New setup: goldfish or cichlids?

[CatoeSc]

I hope it's okay, but I'm going to post this in 2 areas to get the attention of 2 different audiences.

I am helping my sister set up her first aquarium, probably between 55 and 65 gallons. She has never kept fish before and doesn't want to spend a ton of money on unnecessary maintenance (ie planted tank).

So, I thought either a lake Malawi cichlids tank or a goldfish tank, neither of which have I kept. Which of these 2 would you think are best for the beginner aquarist?

 

[mscherer63]

Africans are very hardy and tolerant to different water conditions . I think they are much cooler to look at than gold fish. It's fun to watch them change as they mature as well

 

[FishBoy185]

Definitely Africans. Goldfish are boring and everybody already has them.

 

[CatoeSc]

Can you recommend a good stock for a 55 to 65?

 

[CichlidLady0312]

Go w Africian cichilds you wont be disappointed. Happy New Year!!

 

[Scottyhorse]

I'm gunna be the odd man out and say goldies! A planted goldfish tank is awesome. Plus African cichlids seem so overdone, IMO.

 

[Tommy10]

Don't get goldfish

 

[CatoeSc]

Don't get goldfish

Hi there. Can you tell me why? I am looking for the best for a beginner. Are cichlids a better beginner fish?

 

[CatoeSc]

I'm gunna be the odd man out and say goldies! A planted goldfish tank is awesome. Plus African cichlids seem so overdone, IMO.

I have a planted 40B. She's not interested at all in a planted setup. Maybe some floaters, but that's all.

 

[molliwopp]

No they're probably not but then cichlids arn't particularly hard to keep either. To be honest i would call it even on care but goldfish wouldn't need a heater. Cichlids if mbuna would ideally require a nice rock formation too, which could be expensive. Cichlids cost more than goldfish but they arnt expensive by any means either.

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/ you can even use your browser!

 

[mscherer63]

IMO Africans are so much cooler, way more personality and there are so many varieties. They never get boring

 

[Tommy10]

Goldfish aren't harder to keep its just to me and I think most people they are very boring for how much space they need.

 

[CatoeSc]

I've read cichlids should be either stocked heavily or only a few. How many would you recommend in a 55 to 65?

 

[Tommy10]

Depends what type of chiclids, I'm no chiclid expert but I know different types are different sizes and need different thing in the tank

 

[CatoeSc]

Average size mbunas

 

[mscherer63]

Pm sent cato