First time African setup?

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A

AquaApprentice

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jan 21, 2011
42
1
0
Tampa, Florida
Admittedly, I have always been a New World cichlid kind of guy. I just got a new 55 gallon among the myriad of other tanks that are already cramped into my apartment (more tanks than living space lol) and am now contemplating an African setup. I am looking for advice. Malawi/Mbuna, Tanganyika, I don't know. I was inspired by this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NVq8rW_qUc&feature=channel_page and decided maybe this is something I would like to try on my own.

What I am really looking for is a very interactive community of fish that also has color and personality. Some of my favorite species are Cyphotilapia Frontosa (way too small, but a friend has been asking me to grow some out for his 300 gallon, so maybe), Leleupi, Black Calvus, Julidichromis, Melanachromis Auratus, Labidichromis Careulus, Brichardi, ect.

I would most likely want to do some type of biotype, which is possibly why I am most asking for advice. I love fishkeeping, but admittedly do not have very much experience with Africans of any kind, other than adoring them while at my job or an aquarium or in one of my friends' tanks.

Any advice?
 
For the tanganyikans you mentioned, in a 55 you could do 6 calvus, a pair of julidocromis, and 8 shell dwellers (I recommend multies or occies). Or you could try the tropheus, but a 55g is about the smallest you should go for a single species troph tank, start with 15 duboise and see what happens
 
Dubosi as far as tropheus go are jumpers so if you did them, you would be best with species only and make sure every little hole is covered.

I would go with Tang's. You can do calvus, julies, if you added a brichardi only add one or same sex, they will breed like bunnies and take over you tank otherwise and you can add some shells and Shellie as well, such as what was suggested above.

As far as mbuna go, lab's are great however auratus I would avoid they are agressive and mean, I had them before and they did a nice portion of my stock in.
 
deffinately go tangs i reckon a few black and white calvus and a group of leleupis and some shellies
 
Africans Are amazing fish to keep. I have a mbuna tank, and 2 victorian tanks. As far as aggression goes vics are top of the list. For peaceful mbuna are the best. Tropheus are amazing schooling fish. It's all a matter of preference.
 
I Say peacocks top mbuna big time.
 
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