balance in an african cichlid tank...

[id10t]

She Who Must Be Obeyed has stated she wants some African Cichlids in my new tank...
Tank is about 35 gallons (36lx12wx20h) so I'd like to max out at 6 or 7 fish...

To get started with 2 or 3 fish, should I buy pairs, or singles of different species, or what? If possible, should I try for all males? Not interested in breeding, etc....

Also, if I've had a few fish in the tank for a while (say, in a few months down the road), when I want to add new ones would it be ebst to rearrange the tank so *everyone* is looking for a new territory ro what?

Thanks

 

[merc123]

I've had 5 in a 30 gallon tank then moved them into a 125. I bought 5 different ones because I'm not interested in breeding. They were small and so far 4 of the 5 have turned out to be males. They have "grown up" together over the past few months and don't really fight at all. None of them have definite territories and they just chase each other out of the spot they want at any given time.

You can buy pairs but if they are both males then you may have problems in the future.

 

[straitjacketstar]

Depends on what African cichlid you're talking about. Most popular Tanganyikan and West/East African cichlids are pairing fish. Those from Lakes Malawi and Victoria are polygamous.
A 35 gallon tank isn't much room for the more colorful and active species from Malawi or Victoria but there are some dwarf species which may suit you and 6 or 7 of them would be a perfect number.
I would advise some Pseudotropheus saulosi. This species has blue barred males and solid orange/yellow females, giving the illusion of two different species. Spawning will occur but you don't have to exhert any effort in saving fry if you don't want to.

 

[gomezladdams]

Saulosi are great fish,the dominant male will show great blue color all the other fish will be orange
or you could try one of the dwarf julie species or a whole bunch of shellies