Alternative to African cichlids......

[Tsaye]

Have a 55gal tank that's being cycled right now. For the past 6 months I've been set on getting African cichlids. The past couple days I've been thinking about doing something different but I can't decide. The reasons I wanted cichlids are: their bright colors, their bigger than the 1-2 inch fish I already have. The reason why I'm against getting them: I like community tanks, I like seeing different kinds of fish with different personality/habits. My tank with be cycled in a couple weeks and I can't decide!! I was thinking of dwarf cichlids, but I need to research and see what kinds can go together and what if any tankmates they can have. I want bright colored bigger fish that are between 3-5 inches. If anyone has any suggestions or info about dwarf cichlids I would love to hear it!

 

[ocean]

I have a pair of dwarf sumbu comps. blue flash, and some shellies in my aquarium. No problems!!

 

[jetajockey]

My vote goes to apistos, nannacara anomala or curviceps. If you aren't stuck on cichlids then go centrarchid and pick orangespotted sunfish, banded/blackbanded sunfish, or bluespotted sunfish.