American or African - Which is best?

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octofasciatus

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Mar 15, 2007
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Just inherited a 150 gallon (6x2x2) tank that I plan to keep cichlids in, I love the colours of the Aficans but enjoy the personalaties of the Americans. This will be a first for me as I am new to cichlids and have previously and currently kept catfish.
So... from your experiences which will give me the most pleasure, I would especially appreciate advice from those who have kept both.
Many thanks.

I have posted this thread in the African forum also.
 
Well for starters thats a 180 gallon tank. Second it depends what you enjoy. Do you enjoy a ton of fish swimming around that are pretty outgoing, or do you enjoy big lunkers with their individual personalities that greet you when you walk by the tank?

the first is an african tank, second would be a sa/ca cichlid tank.

I think africans are more expensive though too. I just set up a 55 with a peacock breeding community and it cost 10 dollars per peacock baby and I needed around 10. Some sa/ca cichlids would cost a lot, but IMO you can get juvies for about $10 and you don't need as many (maybe 5-6 fish in a 180 unless you really overstock).


Its completely up to you though. Look at picture threads and find some fish that are appealing to you.
 
Thanks - Price wise it varies quite a bit for fish. My LFS stocks various Malawis at about 1-2 inches for £4.50 per fish (not sure in $). also I can pick up similar size Oscars, Jack Dempseys etc for £6-10. I am leaning towards American at moment but would still appreciate advice from those in the know.
 
Personally I like american more, but africans are still nice. They just don't have the personality that my tankbusters do. It seems the africans will hide when I get too close to the tank, but the americans are quite the opposite. They stare at you wherever you go, following you when you walk across the room.
 
Incidently - Which Catfish will work best with American Cichlids
 
A quick pimelodella species, a pictus or something like that. You might be able to have a lima shovelnose, but that would really be pushing it. I have heard they stop growth at about 2 feet, but that would be cutting it close with only 2 feet wide.

You could probably do a synodontis species if your water is above 7 pH and a little harder. But the best would probably be a pimelodella, and then synodontis sp. (not the upside down catfish though because they are too small.)
 
I have kept both africans and Ca/SA. Africans are kind of oblivious to whats going on outside there tank except at feeding time. They tend to just swim and chase each other around. they have alot of nice colors though and you can probably get much more activity in the tank with a bunch of those.

On the other hand the Ca/Sa do get bigger and you cant get as many but they will be very aware of there surroundings. They will watch you as much as you watch them.

I personally like the Ca/Sa's better because the of the interaction.
 
In terms of getting the most pleasure - I think a fish that interacts with you would be better than a fish that just looks nice. Have i pretty much summed up this argument?
 
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