[gema]

Sorry this is a repost but my question in cichlids section got not replies

I have a odd shaped 36 gal (60 x 12 x 12") which I was planning a community but my husband thinks all of those fish are boring and wants cichlids, he specifically likes the yellow labs. Is this possible? Not really interested in shellies.

*Would it be possible to have yellow labs and another bright colored speciessuch as pseudotropheus acei? Or Cobalt Blue Zebra? How many of each etc, we would like just 2 species.I would love some species suggestions, he really wants something brightly colored*

Because my husband has put in so much effort building the stand he wants some say in the stocking plan. His requirements are colorful, semi aggressive with lots of personality, nothing little and boring such as tetras, he also doesn't like blue rams.He doesn't no alot about fish just pointed out the ones he liked at the LFS which were the African cichlids, a pictus catfish, and the various barbs.

Sorry I don't no much about cichlids but have 4 planted tanks already.

 

[gema]

Anybody?
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[GwenInNM]

Sorry this is a repost but my question in cichlids section got not replies

I have a odd shaped 36 gal (60 x 12 x 12") which I was planning a community but my husband thinks all of those fish are boring and wants cichlids, he specifically likes the yellow labs. Is this possible? Not really interested in shellies.

*Would it be possible to have yellow labs and another bright colored speciessuch as pseudotropheus acei? Or Cobalt Blue Zebra? How many of each etc, we would like just 2 species.I would love some species suggestions, he really wants something brightly colored*

Because my husband has put in so much effort building the stand he wants some say in the stocking plan. His requirements are colorful, semi aggressive with lots of personality, nothing little and boring such as tetras, he also doesn't like blue rams.He doesn't no alot about fish just pointed out the ones he liked at the LFS which were the African cichlids, a pictus catfish, and the various barbs.

Sorry I don't no much about cichlids but have 4 planted tanks already.

You need a bigger tank for those species. I'd say at least 55 gallons, but probably more like 75. Google the fish you want, and you'll find info about care etc. Do you have water that is on the harder side, with high ph? That's what you need for these fish. Rams require completely different water parameters. You're a bit limited because of tank size, in my opinion.

 

[willow]

hi (re yellow labs)
i agree with needing a bigger tank,the thing with cichlids is you need have a big
ratio of females to males,as the males with harass the females to mate,
and as these fish are mouth brooders,they may loose their clutch due
to stress from the males.
lots of filtration,as you have many fish,making lots of mess.
they love to dig in the substrate,so the rock work needs to be placed
very carefully within the tank,because the rocks can fall,then you'll have a smashed
tank.....they like plants,java fern was one in particular i found survived well
with these fish.
hth a bit.

 

[SirReal303]

That tank is plenty big enough for Africans. It's longer than a 55 and the same depth so the height really isn't gonna pose a big problem.

I've got probably 40 Africans in a 55g with a Fluval 305 canister filter on it. Obviously none of them are adults but overstocking with juvenile fish in an African tank will make aggression basically zero out.

I've got yellow labs with white labs, exochromis, venustus, electric blue ahli, all types of mbuna's, pheno's, obliquidens, nyererei, etc etc etc


If you live in an area with good LFS that accept trades and such I would advise overstocking it with juvies until u decide which u like the best. Then I would trade the others in. As adults you'll have to tone it down to maybe 4 or possibly 6 depending on the type/size of Africans you choose.

If you don't have the option of overstocking and then dumbing it down later on I would probably say you have room for 4 adults as long as they aren't haps or one of the bigger Africans such as Frontosa.

Hope that helps. And if you care to see how overstocked my 55 is, www.youtube.com/sirreal303 check out the most recent video. It's in there.