cichlid advice

[finny al]

Hi All! I've read this site for quite some time, but just finally registered. I will be setting up a new tank soon (37 gallon oceanic with a magnum canister). I'm thinking of venturing into the foray of cichlids for the first time. I've kept all sorts of tropical and goldies in the past, but never cichlids. Here's my questions:

1. I love brichardis. Any colorful africans that would mix well with them?
2. Are there any scavengers (cats, etc.) that would do well in that tank?
3. I'm planning to put some limestone rock (I know it will raise the [acronym:fdc3d00f96="power head or Measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions, depending on context"]PH[/acronym:fdc3d00f96]), so I want to make sure I pick species that can handle the high [acronym:fdc3d00f96="power head or Measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions, depending on context"]PH[/acronym:fdc3d00f96]. Any thoughts?
4. Stocking advice- I don't want to overstock, so can you advise on how many of each type?

Thanks,
Alicia

[Endgame319]

1. Yes you could do brichardi, but then you would only be able to have other tanganyika cichlids and maybe some small synodontis cats.
2. Small synodontis cats such as Synodontis multipunctatus would work.
3. All african cichlids like high pH, 8+ is reccomended.
4. Pick out some other cichlids you like from here and we'll see what could work.
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/s...21&pCatId=1824

[finny al]

thanks for the suggestions. I liked the Marlieri and the Orange Leleupi. I know that they are both smaller cichlid species, so I think that they would work. What do you think?

[Endgame319]

Both of those fish can mix with brichardi but beware that if any of the fish want to breed, they will get VERY aggressive.

[Menagerie]

[center:6954c30c5e] Welcome to AA, finny al!! [/center:6954c30c5e]
Here is another great site to see who will be compatable:
http://www.mongabay.com/fish/species_index

[finny al]

Thanks Menagerie. Great site.

[Menagerie]

I have a fish recommendation for you, but as usual, I can't think of the species. The genus is Julidochromis. They all look similar, but some are smaller. Definitely stay away from shell dwellers-learn from me--I had to get another tank for my shellies *sigh*

[Voodoo Chilli]

I wouldn't suggest keeping brichardi with the julies and leleupi in a tank that size. Brichardi are prolific breeders and excellent parents- and will claim the entire tank as their own, in order to protect their offspring. You might get by with that combination in a larger tank, but 37 gallons just won't provide enough territory for the brichardi to feel comfortable with other tankmates...

As far as scavengers for Rift Lake systems go- you can't beat S. petricola or multipunctatus. They can sometimes be difficult to locate and usually aren't cheap, but they're great specimens to add to your aquarium.

[fishstixs05]

What happened to your shell dwellers Menagerie? I have 20 gallon with a harem of Neolamprolougus multifaciatus and a pair of brichardi together in a 20 gallon with no problem..did the brichardi kill the shell dwellers?

[sicklidkid]

I have to disagree with the statement that brichardi can only be kept with other tangs. I have seen many keep them with malawi peacocks and yellow labs fine. I think brichardi and yellow labs would be a fine match.