Blue rams or Cichlids?

[Bferreira]

Hi all! I currently have a pair of German blue rams, and they are great. I am just always so attracted to the regular cichlids, like the yellow lab and such. I was just wondering everyone's opinion on which ones you prefer and why...

 

[Brian_Nano12g]

In terms of African cichlids versus S. American, they both have their attractiveness in unique ways IMO. However, i personally like new world cichlids because of their coloration and iridescence i find to be very appealing. With that said, i love German Blue Rams, Apistos, Firemouths, and Green Terrors... However, with Africans, i do like that you can keep more of them in a tank. And for larger Africans, I've been wanting to do a Frontosa tank someday.

 

[Bferreira]

In terms of African cichlids versus S. American, they both have their attractiveness in unique ways IMO. However, i personally like new world cichlids because of their coloration and iridescence i find to be very appealing. With that said, i love German Blue Rams, Apistos, Firemouths, and Green Terrors... However, with Africans, i do like that you can keep more of them in a tank. And for larger Africans, I've been wanting to do a Frontosa tank someday.

How many do you think I could have in a 29 gallon?

 

[Brian_Nano12g]

I wouldn't mix anymore cichlids with your pair of GBR's. You can just do community fish IMO.

 

[Bferreira]

I wouldn't mix anymore cichlids with your pair of GBR's. You can just do community fish IMO.

I know that. But if I was to give my pair to my LFS and start a cichlid tank, how many could I have?

 

[isiah1820]

I love the mbunas for there aggressiveness and beauty also the variety. Old world

 

[Brian_Nano12g]

I'm not quite sure.... a 29g might be too small for anything other than dwarf cichlids. IMO, GBR's are one of the most attractive of the dwarfs... but if you really want to go African, I'm thinking only Kribs or Shell Dwellers like Multis... But as for the typical malawi tank (with the various colors), a 29g might be too cramped for territories and aggression problems. I haven't done it personally, but if you do a quick search you'll find that question asked a ton of times... here's some links to read:

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f100/30-gal-african-cichlid-setup-95486.html

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f100/how-many-african-cichlids-212446.html

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f100/minimum-tank-size-for-african-cichlids-198121.html

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f100/30-gallon-tank-help-168791.html

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forum...successful-29-gallon-cichlid-tank-166347.html

 

[Freakgecko91]

Most of the commonly available rift lake cichlids (mbuna, peacocks, haps, etc.) get too large and boisterous for a tank as small as a 29. As a general rule of thumb, a rift lake cichlid tank ( excluding shellies and certain other species) should be at minimum of 4 ft long, so a 40 gallon long or bigger