Info wanted- cichlids

[hca75]

Im thinking of dabbling into cichlids... but anything more than harmless squabbles I really dont want to deal with...Prefer something that stays fairly small... up to 4 inches, and my water is perfect for rift lakes cichilds outta the tap....So been looking at those. Treating this water naturally I can get it closer to neutral... but why not work with what you have???

Been doing some research, and size and temperment wise... Iodotropheus sprengerae / " rusty cichlid" or "lavender Mbuna" seems like it might be a good fit, But wanting suggestions, as my experience with cichlids is limited , and most of you do have alot of cichlid experience...

Still in the research phase right now, but would like to hear from people who have actually kept what they are suggesting. Thanks!!! Holly

[VMath]

Andrew and I have a 20L species tank with "multis" (Neolamprologus multifasciatus) and they are some of the most fun and interesting fish we have. They are Tanganyikan shell dwelling cichlids and have nice vertical stripes with BRIGHT blue eyes. We buy escargot shells from gourmet.com for them (you can also use small salt water shells, they usually hold up longer.) They exhibit all of the typical cichlid squabbling and digging without being vicious and kept in a species tank they will define territories and set up their own individual little colonies. Our largest males are about 1 3/4", the mature females are usually 3/4" to 1 1/4". Our original fish came from Steve Edie at a MASI auction. Several people around the club still keep them so I'm sure you could find some if you are interested.

I love cichlids, good luck whatever you choose!

[VMath]

Here's a not so great picture of one of our multi tank. Please excuse our algae This is an adult male (but not quite full size yet). The female is in the lower right.

[hca75]

Thanks Valerie!!!

Going from Livebearers, shrimp and corys... to cichlids , is a big jump out of my comfort zone. BUT Im wanting to take that jump... but want input from those that KEEP the fish, to buffer what I can find at the library, or online.

I've thought about some shell dwellers... will def keep them in mind.As they do sound like something To def' research some more, and a good possibility

Harmless Squabbles, displaying, and digging is fine.. and from a smaller fish could be kinda cute!!! I love small fish!!!

But I don't want to end up with a war zone, beat up fish, or huge nightmarish temper tantrums. I love my guppies, but wanting some variety.

Im looking at setting up single species tank(s) , not cichlids communities, in tanks that rage from 10-40 gals. I dont even want to attempt doing a mixed species tank yet. And things that are in the "harmless squabbles" catagory would suit me best...

Anyone else have any ideas???

[Scott Campbell]

Some of the most peace loving cichlids are Chalinochromis, Neolamprologus, Julidochromis, Cyprichromis, Paracyprichromis, Xenotilapia (including Enantiopus). Aulunocara, Haps.
All of these seems peaceful except when they start to spawn, then war can break out. You can counter the aggression with a medium size tank with plenty of rocks, and a lot of tank mates to keep a bully occupied.

[hca75]

Scott- Thanks for the info... done some more reading, ect...

Val- those multis are on my list of possibilities!!!

Im trying to narrow things down... as the list of possibilities is HUGE...

Shelldwellers, paracyprichromis, xenotilapias, and Julies... really caught my attention. Some of the others, while very colorful in most cases, to me just LOOK mean and intimidating... even tho recommended as more peaceful. And to me personality/ interesting means more than color... dont get me wrong, i love color... but ive got enough guppies, endlers and shrimps for that... LOL And some of those listed sound VERY interesting, lots of personality, and some comical behaviors.

After fighting with my water chemistry, for 4 years,( heavy feeding plants , and natural tannins and rain water do ALOT, but still need a constant supply) and then really wanting to change a few things up... africans seem like my best bet... as unaltered, water is extremely comparible to the rift lakes... least hard/ lowest ph for 3 months in the spring.And those numbers seem to be in most species lower range of tolerance.

I started out planning to find a smaller species that could happily live in a smaller to medium sized tank in a small colony. Im now. after more research ,thinkin that it would almost better to do a 3-4 ft tank, and utilize differant niches, and have a community, while giving each species more room within their niche for territory.And more room to break up that territory into 2-3 well defined spaces within each niche. THOUGHTS????

Im thinking right now along the lines of this;
a 40 or 55 gal,
sand bottom,
back wall with caves 3/4 the way up, about 4 in deep. Broken up territories- so the whole cave system isnt within eye sight. say In a 40 gal, basically in half, in a 55 gal, in 1/3's
Stock- a bottom dweller ( shelly or xeno), a rock dweller ( julie) and an open water schooler ( paracyp')

Thoughts???
Please remeber- I am a newbie in this area.Thanks for all your advise and thoughts so far!!! holly

[jh82]

Hi holly.

I think your stock list sounds good. I have kept and have similar setups. If you're going with julies I would stick with Ornatus, Transcriptus or marlieri (Gombe). Avoid Regani or other marlieri as they get bigger and can be meaner. Dickfeldi is somewhat in between. Other cool shellies you may consider are 'Lamprologus' stappersi (meleagris) and 'Lamprologus' ocellatus (Gold). The can be a bit more aggressive than multies but are still awesome fish. Here are their profiles and articles:

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/s ... hp?id=1760
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/l_stappersii.php
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/s ... hp?id=1753
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/l_ocellatus.php

Also, you initially mentioned rusties. Are you still considering an Mbuna tank?

[hca75]

John,

Right now I'm just trying to get as much info as possible, and figure out a few species that I could take the plunge with, without tooo many temper tantrums. Still open to all suggestions... And a Mbuna tank with rusties is still a possibility. Right now Im just wanting to stay with smaller, more peaceful species...

Possible stocking, minimum tank size, possible tankmates , all that good info appreciated.

Will give those articles a look, and I appreciate the help.

[Scarfo]

hca75,

I think the research you are doing prior to setting this cichlid tank is a great idea. However, you also need to keep in mind that there are no guarantees with any of this information. What works for one person could be disaster for another with the same setups. I've had tanks with tetras that have been ultra aggressive and cichlid tanks where everything gets along. Some people will tell you to add all the fish at the same time so none of the fish have defined terrirtories while other will tell you to add the least aggressive first, etc.

I think the mix you previously posted is good. One group of shelldweller, possibly a rock dweller/sand sifter, and a open water species (like cyp or paracyp) could work. Some rock dwellers (leleupi) will hunt down shellie fry so be careful what you chose.

Let me know if you have any other questions,

Nick

[hca75]

Oh I know there is unknown variables... I had a terror of a GUPPY...It was , stressing WAS viscious... things happen, some personalities get screwey... ect..Just trying to do as much research as possible, before taking the leap, and trying to get a wide variety of experiences before bring anything home.