Anyone else find africans boreing compared to Central/SA Cichlids?

[WildCAught]

Africans are some of the most beautiful fish around. When people ask me if there are any colorful fish that they could keep that would look good in a mock saltwater setup I recommend Africans. Pound for pound they are also the most aggressive freshwater fish. I have yet to find a ca/sa under three inches that could beat an auratus. Festae, convicts, grammodes, Dovii, Motaguense, All are kept in check. Thats been my experience and no exaggeration.

... but they just don't have the same personality. I have kept them from time to time but they just don't have the "IT"... for me, Maybe not you.

Here's the way I see it. A common peacock african or venustus is way more "beautiful" than a fish like a beani, grammodes or Dovii. But they're supeficial, their beauty is noticed immediately. If you really look at the intricacies of some CA/SA patterns they are insane and can't be noticed with a quick glance. Look at some of aquamojo's pics! When you really get up close you can truely appreciate the beauty.

I prefer CA's over Africans. It's a personal preference. I sometimes ask keepers of the Africans Why they prefer them and I've noticed many say because CA/SA's get too big.

To each his own but nothing will beat having a beautiful fish that you probably won't find at your LFS! Whether its African or CA/SA.

 

[dyajz]

i perfer SA/CA over Africans any day..I've kept Frontosas to peacocks to tropheous..and they just dont give me that feeling of attachment like how I have with my SA/CA & hybrids(FH)..but I would like to own a Butti or Buttekoferi..heard they have the same attitude as SA/CA's..till then I'd stick with new worlds =P

 

[gomezladdams]

I keep both I do feel more attached to some of my sa fish than the africans.
Mbuna are like pokemon catchem tradem gotta catchem all! The colors are insane and the amount of action in a mbuna tank is awesome!
But you can see from my avatar who is still my favorite

 

[ewok]

CA and SA for me.
but honestly if i had a preference i would keep cichlids from all over... african, CA, SA, malagasy... it don't matter.

african cichlids have different lifestyles and habbits compared to CA and SA. however there are plenty of west african who rival SA dwarf cichlids in terms of colors etc. i think they are all interesting in their own way. i wouldn't have any issues keeping discus, apistos, monster CAs, rare SAs, rift valley cichlids etc.

cichlids are #1 in my book. always.

 

[BassMan]

Great thread topic.... I must agree. I have always preferred SA to African.
Although it would be simply awesome to go diving at Malawi or Tanginika Lake (spelling) and see some of these fish in their natural enviroment.

Ad Konings Shots look wicked.

However I would feed Africans to my Peacock Bass any day of the week.

 

[andyourblueblood]

i think people should give africans a chance. take the time to learn about them! you'll enjoy it more. im learning it just to know, just to further my knowledge. turns out there are some f'n bad ass africans!!!!!! really look into them learn the species! they are pretty cool! i still prefer my s.a. and c.a. but africans are still pretty kick ass.

 

[MDH]

CA/SA over africans.

As most of you have already stated, the africans are great to look, but how can you compete with the personality you get from say an RD? The insane attidude of a breeding pair?!?

 

[bolty]

I both have the PRO's and CONs, just got to weigh it-up which is best for you

tapeworm - that txt is crap!
looks like 1 big long word , and unless I squash my fase to the monitor I cant even read it

 

[king_puma9]

I originally started out with africans in a 55 gal and loved them, and still do today. However, I spent close to 2 years finally getting the tank stocked with the Africans to bring a balance without too much aggression or at least it was spread about. Now that I have Oscars, I love it. These guys are like puppies compared to my africans. Furthermore I dont have to pull out my hair or try to get another home for the beasts. I do realize these are just O's and not some of the other monsters many have on this site.

With those things being said I like both, but love my O's.

 

[Steve p]

I have both african and CA/SA cichlids, At present i would say i prefere CA/SA but i'm what i consider a fady person and it won't be long before i'm all for the africans again so i would not consider getting rid of either (unless i find a nice Red Terror that needs a grow out tank then the africans would be moved on).

Steve