Cichlids!

[Nell]

So, now that I have my own office and stuff, I've decided that I now have space for another tank!

I think I am going to try African Cichlids!, Malawi mbuna to be specific.

I have room for a 4' tank, so that means 55g, 75g or 90g. I would like a 70-90gal, but a could get a 55gal really cheap or free, so that probably what its going to be.

I've been doing a lot of research, but I'm still unsure what I'm going to keep in the tank.

Yellow labs are on the list.
other possibilities include Red Zebras, Acei, Socolofi (powder blue) and Johannii.

So does anyone have experience with African Cichlids?
(and by experience, I don't mean getting a bunch of assorted juvies at Petco that looked neat and then letting them grow out until they're too big for the tank and tear each other apart.... of course!) lol.

[mynoven]

I don't!! but I wanted to ask what they looked like...do you have pics?

[Nell]

African Cichlids are the most colorful of the freshwater fish. They come from a few specific lakes in Africa. The water requirements of these fish are different from most other freshwater fish. They need a pH of around 8 and a high mineral content. The mbuna live in rocky areas and will stake out holes and crevices as their territory. They are very territorial and aggressive. If you put one of these in a community tank, even the most "peaceful" of the mbuna would kill the other fish.

Here are some pics and descriptions of some of the species that I'm considering:

Yellow Lab (http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1669)

Ps. socolofi (http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=919)

Red Zebra (the females are red and the males are usually blue) (http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=791)

Yellow Tail Acei (http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1460)

M. Johannii (some sources say this fish is very aggressive, but many people keep them with the types of fish I've listed) (http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=760)

m. Zebra (not the same as the Red Zebra) (http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=760)

[fishiegirl]

I dont have experince but I love the zebras and labs, they are so pretty!!

[mynoven]

wow they are cool....goodluck!

[Catmakemebark]

Ciclids are like gold fish. They get big. The bigger the better for ciclids. I dont like it when chinese places get 5, 8" parrot ciclids in 50 gallons. It was not cool. They are really easy to breed so yea...be careful about over population because the young are protected and most will live...
They are aggressive fish too. I would not recomend anything else in the tank, but maybe a snail or a pleco that dosnt get in the way...

I personally like convicts and blues...blues are expensive were I am at though.
I have goldies now but I was thinking about ciclids again.

[Catmakemebark]

Sorry, I forgot. They dont get as big as gold fish...but you probably know everything I said...so I guess that was pointless...well...I dont like chinese food.

[Shellie]

I think they are pretty but I also think we will stick with golds. lol Although T wants a betta for the 10 gallon.

[Catmakemebark]

That is a use for your ten gallon! It has already cycled water too!

[mynoven]

bettas all over the place!! I saw a really pretty white one in the store today....I wish they could live together....lol

[Catmakemebark]

With a divider they can...if they are with eachother for a long time they get used to eachother and dont flare.

My sister an I were going to order some show bettas like moon tails and double tails from faith at betta talk...but she isnt doing that anymore.

[Shellie]

He wants this Betta he saw that was a deep blue color and had black around the eyes. Looked like he was wearing sunglasses. lol True California kid

[Catmakemebark]

Aww. Thats cute.

You should order him one! Thoughs make good fishy presents!

aqua bid. c om
and
betta talk. com has show quality.

[Shellie]

It was at PetSmart, I bet he's gone by now.

[mr gerbil]

If you're thinking of getting mbuna, why not go for a few auratus? :D

[Nell]

Auratus? I'm not crazy MG! I'd like the other fish in the tank to live! :p

[mr gerbil]

lol, that's what I thought...

Labs are a good idea, though.

[honeythorn]

i like the look of the socolofi!

[Catmakemebark]

Some of these are expensive but they are really intresting. My favorite Mbunas are red top zebra, red face mask, Cherry Red Zebra, Cynotilapia Afra, and Pseudotropheus demasoni. It looks like you like the blue but I like "red" but it always turns out yellow for me...

I dont know if you already saw them before but I though I would enlighten you of my favorites...

I like Tanganyika ciclids. Why does everyone like Malawi!

[Nell]

Tang cichlids are neat too. They tend to be more expensive and less colorful though. Have you seen a Frontosa cichlid? They're really neat looking but they get absolutely huge. (Super expensive too!)

I think the demasionis are very cool, but they are one of the more aggressive species and will often kill their tankmates.

I would like a variety of color in this tank. The female Red Zebras are a pretty orange color.

I guess it all depends what I have available in this area though. I have to see what my crappy LFS carries and go from there.

It looks like I'll be going with a 55gal tank. I found one on craigslist for $80. It comes with 2 Aquaclear filters (a 50 and a 70) and 2 good heaters, but no stand. A good deal as the heaters and filters alone would cost me over $100 new. I get to pick it up tomorrow when I'll be down in Madison.

[mr gerbil]

The tank sounds good, especially with the filters...

[Nell]

well, I just got back from my LFS to scope out what they had for cichlids.

They only had 1 tank with a few africans in it, and half of them looked sick or half dead.
I also noticed that they were now stocking "painted" mollies (white mollies injected with dye) as well as "fruit loop" tetras (dyed white skirts) and "painted" glassfish.
If that wasn't enough, they also had a cage of brand new cute little kittens for sale.
I hate that place. I HATE THAT PLACE. I hate it!!!!!
I have made up my mind that I will no longer be shopping there.

What makes it even worse is that the only other place to get fish in this town is Petco.

Guess I may have to start looking out of town for my fish or have to take my chances with Petco. :(

[mr gerbil]

Sounds bad. Where's the nearest place to you?

[Nell]

Appleton is about 15-20 min drive north of here. Its a significantly bigger town so they might have a few fish shops. They have a Petsmart there and I do prefer them to Petco. If I'm lucky I might find a specialty shop that is a bit more ethical and clean with good fish.

I know there is also an aquarium shop in Fond du Lac, which is about 20-30 min drive south of here, last I was in there is seemed good...but that was years ago.

[mr gerbil]

Good luck searching! Decent shops are harder to find these days...

[Nell]

no kidding! :(

well, I'm off till late sat/sunday.
Will let you all know when I come back with my new tank!

[mr gerbil]

Sounds good. Good luck!

[Cottontail]

Good luck Nell!

[Catmakemebark]

You could always order ciclids! aqua bid is like the ebay of the fish world. You can get tank supplies and fish.
They have alot of ciclids there (like 100 pages) for sale. A while ago I was look for some tang fish and I saw a Texas Frontosa. It was like $100. But you can get like a pair of malawi for $2. The shipping is really cheap. Thats were I get my brine shrimp.
I think aquarium talk . net sells nice ciclids as well.