Stocking SA & CA cichlids

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I'm still leaning to the SA/CAs but I'm thinking I should check out more Africans. I love seeing the interaction between the fish, and like the colors.

As for the original tank, changing it isn't out of the question. The red hooks are actually good for getting the fish out in the open - not overly in love with the severum. Strangely the fish I like the most is the Jurupari - he's peaceful but active. Gets chased but then goes about his business.


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How about me putting a monkey wrench in here ? I mix some Africans in with my CA/SA cichlids. I just look for fish that appeal to me, and throw it in the most appropriate tank where he/she will fit in.
 
For your sized tank there are some options:

Rocks and Mbunas
All male peacock and smaller haps(sand and few rocks)
2-3 breeding groups of peacocks
Smaller tanganyikas like Shellie's brichardi, compressiceps, cyprichromis, etc...no frontosa though....



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go with a diverse group of male peacocks, buy em small for cheap and grow them out with good food, they color quick, and are fun fish to watch
 
i keep haps, peacocks, and a few other misfit africans with great colors in one of my planted tanks, they all get along great and grow fast
 
I like the idea of mixing some Africans and CA/SAs. I was told that the jewel works because he's African river. Any suggestions along these lines?

If i went just africans, how long would it take for small guys to turn into good sized guys. Are there Africans that grow larger than 6-8 inches?


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I like the idea of mixing some Africans and CA/SAs. I was told that the jewel works because he's African river. Any suggestions along these lines?

If i went just africans, how long would it take for small guys to turn into good sized guys. Are there Africans that grow larger than 6-8 inches?



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Of corse. Frontosa get 14-16", many happs also get that large. In fact, reportedly the largest cichlid in the world is an african cichlid. Boulengerochromis microlepis get 3ft and are a hell of a fish. Honestly though your tank is not big enough for the big guys so I would stick to the smaller peacocks/mbuna, etc. It will probably take them around 2 years to get to full size which is fairly typical for most cichlids.

As far as mixing CA/SA usually I don't like the idea but certain species work because I think they come from similar surroundings like jewel cichlids and kribensis. It really depends on which CA/SA cichlids you are interested in.
 
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