PorcupinePuffer

ok i am trying to decided whether to go with a South american setup or with an african one?

What are some of your suggestions?
It will probably be a 40-50 gallon tank.

Thanks!

AlyeskaGirl

Hello, I'm not a cichlid expert, so other members with knowledge should be along to help. It sounds really exciting though....good luck on your decision.

Nick Goody

I personally prefer the American Cichlids, but in a 40-50 gal I'd go with Africans, as you'll be able to put more Africans in a tank that size.

namehater

in a 40g i would keep a trio (1m/2f) of each of these africans-

purple tail acei
red zebra
yellow lab

if you get a 50g, i would add one more female to each group. they will all get be about 4"-6" and will only be aggressive within their own species and only really when they are establishing the 'Alpha' male.

OR

you could keep one oscar.

Melissawater

lol or one red devil cichlid!

btate617

The Africans listed should work. If you could get some current in the tank Steatocranus Casuarius(buffalohead cichlid) are pretty cool.

If you go South American you could do quite a few species. You could do a Laetacara species, either Mikrogeophagus species( Bolivian ran or blue), Apisto's, Mesonauta Festivus, Aequidens Metae, Cleithracara Maronii (keyhole cichlid).

You could even do some of the smaller Centrals in a 50gal. Like Herotilapia Multispinosa(rainbow cichlid), Cryptoheros Sajica(T-bar cichlid), Cichlasoma Salvini (even though there max size is rather large rarely do they achieve this in a tank, probably 5-6" is more realistic), Cichlasoma Portalegrense, or a Thorichthys species.
Lots of options.

Brian

Amanda

I vote American Cichlids, I like them a lot more.