Malawi or South American?

[Brian_Indiana]

Victorian Cichlids are pretty sweet. There are some great options, but they can be a little pricey and harder to find. BSN Plecos are great with African cichlids. I am sure they would work with SA cichlids as well.

Personally, I think a 55 is a little small for a SA tank....most just get too big.

At least most of the cool ones do.

 

[Plantedtank12]

I have been posting from my families iPad so I just stopped by the aquarium store and I talked to the manager about special ordering a large amount of Malawi, SA's, or Victorians and he said that several others had asked him about it and he was already going to order a large stock of all 3 and several other groups of cichlids so availability of any group of cichlid won't be a problem.

 

[Plantedtank12]

Thanks Brian.

 

[Options]

55g is perfect for mbuna. I would do large groups of demasoni and yellow labs.

 

[creepyoldguy]

Victorian Cichlids are pretty sweet. There are some great options, but they can be a little pricey and harder to find. BSN Plecos are great with African cichlids. I am sure they would work with SA cichlids as well.

Personally, I think a 55 is a little small for a SA tank....most just get too big.

At least most of the cool ones do.

Agree here! I don't know much about Victorian cichlids, but this idea in general is a very good answer. An xp3 is a big filter that can handle a fairly large bio load but lacks in the mechanical department due to lower flow rate. IF I were you, I believe I would do an African set up of some sort. You can't go wrong. Go pick some rocks out of a local river or stream and pile them up and throw some pretty African's in and you'll have a gorgeous tank.

 

[mshill90]

Agree here! I don't know much about Victorian cichlids, but this idea in general is a very good answer. An xp3 is a big filter that can handle a fairly large bio load but lacks in the mechanical department due to lower flow rate. IF I were you, I believe I would do an African set up of some sort. You can't go wrong. Go pick some rocks out of a local river or stream and pile them up and throw some pretty African's in and you'll have a gorgeous tank.

You and your canister filters.. lol... for a 55, 2 aquaclear 110's would work just fine too.

AC <3

 

[Plantedtank12]

Thank you for this, now does anyone have any info on any bottom feeders that are compatible with the cichlids other than the bristle nosed plec. And could someone tell me if a small pictus would be ok with SA's.

 

[CLDarnell]

Thank you for this, now does anyone have any info on any bottom feeders that are compatible with the cichlids other than the bristle nosed plec. And could someone tell me if a small pictus would be ok with SA's.

A small won't be, no. I love how the Pictus and Shubunkins in my 55 keep things nice and clean. When I do a water change, I get very little particulates out of the substrate when I use the vac. I thought I would try a Pictus in my breeder tank to help tidy up.

I acclimated the little guy by floating the bag in the tank for 15 minutes. I added some water to the bag and let him float for another 15. I then netted him out of the bag and placed him in the tank. He swam for the bottom in a nice graceful arc. When he was about 2" from the bottom, one of the labs came out from behind her rock and swallowed him whole!

(I realize Labs aren't SA, but I am sure you would have a similar situation with SAs)

If you introduced the Cichlids and Pictus to the tank at the same time when they are all juvies, you may have better luck. From my experience though, adding any smaller fish to an established Cichlid tank pretty much spells doom for the new guy.

Good luck!

 

[thunderchicken]

Yeah, a 55 would be too small and narrow for a number of SA cichlids. Just make sure you know your ph first, then buffer water with african cichlid substrate--make sure you can keep it 7.8-8.2 preferably on the high side without wavering. Also, the Malawis are so aggressive and need to be in a group so stock accordingly--don't add one at a time, they'll kill each other. I would do like a group of 6 or 7 in a 55. I love the synodontis petricolas but they are expensive and like to be in groups of at least 4. Also they stay so small so you might want to go with another type. That rena xp3 should be plenty of filtration for your 55. Good luck.

 

[marauders30]

id go with african. just cuz alot of the sa's wont fit in that tank.