How many african cichlids can i fit in my 55 gallon tank?

[SKB]

First off, I am new to this website forum and would like to say hello. I do have a tank and some fish. I have a 55 gallon tank with a filter, 2 heaters and a long waterfall aerator. I have 2 African cichlids in there with a pleco that is approximately 8-10 inch. I was wondering what other fish I could maybe put In their or how many more cichlids I could have?

 

[freyar]

It depends what kind of cichlids you have in there now!

 

[SKB]

I stated above I have 2 African cichlids in my tank already along with a large pleco

 

[foster53]

It really depends on what species of A.Cichlids you have now. Some are not compatable with others. If you can tell us your present species we can help you decide what you can get.

 

[SKB]

I am not sure

 

[SKB]

Where I bought them didn't say what specific African cichlids it was so I can't say more then that because i don't know.

 

[freyar]

Maybe you could post a picture ofthem? There are many people who are very knowledgeable who could tellyou what you have.

 

[SKB]

 

[Andrew McFadden]

Can you get some better pictures? I can't see them very well but the first picture looks like maybe a Ob zebra and the second maybe a red zebra.

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/lake-malawi-mbuna-stocking-dcor-hardware/

 

[SKB]

 

[SKB]

 

[Maxkolbe]

I'd say I'd agree with what Was said before. The one with the spot is the OB and the plain red/orange one is the regular.

 

[SKB]

Ok we'll I bought them together and they were in the same tank at the pet store and they act fine together. But what other kind of fish can I mix with them?

 

[Andrew McFadden]

Ok we'll I bought them together and they were in the same tank at the pet store and they act fine together. But what other kind of fish can I mix with them?

Read threw the article I posted above it will help you more now to read it then what can be said in one short paragraph here. Here's a couple little quick notes
-Just because they are put together in stores doesn't mean they can be together long term. A little research on your part looking up fish "profiles" will go a long way. Note the aggression behavior and size of each one.

-You should only stock lake Malawi mbuna with mbuna.
- you should only stock them if they don't reach over 5".
- only mild aggressive should be stocked together or aggressive together and so on and so on.

 

[Andrew McFadden]

Here is a profile for the one "red zebra"
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1730

If you go to the link below you can search for all. The first thing I would do if your not going to order online is see what all the lfs can get. Then get a list from them and go home and look them up to figure out what all you can have or keep with the others.
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/

 

[SKB]

Ok thank you.

 

[Andrew McFadden]

Ok thank you.

If you get stuck or have more questions just let us know.

 

[SKB]

I will I don't want my lil guys getting hurt or anything!!