mp010303

hey everyone. i am going to be setting up a new aquarium when i move into my new apt later this month. i want to start a cichlid tank. i've never kept any cichlid besides an angelfish. could somebody give me some advice on species, tank setup, water parameters, etc.? any help would be GREAT and most appreciated.

also, i have a 29 gal setup with a 55 gal filter. i would prefer multiple small fish than 1 or 2 big fish. thanks for any help.

-matt

Shawnie

what type of cichlids? africans, SA , Asia, NA etc?

harpua2002

I think the most interesting setups you could do with a 29 would be either SA dwarf cichlids (rams, apistogramma), or Tanganyikan shelldwellers (lamprologus ocellatus, multifasciatus, brevis, etc... there are many species). SA dwarfs could live in a community tank; corys and tetras are examples of good tank mates for them. Shelldwellers, on the other hand, tend to fare better in species-only setups, and their behavior is fascinating to observe in a colony. I'd suggest doing a little research to see what direction you would like to take- I think we could be a lot more helpful with specific questions about fish that you like.

navyscuba

Well first of all some Apartment complex require a fee just in case of water damage. verify that before hand. Then it depends on what kind of Cichlids you want if you choose for South American make sure you keep it that way. Some don't like to be mixed but they are some members here that have African and South American mixed and it goes well. So it depends. African like high pH levels. Require Rocks or caves to hide and for breeding purposes. Then African Malawi Cichlids can't be mixed with other lakes of Africa. Here is a link on some beginners set ups. Good Luck.

http://cichlidforum.com/articles/spe..._beginners.php

btate617

For a 30gal perhaps a Apistogramma species, Nannacara Anomala, a Laetacara species, possibly Biotodoma Cupido-although they get to 5" it will take a long time as they are slow growers.

You could also fit some type of schooling fish to round out the tank. Maybe Gymnocorymbus ternetzi , Aphyocharax anisitsi, Hemigrammus bleheri to name a few.

Brian

peacemaker92

Just wanna say,
WELCOME TO FISHLORE!!

mp010303

i would really like to stick to easily-cared for dwarf cichlids

Toddnbecka

For a 29 I'd recommend multi's (Lamprologus multifasciatus), either a pair or trio (1m/2f). Sand substrate and plenty of shells for them to spawn in. A handful of crushed coral either in a filter or scattered on the sand to help buffer the water chemistry is helpful. Maybe a few guppies for variety/dither fish.

zowie717

Hello and welcome! , i agree with dwarfs as far as tank set up since it smaller. Just some FYI's from my experience thus far.....

argonite sand or crushed coral gravel or a mixure of both. This will help keep your PH levels up.

a rock formation with rocks ; ) . make sure they are okay for use in your tank. (if you get them from outside there is a simple test you can do at home to determine if they are okay) they will dig under the rocks, around the rocks when you have that sand in there. also any decorations that are live caves. (be careful of decorations from petstores, fish can get trapped in there, i had it happen ; ( )

only plastic plants or silk aquarium safe plants. They will eat or pick to death real plants. ( i know....LOL... they just loved my moss balls to death!)

aeration: my cichlids love extra aeration- I am not sure how dwarfs would be. but oxygen is always good for a tank.

heating: temp of 78 to 80. depends on the fish species you go with but overall its warmer for cichlids.

food" a high quality pellet like (cichlid gold) and a cichlid flake. they also need some type of algae in there diet and they will pick it off of plants, etc..(some types) they have other treats and so forth you can get and give as a treat, not daily.

maintenace: they are messy but with the higher filter you have you should be good as long as you dont overstock the tank. i clean my tank weekly, but that is me. I have crazy fish!!!

aggression issues": when this happens and it usually does a rearraging of the tank will help and give everyone an equal chance to claim out terrotity again. I have done this a couple times and everyone is happy. even a slight rearrange when cleaning.

Good luck and they are wonderful fish.......I love mine!

aquarist48

Welcome to Fish Lore MP. Best of luck with your cichlid tank. I hope once you get settled in your new apartment and all set up that you'll share some pictures with us.
Best of luck,
Ken

gouramiguy88

You could always try convicts.

Super easy to care for as long as you have one male and one female.

You can only house these fish by themselves..

For example I have a 30 gallon convict tank with two happy convicts... no other fish.

mp010303

thanks everyone for all the help! it's greatly appreciated