new tank

[hockeydude15]

i am transforming my 38 gal tank to put cichlids into it. I did some research and found some fish i would like to put into the tank. I looked mostly for the more inexpensive fish and tried to find peaceful fish. I want to get sand to replace gravel and a penguin 330 powerfilter instead of the ugf.i heard they like caves so im making one.

are these fish able to live together?? I know some are a little agressive... flavus, peacocks, yellow labs, kribs, multies and mabye cyps

am on the right track with the decor of the tank???

any suggestions on inexpenssive mainly peaceful fish i should look into getting??

 

[Endgame319]

Ok, you are definately are on the right track with the decor, but peaceful cichlids is kind of an oxymoron. The only cichlids that are even a little peaceful are angels, and most dwarf cichlids, but even they get aggressive during breeding. Cichlids love digging and sand is a good idea, the power filter is also a good idea as ugfs can clog and are unreliable. But I would reccomend the aquaclear brand, specifically the AC500, then you won't have to worry about filtration at all. And Malawi cichlids arent "a little aggressive". They are about as aggressive as you can get with fish, and they should only be kept with other malawis. If you still want to go the peacful route. Look into angels and dwarf cichlids (rams, apistos, peacocks).

 

[Menagerie]

I know some are a little agressive... flavus, peacocks, yellow labs, kribs, multies and mabye cyps

Yellow labs are aggressive (if they are the ones I am thinking of). If you could give the scientific names, that would be helpful. The other thing I highly recommend is getting cichlids that originate from the same area. These will have the same water needs and often the same types of temperaments. Check out this site: http://www.mongabay.com/fish/species_index

The best thing you can do is RESEARCH before buying even one cichlid. After years, my fiance and I finally have a semi-peaceful Mbuna tank. No, I have not lost my mind, Mbuna cichlids are not peaceful, but they are no longer ripping each other to shreds
You need to provide the proper environment and pray that you don't get a breeding pair, because the pair WILL take over the take I tried keeping brichardi with N. multi and the little shellies did NOT hide in their shells and the brichardi tried to take advantage of that. The brichardi are in their own 20 gal and the shellies, their own 10 gal. That's one more tank I wasn't planning on

 

[hockeydude15]

i just looked at cookie cutter tanks(something that gives u a good community with the same needs. But i dont know much about these fish. I looked at pictures of them and i like them. But i dont know how availible they are and how expensive.
It says
1. Haplochromis Sp. "Ruby Green" - trio
2. Labidochromis caeruleus - trio
3. Ancistrus temminckii "Bristlenose Pleco" - 2

I would consider this but i still like the yellow labs(Labidochromis caeruleus), kribs and peacocks.

 

[deli_conker]

i heard they like caves so im making one.

You're going to need MUCH more than one. In my 55, I probably have about 20 smaller "caves" and 10 larger "caves". The easiest way is to stack slate or flat field stone with some smaller rocks to create gaps. You have to make sure that they are very sturdy though. African Cichlids will redecorate as much as they can.

Yellow labs are aggressive. I have a pair of them in my tank right now. Both males. One is tearing the other up. I'm trying to get the first one out of the tank, but that's problem with all those caves; it's really hard to net a fish out.

Yellow labs are pretty cool looking fish, but the less dominant they are in the tank, the less colorful (and in my case, battered).

 

[Menagerie]

I would not recommend yellow labs, kribs and peacocks for the same tank. I have no experience with peacocks, but I have done some research. Yellow labs are Mbuna (rock dwellers) and are aggressive. Mbuna tend to reestablish territory all the time and need other tough fish that will stand up for themselves. Peacocks have a different pecking order and once territories are established, aggression is lessened (or so I have read). I would not keep Mbuna and peacocks together. Kribs are not nearly aggressive as either of them and some people keep them in community tanks; although, I would not recommend that (especially a breeding pair). I am thinking of getting kribs for their own tank with some round bodied tetras.
You certainly do not have to go the cookie cutter route, but you need to research what is out there and what is commonly available. If you like yellow labs, then do a tank of Mbuna (they come in all colors), but get one of each species (that seems to help ).