New to African Cichlids

[Chrisplosion]

I am thinking of turning one of my 55g tanks into a African community tank. I don't know much about them, Central Americans are more my specialty.

1. What are some goods ones to look into?
2. How does stocking work, from what I hear you can stock more Africans in a tank than Americans.
3. Are there any special requirements?

Anything info you can give will be helpful.

 

[Whiteboi_J]

I jus set up a 55 Mbuna tank last week myself.

Here's what i've noticed so far

use crushed coral for substrate, b/c they will re-arrange their home as they see fit by moving substrate

b/c of above, no plants

Make sure there's lots of caves so they can find a "home" THR (texas holey rock) works great

try and get similar sized fish

if you get a catfish, make sure ur cichlids can't fit in his mouth. lol. lucky i didn't have to learn the hard way, but i've seen my hifin snap at 1 or 2 of my cichlids

 

[Chrisplosion]

These are some of the ones I am looking at;

Cobalt Blue - Metriaclima callainos
Red Zebra - Metriaclima estherae
Kenyi - Metriaclima lombardoi
Electric Yellow - Labidochromis caeruleus
Black/White Calvus - Altolamprologus calvus

I would love to do Frontosa but no one around here sells them.

 

[Regalblue]

All those metraclima will hybridize. (hybrid malawis are not worth **** & very frowned upon)
I usally stick with one lake in my tanks. If you do mix lake types, you're better off going with Malawi & Victoria.
TheCalvus will grow ALOT slower than the others you have listed.
malawimayhem.com has a nice profile list to look at. I use it alot.

 

[CLDarnell]

If you do mix lake types, you're better off going with Malawi & Victoria.

Agreed and well said.

Chris, I wish you were closer. I have a boat load of fry at the moment, including L. caeruleus, Pundamilia nyererei (Lake Victorian, Madobe Island), Maylandia Livingstonii and Red Empress (I forget the scientific name at the moment). I would stock you up! I am going to have to move some of these guys out soon lol.

I have a feeling you're going to love being involved in Africans

 

[Regalblue]

red empress = Protomelas Taeniolatus

 

[CLDarnell]

red empress = Protomelas Taeniolatus

Thank you

 

[Whiteboi_J]

ya, i'm already loving my decision to go with Africans. very intelligent fish imo.

 

[Chrisplosion]

ya, i'm already loving my decision to go with Africans. very intelligent fish imo.

But aren't all cichlids like that in general.

 

[0M39A]

I just thought it may be worth noting that m.lombardoi are fairly aggressive. My 6 inch male rules my African tank.

Posted on mobile.monsterfishkeepers.com