I'm giving in!

[EastBay]

but the consensus is to stay away from the mixed or "assorted" batch? even with a 55g?

Not necessarily. It's just that many hardcore Mbuna keepers frown on these kind because they dilute the genes of purebreds. They're concerned that when they breed, you'll sell the fry as a certain species, which would further dilute the gene pool.
I would say just buy whatever appeals to you. Unless you get setup a species-specific tank, these fish will end up crossbreeding and you'll end up with some hybrids anyway.

 

[stylEmon]

i don't think anyone is saying stay away from the assorted... if you see one in there that looks amazing, why not grab it.

But if they are all just blah looking, maybe find a nicer looking specific species.

Cichlids ARE always confusing. There are a TON of African species, from 3 different lakes, a dozen different rivers + all the South American species... new species are found all the time. People cross breed em. Some don't have common names, only have latin scientific names...

 

[nitrofish1]

i don't think anyone is saying stay away from the assorted... if you see one in there that looks amazing, why not grab it.

But if they are all just blah looking, maybe find a nicer looking specific species.

Cichlids ARE always confusing. There are a TON of African species, from 3 different lakes, a dozen different rivers + all the South American species... new species are found all the time. People cross breed em. Some don't have common names, only have latin scientific names...

ok so, i know it seems plain, but the assorted ones in the tank with the blues yellows, greys even, i think could turn out to become stunners. not pure mbuna, but im not interested in breeding, and i dont care if they arent pure. thank you

 

[EastBay]

ok so, i know it seems plain, but the assorted ones in the tank with the blues yellows, greys even, i think could turn out to become stunners. not pure mbuna, but im not interested in breeding, and i dont care if they arent pure. thank you

Yeah, like most fish, they should color up when you have them for a while.

And just get what you like!

 

[nitrofish1]

and i also read that the best thing to do is have more rocks, and more fish, or to almost overstock on both. whats a good substrate?

 

[EastBay]

Yeah, these fish need plenty of places to hide. I have probably about 100lbs of rock in mine. Overstocking helps reduce aggression.
I use pea-sized gravel that I picked up at Home Depot, kind of black-gray color. I've read it helps the fish color up. They say if you use white sand, it washes the color out. Personally, I choose to use gravel because it's a lot easier to vacuum than sand.

 

[whetfish]

and i also read that the best thing to do is have more rocks, and more fish, or to almost overstock on both. whats a good substrate?

You could also go no rock, then there is no territory for the fish to defend. It's not as aesthetically pleasing but it helps minimize aggression.

 

[nitrofish1]

im pretty sure id be able to collect local river stones, but im not sure itd be much that i could build up vertically without have to use glue.

 

[Brooks74]

Another thing to consider when getting fish from the assorted tanks especially since you have a 37 gallon usually the assorted tanks have some of the meanest mbuna in them including red zebra,auratus,bumblebee,johanni and kenyi on top of them being already too mean for a 37 you will never know what else they are mixed with which could make them even meaner.

 

[nekozinha]

peacock cichlids are cool ! send pics !