riftlaker

i have kept neon tetras and angels for sometime now and i want to start an African cichlid tank. i've heard that you have to keep at least 8 cichlids in a tank to prevent the weakest fish getting abused. i wonder if this is true, because i've see pet stores keep only a few cichlids together in a tank. also will African cichlids tolerate a pH of 7.5?

navyscuba

If you want to keep more than one male yes. But if not you can keep 1 male for 3 to 4 females. On the PH mater they prefer 7.8 to 8.2 most of them but they can tolerate the 7.5.

Shawnie

welcome to fishlore!!!!! it all depends on the size of the tank....overstocking africans is best and usually a 1m/3-4f is best..do you know what size tank? and yes a 7.5 will be fine for most but again, depends on what kind you are looking for
doing a search here on fishlore, can help allot knowing the different ways some of our members have gone with africans..good luck!

navyscuba

Haha Shawnie. I got here first.

Shawnie

indeed you did...but wheres your welcome ?

riftlaker

does '1m/3-4f' stand for 3-4 fished in a tank with 1 meter in length? my tank is 35G

navyscuba

Nope one Male 3 to 4 females.

riftlaker

for the male to female ratio, do they have to be the same species?

navyscuba

Is a good rule that you get some mbuna, then some Haps and Peacocks that way you can lower the chances that if they breed they do it within their own species.

gmen4life

some afras maybe in a 35 gal or how about a pair of convicts?

navyscuba

I agree with Gmen. I forgot about the Afras.