochromis sp. "Perlmutt". Another option would be to go with an all male Peacck tank (Aulonocara species): http://www.cichlidforum.com/profiles/category.php?cat=3. They are less aggressive than most Mbuna, so I wouldn't suggest mixing the 2. Another option is a Tanganyikan tank (I'd recommend)....with a school of Cyprichromis leptosoma, some shell dwelling Neolamprologus multifasciatus, and a pair or 2 of Julidochromis. I've had Mbuna and have since gotten rid of them. They tried to kill each other (sometimes succeeded) and I couldn't handle that. __________________ Kristin* 5 Planted tanks: 55g, 40g, 29g, 20g, 5.5g

12-15-2007, 10:18 PM	#5
Gourami Swami Supreme Dictator For Life Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Somewhere out Yonder... Posts: 1,106	If you want a bunch of small fish, go with mbuna. Listen to kristin, im a big fish guy __________________

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