Another tank - another question...

[Stuquarium]

hi guys,
since a bit of a clean out i've actually got a spare 4ft tank, i tried to sell it on ebay, but no one wanted it. so i've decided to keep it and set up up as a cichlid tank, the question is.. what breed?

its 55g - 4ft long,

it''ll have a sand substrate, moderate lighting and mostly rock i think.

i'd like to try breeding some cichlids but i dont know what's easiest. i;ve only kept peaceful cichlids before.

i'm thinking, african, oscars, or lake malawi..

how many oscars could i put in a 55g? or peacocks? any other brees that would suit a 55g tank ?

[Psyhampster]

you could do 1 oscar in a 55 I belive. um, for other stuff, maybe a small colony of the Malwai(I think) chiclids, like Yellow Labs. If you want to breed, go with convicts.

[Dragonmommy]

convicts are the bunnies of the fish world, completly effortless to breed them, lol... I found this out the hard way.

[Stuquarium]

lol... so for that reason don;t get convicts?

can there be money made out of them ?

it would be cool to have some convict fry about

[Dragonmommy]

my lfs traded me for one batch of convicts, but after that they were overstocked too!!!

[greenmaji]

I wouldnt advise A oscar for a tank smaller then 75 gallons..
rift lake inhabitants is a possibility..
for cichlid setups for the 55 gallon.. check out this link..
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/article...cutter_55g.php

[Stuquarium]

thats a great site!

i'm looking at a mbuna communty,
so far i want
6 x red zebra (2 male)
3x eletric yellows (1 male) (i could go for 6 of these too)

according to that site i can only pick 3 species fomr the mbuna, so i;ve picked 6 of the 2 i like the most..

i hope my LFS has the red zebra's they are beautiful fish!

[Fishyfanatic]

You can have more than 3 species. Just be sure that they are all Mbuna and have the same temperment. For example, the Auratus is out. The Red Zebras are pretty cool, we have a female. There are two variations of the Red Zebra. The Maylandia Estherae and Maylandia Estherae Blue/Red They are pretty much peaceful, and so are the yellow labs. You could have 6 of the Red Zebras (2M, 4F) and 6 Labs (2M, 4F). Acei's also make good tankmates.

[Lonewolfblue]

How about green terrors? Would a pair work in a 55G? And if so, is there another fish that could go in with them?

[Stuquarium]

yeah cool. i think i might go with that stocking list fishyfanatic.

it's gunna rock!

[Fishyfanatic]

In that case, a suggested stocking option: 4 Red Zebras (1M, 3F), 4 Labs (1M, 3F), and 4 Acei's (1M, 3F). Then of course a dwarf pleco and you're all set. I wouldn't add a higher number of fish besides the numbers listed until the tank is stocked and you can see whether more fish is advisable. Plus, you may have fry which will ultimately stock itself. Just be sure you have plenty of rockwork and hiding places and you're all set.

[Stuquarium]

yup will do fishy,

the tanks setup, it's cyling now, i'll get the rock in a wee or so, and then the fish
it's gunna look great!

[Fishyfanatic]

Glad I could help, I love Africans. Sounds like you are definately on your way! I can't wait to see pics once you have the fish. And its great that you are cycling before adding fish. Which method are you using for cycling?

[Stuquarium]

cycling i use a fish, i use a paradise fish i bought a long time ago, and he has cycled all my tanks for me, he's a trooper.

i will be sure to add pics onces its up and running