55 gallon first time cichlid tank

[Goldfish loach boy]

Ok guys, very soon, I'm going to be setting up my first cichlid tank, I am very excited!
I really like the black convicts, and I was wondering if I could keep one, I know they are South American and shouldn't go with African, but I'm hoping I can do it
These are the fish I have access to, can you guys give me a number of fish and which I should get?
Thanks
Also any background info in them will be highly appreciated( diet, care, temp.)
Thank you
Black convict
Kenyi
Electric yellow lab
Jewel cichlid
Electric blue
Bumble bee
Auratus
Acei cichlid
Also, any other fish that can go with them, preferably bottom feeders?
Thanks

 

[CalebZachary]

I wouldn't put them with the africans. Just not a smart idea for many reasons. Go african, or american.

 

[Goldfish loach boy]

Ok, I guess I'm going African, I want to put more fish in the tank, and the Americans are too agressive to keep with others, they only have blood parrots, oscars, convicts, and another type that's pretty agressive
Which Africans should I use? I want something colorful, and how many?

 

[Nolan]

Cichlid Profiles has all of the "background information" on virtually any cichlid you can name (and a lot you can't).

 

[Nolan]

Cookie Cutter - 55-gallons will get you pointed in the right direction for stocking. Also try to google "55 gallon cichlid stock" or similar variations. There are many posts on this forum, and many others like it with lots of information and suggestions.

 

[Fishman007]

Ok guys, very soon, I'm going to be setting up my first cichlid tank, I am very excited!
I really like the black convicts, and I was wondering if I could keep one, I know they are South American and shouldn't go with African, but I'm hoping I can do it
These are the fish I have access to, can you guys give me a number of fish and which I should get?
Thanks
Also any background info in them will be highly appreciated( diet, care, temp.)
Thank you
Black convict
Kenyi
Electric yellow lab
Jewel cichlid
Electric blue
Bumble bee
Auratus
Acei cichlid
Also, any other fish that can go with them, preferably bottom feeders?
Thanks

All of those fish are fine but no convict just for good measure.

 

[Fishman007]

Heres a sight on pictus catfish i found


http://badmanstropicalfish.com/profiles/profile70.html

 

[Goldfish loach boy]

Wow, that's pretty cool!

So how many of each can I keep? 2 of each? And how many pictus cats?

 

[Fishman007]

Wow, that's pretty cool!

So how many of each can I keep? 2 of each? And how many pictus cats?

Wait sorry man wrong catfish lol i got confused.

 

[Fishman007]

Its a synodontis not a pictus

 

[Goldfish loach boy]

Oh ok, so like a synodontis lace catfish?

 

[Fishman007]

Heres a website on the synodontis


http://badmanstropicalfish.com/syn_catfish.html

Btw synodontis is the one who lays there eggs with the cichlids and id say 1-3

 

[Fishman007]

Synodontis petricola is a good one for african cichlids and will again lay their eggs with the ACs eggs

 

[Goldfish loach boy]

Wow, ok I'll look into the Petricola catfish thanks!

 

[Fishman007]

Wow, ok I'll look into the Petricola catfish thanks!

Welcome

 

[Goldfish loach boy]

Do you think it's good to get 2 of each species, it will end up being 12 cichlids, is that too much?

 

[bmarine]

You want to overstock africans to reduce aggression, i think even 15 would be okay.

 

[Goldfish loach boy]

Oh wow really?! That's cool, never heard of oberatocking being ok, lol
If I add one more of each species I will have 18, should I keep it to 15 or is 18 ok?

 

[bmarine]

African mbuna are one of the only types of fish that should be overstocked. And i think 18 is maybe pushing it, it could be okay, but i'd stick with about 15.

 

[Goldfish loach boy]

Ok, I'll stick with 15 and pick three of the ones we really like, thanks!