Suggestions for stocking a 46g bowfront?

[605caddi]

Howdy all,

I'm new to the world of African Cichlids, so new in fact I've never done an African tank. However I'm not new to the world of Cichlids in general. I currently have a 70g Gymnogeophagus tank and a 29g with a pair of Cons.

I'm looking for some stocking suggestions, I realize due to the rather small size of the tank (46g) I'm going to have to stick to the smaller species. However, the trouble I'm having is with compatibility and numbers. I've done a good bit of research and it seems the typical response is a 1m/3f or 1m/4f ratio but I can't seem to find a straight answer as far as compatibility and numbers goes.

As far as what species I'm interested in... Honestly I don't even know where to start. There are so many different species that all look very cool, and i'm not terribly picky. I guess mostly I'm just looking for some ideas of various species that will do well with each other in this size tank.

Thanks

 

[ScubaChick0121]

Hey im in the same boat as you! what i would honestly do is pm ash54876 he is really helpful!!!!!

Heres some advice he gave me

How long is the tank? If under 4' long you will pretty much have to stick to dwarf mbuna. Maybe 2 species with 5 individuals per species with a ratio of 1male per 4 females. You'll want to have good filtration on the tank and keep up with water changes. Decorate the tank with lots of rocks to create many caves and hiding places. Sand is a great substrate for mbuna tanks, they love to dig. Feed them a good quality pellet that has a lower protein percentage. They also like fresh veggies and veggie flakes. Avoid meaty foods which can give mbuna bloat.

 

[jpappy789]

You could always go the Tanganyikan route.

 

[Blue2Fyre]

* She

I think malawis are awesome. Personally I wouldn't set up a Tang tank unless you have a huge tank and can have a true community.

 

[jpappy789]

* She

I think malawis are awesome. Personally I wouldn't set up a Tang tank unless you have a huge tank and can have a true community.

I guess to each there own but I've seen plenty of "tang" tanks ranging from 10 gallon shellie setups on up to communities in the hundreds of gallons.

 

[Blue2Fyre]

I'll agree that small tanks are great for shellie tanks but you can't keep too much more with them in a small tank like that. It is the beauty of a Tang tank. You can keep a couple species in a 40 some gallon tank. Just if it was me I would go for the huge tank so I could have a huge community.

 

[605caddi]

I'll agree that small tanks are great for shellie tanks but you can't keep too much more with them in a small tank like that. It is the beauty of a Tang tank. You can keep a couple species in a 40 some gallon tank. Just if it was me I would go for the huge tank so I could have a huge community.

I don't really have the space to go any bigger (plus I already have the tank = no start up cost aside from fish) right now unfortunately.

If you were me, what would you put in this 46 bowfront?