What kinds of African Cichlids can you put in a 29 Gallon

I don't have a 29 gallon open at the moment, but that is likely the next tank that I free up and go for a new look in. I have done a TON of normal community fish, have or will soon have dabbled in almost any small to medium Central/South American Cichlid that I have any interest in.

But next, I would love to try my hand at Africans. I believe that a lot of the common and more colorful ones (haps, mbunas, peacocks) are going to need a larger tank than the 29, but what African Cichlids could I put (other than Shell Dwellers) in a 29?

 

I believe your best bet is to check out the "Prime Time Aquatics" YouTube channel and look at the Playlists.

The host Jason has many videos on African shell dwellers and also specific videos for recommendations on stocking 29g tanks.

That channel has a wealth of knowledge.

 

I believe your best bet is to check out the "Prime Time Aquatics" YouTube channel and look at the Playlists.

The host Jason has many videos on African shell dwellers and also specific videos for recommendations on stocking 29g tanks.

That channel has a wealth of knowledge.

I love Prime Time Aquatics! Both he and his wife are fun to watch and I learned a lot about Shellies from his videos (I already have a Multie Tank). I'll have to take a look again at his lineup. I'm hoping to have something different from the Shellie type fish since I've already got a 29 set up with them in it.

 

You could try Electric Yellow Cichlids. They get to about 4 inches in size and a pair or trio will fit nicely into a 29 gal. But they are quite aggressive, even when not breeding, so don't house them with bottom dwelling fish except maybe Plecos or other armored catfish. And don't keep them with long finned fish like bettas or they will eat their fins. You could also do a tank with cichlids and other fish from the Congo river basin in west Africa.

 

I will get heat for this but I kept an entire colony of Neolamprologus Brichardi's in a 29G for a long time. Strong filter and big water changes ... The thing is no matter how suitable the initial number and size of your cichlid of choice for this tank are, it will soon be overrun with that species. Choosing smaller species and those that are less aggressive among themselves helps. I find Tanganyikans more suitable for this sort of setups.

 

Check out African butterfly cichlid ( Anomalochromis thomasi) very pretty fish! Grows to 2-3 inches. I have 6 of them. Sassy fish

 

Ok, let's do this:

Lake Malawi and Victoria cichlids are out, yes even Yellow Labs. Mbuna for their aggression (though sizewise there are technically possibilities), peacocks and haps for their size. Victorians mostly because they need astonishingly much room.

From Lake Tanganyika, besides the shelldwellers, I would take a look into smaller species of Julidochromis, and some non-shelly Neolamprologus. Don't think a whole colony of brichardi would be a good idea, but well... if the tank has a good rock build and you have a way to sell the fry regularly this could work. I'd not try this, though. Well... been there 20 years ago.

From West Africa there are several species from Cameroon and Niger, that can be kept in a 29, besides Anomalochromis. There are several species of Pelvicachromis and Hemichromis as well. From the Congo basin itself there are some species of Lamprologus and Nanochromis.

I'd stay away from Steatocranus and some of the aforementioned Lamprologus, though, as they live in the Congo River proper, and are specialized on the biotope of river rapids, which requires special setups with strong currents and high oxygenation, which are hard to reproduce in a tank below 300l.

 

Check out African butterfly cichlid ( Anomalochromis thomasi) very pretty fish! Grows to 2-3 inches. I have 6 of them. Sassy fish

Those are kind of interesting! The species profile says that they stay up at the top of the tank. Since this is a 29 gallon, which is rather tall, what would you put with them?

I will get heat for this but I kept an entire colony of Neolamprologus Brichardi's in a 29G for a long time. Strong filter and big water changes ... The thing is no matter how suitable the initial number and size of your cichlid of choice for this tank are, it will soon be overrun with that species. Choosing smaller species and those that are less aggressive among themselves helps. I find Tanganyikans more suitable for this sort of setups.

I do like the Brichardi a lot. Have been reading up on them a bit.

Ok, let's do this:

Lake Malawi and Victoria cichlids are out, yes even Yellow Labs. Mbuna for their aggression (though sizewise there are technically possibilities), peacocks and haps for their size. Victorians mostly because they need astonishingly much room.

From Lake Tanganyika, besides the shelldwellers, I would take a look into smaller species of Julidochromis, and some non-shelly Neolamprologus. Don't think a whole colony of brichardi would be a good idea, but well... if the tank has a good rock build and you have a way to sell the fry regularly this could work. I'd not try this, though. Well... been there 20 years ago.

From West Africa there are several species from Cameroon and Niger, that can be kept in a 29, besides Anomalochromis. There are several species of Pelvicachromis and Hemichromis as well. From the Congo basin itself there are some species of Lamprologus and Nanochromis.

I'd stay away from Steatocranus and some of the aforementioned Lamprologus, though, as they live in the Congo River proper, and are specialized on the biotope of river rapids, which requires special setups with strong currents and high oxygenation, which are hard to reproduce in a tank below 300l.

You've given me several options to research! Thank you!! That's part of the fun of the planning!!

 

You're welcome! I researched extensively about cichlids for years even during my aquarium hiatus. Never thought I might help somebody with my knowledge until I registered here.

 

Those are kind of interesting! The species profile says that they stay up at the top of the tank. Since this is a 29 gallon, which is rather tall, what would you put with them?

I think you searched butterfly fish


I do like the Brichardi a lot. Have been reading up on them a bit.

 

You're welcome! I researched extensively about cichlids for years even during my aquarium hiatus. Never thought I might help somebody with my knowledge until I registered here.

That's what I love about this forum!!