African Cichlids
- Thread starter Danabobana
- Start date
African cichlids usually refers to rift lake cichlids and more specifically mbuna. Not always but that's usually what people mean when they say african cichlids.
WIth that in mind, a great stock list for a 55 gallon is
yellow labs (Labidochromis Caeruleus)
Ps Acei ( Pseudotropheus Acei)
Rusties(Iodotropheus sprengerae)
With 5 of each aiming for 1 male per 4 females. These species aren't too picky about the gender ratios though. They are colorful and some of the more peaceful mbuna.
Another good option for mbuna is a lab/demasoni tank.
15 Pseudotropheus demasoni with 6-7 yellow labs. It's a stunning tank full of color and activity.
WIth that in mind, a great stock list for a 55 gallon is
yellow labs (Labidochromis Caeruleus)
Ps Acei ( Pseudotropheus Acei)
Rusties(Iodotropheus sprengerae)
With 5 of each aiming for 1 male per 4 females. These species aren't too picky about the gender ratios though. They are colorful and some of the more peaceful mbuna.
Another good option for mbuna is a lab/demasoni tank.
15 Pseudotropheus demasoni with 6-7 yellow labs. It's a stunning tank full of color and activity.
Would you say its best to get them as juveniles? What is a good water temp?
This is my first tank, so any information you can give to me would be much appreciated. Thanks!
This is my first tank, so any information you can give to me would be much appreciated. Thanks!
It'll be best to get them as juveniles. They will be a lot cheaper that way and as they grow you can pick out the ones that are meaner or don't look as nice. I keep my mbuna at 75 degrees. They also appreciate lots of hiding places. Most people use rock and stack it up to replicate how they live in the wild. They also like hard water with high PH.
A ratio of 4 females/1 male is a good rule of thumb and also remember that a slight overcrowding with also qwell some of the aggresion as they get mature. I would definately get juviniles as you could easily spend $20-$30 per fish for the ones mentioned as adults, namely the Damasoni.
Thank you for all the information!! When I have the tank all set up I will try to post some pictures.
I really like the Julies, and shell dwellers very cool and interesting fish from the rift lakes.
The Julies are fun and attractive rock dwelling, kind of torpedo shaped fish from Lake Tanganyika, there are several species, all are quite colorful my favorite is julidochromis marlieri (Gombe)
Of the shell dwellers my favorite is the Lamprologus Caudopunctatus, these fish have the habit of finding a shell that is no longer in use
and taking it for their home, They will also stake out a small territory in your tank, and guard that like a bulldog, but ive experienced no fish losses due to this behaviour, and in a 30 gal or larger tank you could easily accomodate several individuals, as long as you supply enough empty shells, they are picky lol.
The Julies are fun and attractive rock dwelling, kind of torpedo shaped fish from Lake Tanganyika, there are several species, all are quite colorful my favorite is julidochromis marlieri (Gombe)
Of the shell dwellers my favorite is the Lamprologus Caudopunctatus, these fish have the habit of finding a shell that is no longer in use
and taking it for their home, They will also stake out a small territory in your tank, and guard that like a bulldog, but ive experienced no fish losses due to this behaviour, and in a 30 gal or larger tank you could easily accomodate several individuals, as long as you supply enough empty shells, they are picky lol.