Starting a 55g Cichlid tank (stock help please)

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pondowner

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jun 4, 2008
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Central New Jersey
Hey, I'm going to keep Cichlids for the first time. I have some experience keeping fish in the past. But this will be my first time with Cichlids. I have a 55 Gallon tank. I was thinking of doing a white sand substrate, is that good for these fish?

I am going to get lots of rocks to build lots of little caves and hiding places.

Here is the stocklist I am currently planning on having.. please let me know if they will be fine together.

I would like to get 1 male and 1 female of each.

Copadichromis thinos (Chidunga)
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1042

Placidochromis electra (Undu)
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=2284

Aulonocara sp. "Stuartgranti Maleri" (Maleri Is.) Yellow Regal
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1410

Aulonocara "German Red"
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1313

My main concern is will the Yellow Regal and German Red be okay together?

I really like both of them and would hate to have to make a decision between the two, but if they can't live peacefully together, I'll have to. I want these fish to have a high quality of life.


Thanks for all your help!
 
Yeah, the peacocks SHOULD be alright together in a tank that size, especially if you have lots of hiding places.
IfYou are planning on breeding though- the females will hybridize & the fry will be garbage/feeders.
 
Will the breeding problem be with all the fish? Or just the German Reds and Yellow Regals? I don't plan on breeding them at the moment, but if the problem could be avoided by swapping one of those two out I would consider it.
 
all haps and peacocks will cross breed if given the chance. also having pairs will not work with african cichlids, instead you need 1m/3+f, pairs usually end up with a dead female. to avoid all of this you could go with 2 species 1m/4f that look completely different, or you could just go with all males. the first choice still has the chance of cross breeding.
 
He already mentioned it was a 55.. That size tank is difficult because you need a good bulk of fish, and you need them to all be happy and have enough space. I dont see a problem with your stock but I would add some fish to it, stay away from any of the more agressive fish though. Also, why not throw in a group of modesta botia? They grow fast and are great for african tanks.
 
Thanks for the help so far.

The tank is 55 gallons. Roughly 4' long by 20" high by 1' wide..

I will go all males instead of having females to avoid hybridization or death per james99 suggestion.

I have kept Loaches before but would prefer to keep this tank just Cichlids.

I do not want to overcrowd the tank, but I understand having more fish helps limit aggression. Would this combo be compatible?

Copadichromis thinos (Chidunga)
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profile...es.php?id=1042

Placidochromis electra (Undu)
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profile...es.php?id=2284

Aulonocara sp. "Stuartgranti Maleri" (Maleri Is.) Yellow Regal
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profile...es.php?id=1410

Aulonocara "German Red"
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profile...es.php?id=1313

Aulonocara stuartgranti (Chirwa Is.)
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1392

2 males of each? Or are the last three too closely related to live in harmony?
 
peacocks and haps which is what you have specified in your stock list are not as crazy about rocks as mbuna. while it will help reduce aggression to an extent they won't be as comfortable hiding in it.

i think your stocklist is fine for an all male tank especially if you get them as juveniles and raise them together.
 
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