What Africans would you stock?

[seminoleranch]

Okay its been settled that 175 is going to be South American once we move the 55 gallon and empty it I want to turn it into a African tank. Looking for high color for me and as you guys already know husband likes the interactive fish. I looked at some Rusty's today and thought they where pretty but I want more ideas. Nothing too costly as that stocking the 175 is going to be killer.

[FrontosaurusRex]

Simple, common and cheap....

Yellow Labs (Labidochromis Caeruleus)
Red Zebras (Metriaclima estherae)
Cobalt Cichlid (Pseudotropheus Demasoni)

All of those fish are fairly aggressive, brightly colored and entertaining to watch. They dont require a ton of attention and they will work well in a 55g tank. What kind of filtration will you be using on this tank?

[FrontosaurusRex]

I think the best place to get these fish is Fish Land on Westheimer. Andy usually keeps them in stock and really cheap too.

[seminoleranch]

Rex have a HOB on there now rated for a 75g but I plan to add another hight rated HOB before I get anything. I had Labs and Zebras year ago and I know they can place a heck of a load on a system. Was looking for something a little different than the Labs and Zebra maybe. Of course all I had was the yellows and the orange so there maybe a lot more color since I lost mine 5 years ago. What is your thoughts of Peacocks in a 55? Or would there be too much aggression?

[FrontosaurusRex]

Peacocks would be great in a 55g. You could probably fit about 7-10 comfortably depending on size. Fish Gallery has the best looking Peacocks but you'll pay a pretty penny for em.

[seminoleranch]

As long as what ever I get don't run more than $20.00 a fish the husband will let me live lol. Was going to go S/W in it but the cost of the live rock is just killer. Have about 50-60.00 tied up in just the 20 nano already. Figured for the cost of live rock I can have some nice cichlids with just as much color.

[FrontosaurusRex]

Fish Gallery might be able to keep the fish under the $20 mark but I doubt it. Xtreme Fish has a decent selection of Peacocks and they arent too expensive...I'm trying to remember the name of the place I found my German Reds and Lemon Jakes back in the day...I got em for like $12 each. I'll ask my brother if he remembers and let you know. Try Fish Land on Westheimer for the Peacocks as well, they might have some.

[seminoleranch]

cool thanks for the info Rex, I have to call around before I make the drive down there. I am hour and half away since we moved to this whole in the wall town. lol BTW check your inbox.

[FrontosaurusRex]

Check out Old World Cichlids...they might have some fish you could order or Cichlids and Herps. We have links to both in our Forum section. I've found that if you want quality WC or F1 fish, go with an order. You for a fact what you're getting and if you buy in bulk, you usually get a good deal.

[dblondfemme]

I have a breeding pair of sunshine peacocks, a juvie Obi that I would let you get for a reasonable fee and there is an ad for free fish that a friend of mine is trying to get rid of...one of them is a spotted cichlid.. They call him Hunter because he looks like he is in camos... There is also a LARGE Obsidian that I called purple (her color is more like a whitish with hints of purple now).

[seminoleranch]

Pm sent.

[Mzungu]

If you're not in too much of a hurry, another idea would be to wait and attend one of the fish club auctions. Not positive when the next one will be, but there are always some great looking Africans available that you can get for a GREAT price. :)

[FrontosaurusRex]

If you're not in too much of a hurry, another idea would be to wait and attend one of the fish club auctions. Not positive when the next one will be, but there are always some great looking Africans available that you can get for a GREAT price. :)

+1
Thats what I did for my first African tank and I think I stocked it for less that $20.