How do you know which african cichlids mix?

[Freezekougra]

I have SA/CA cichlids, completely new to african cichlids. I see them put together in an "Assorted African Cichlid" tank without any labels on the specific species of fish

 

[mikem2]

well some of them are aggressive and some are not. You can get malawis, tanganiykas, victorias or river cichlids. Then you have to remember there is mbuna and utaka...many you can mix, many can not be mixed. True about cichlids is the bigger the tank the better, and another says that controlled overstocking is good - keeping the agression down.

 

[chefjamesscott]

a short bit of advice AVOID RED ZEBRA KENYI they are evil or maybe just mine was

he went through 10 tanks some biotope specific others not in an attempt to get him to behave finally my pacu got to upset at his bullying that it bit him in half and ate most of him

other than that do lots of studying as people that keep them

 

[ErikFromNJ]

+1 on a red zebra. I had one that no matter what tank I put him in, he picked on someone/everyone. I eventually gave him to an LFS. Wish I had a pacu at the time.

 

[fallin49er]

try and keep Victorian and Tanganyikan's in species specific tanks..Mbuna's need lot's and lot's of rocks and caves for hiding spots. Figure out what you want and try to put them in your tank all at once...introducing new fish to an established african tank can be tricky..definately don't mix Tang's with Mbuna..Mbuna are very hyper aggressive

 

[CichlidsRool]

I have SA/CA cichlids, completely new to african cichlids. I see them put together in an "Assorted African Cichlid" tank without any labels on the specific species of fish

i highly recommend you read a book about African Cichlid's,after 25+ years i am still learning new stuff.....p.s 28 years ago Red Zebra's were about $20+ each! lol!!!