Having a dilemma... Should I go Cichlid?

[TheCommunityCichlid]

Originally Posted by NYgiantsRP

You need good filtration, a light of your choice, and a heater. With african cichlids you can get super colorful fish in all different shapes and size. Africans usually have to be overstocked to keep the aggressive down and there is no bullying. South Americans cichlids are a less colorful, but just as beautiful and have a little more "personality" then Africans. Some South American tanks can also be more of a community with different types of schooling fish to go along with the cichlids.

Be careful what you say! This is the basic stereotype. If you want color and personally dont over look south americans. Some species of South America are more beautiful than Africans IMO

[molliwopp]

OP i would test your well waters parameters and then decide which continent/lake to keep. I like all cichs but only keep africans due to my natural water parameters. But to generalise i find africans the most beautiful but have a real soft spot for a jack dempsy.

Realisticly in a 40breeder if looking at africans your rather limited because of the length and size of the tank. Shell dwellers or Dwarf mbuna species are fair options.

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[fishyfriends3]

There's plenty of great dwarf cichlids out there with great color and personality. Don't fall into the trap of thinking cichlids are just Malawi mbuna.

[NYgiantsRP]

Originally Posted by TheCommunityCichlid

Be careful what you say! This is the basic stereotype. If you want color and personally dont over look south americans. Some species of South America are more beautiful than Africans IMO

Don't worry, I know what I'm saying. Just trying to give some generalizations to help out someone that dosent know much about cichlids. That why I use words like "usually". And that little guy is gorgeous but has nothing on some peacocks and haps. Let be real. I'm a South American guy too, but the Africans are more colorful.

[molliwopp]

Originally Posted by fishyfriends3

There's plenty of great dwarf cichlids out there with great color and personality. Don't fall into the trap of thinking cichlids are just Malawi mbuna.

For sure, indeed there are too many cichlids to count but not too many dwarfs for a 40g that can be kept in any sort of numbers together in a strictly cichlid only tank. Which is what i thought the OP was asking for? If wanting to keep cichlids rather than a community, Dwarf mbuna and shellies are forefronters as alot are found in groups in the wild. Where im pretty sure that most of the sa/ca dwarfs cant be kept in these sort of numbers. Want TTC to chime in now because he'll know the answer to this.

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[fishyfriends3]

Does the op want cichlids only or dwarf cichlids with dither fish ? I thought the op was open to suggestions.

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