36 gal for AC's

[Cavjock22]

Folks
i want to convert my now community tank into a Chlid tank.. First I'm trying to find a home for my current stock then want to start new. Please share your thoughts with what to stock. Would like pairs or more of each.. Need brilliant colors and would like some personality... Pleas help this newb!!

Plan is to keep blue gravel and mix in some black. Scape it with some driftwood and large rocks... I run an Eheim 2213 for filtration..

[morpheus]

first thing i would consider is what region you prefer. cichlids some from african rift lakes. there are also species from SA and CA. generally the african species are more aggressive IMO, and tend to get larger (so species from lakes malawi and victoria i would steer away from with a 36g).

there are many nice shell dwellers from lake tanganyika. they all stay small (in the 2 inch max length range). you can essentially build an entire colony. they may not be the most brilliantly colored, but definitely fun to keep. other options from lake tanganyika, but can get into the 5" range as adults, are brichardi and leleupi if you have maybe one breedig pair. they will explode in population (multi generational colony).

the SA and CA regions will offer more colorful cichlids. kribensis have some nice coloration, and many in the apistogramma family are quite nice. rams have some nice varieties too

i personally like this site. it gives a lot of detail on each fish species. habitat, adult size, tankmates, feeding, breeding, etc.

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/

[ptran]

A colony of Daffodil.

[ptran]

A breeding pair of Leulepi.

[BIG FISH]

Small group of Demasoni, yellow labs, or Salousi. - these all stay around 4".
You could do a pair of cool julies and a goby cichlid, buffalo cichlids, or go the planted route and do kribensis.
Or you could do jewel cichlids. there a ton of options.

heres a good link..

http://cichlid-forum.com/profiles/

[morpheus]

Small group of Demasoni, yellow labs, or Salousi. - these all stay around 4".
You could do a pair of cool julies and a goby cichlid, buffalo cichlids, or go the planted route and do kribensis.
Or you could do jewel cichlids. there a ton of options.

heres a good link..

http://cichlid-forum.com/profiles/

jewels do have a nice red color. they breed readily too. demasoni are nice as well.

i do have quite a few yellow lab juvies if interested later in the 1.5-2" range. usually sell for $2 each

[ptran]

Hongi Sweden! They stay small around 2-3" at full size and very colorful.

http://www.houstonfishbox.com/vforums/showthread.php?67872-Rare-Hongi-Sweden-Breeders&highlight=hongi+sweden

[ptran]

jewels do have a nice red color. they breed readily too. demasoni are nice as well.

i do have quite a few yellow lab juvies if interested later in the 1.5-2" range. usually sell for $2 each

Jewels are very nice with red and pear color, but they can get big 4-5".

[Cavjock22]

Thanks for all the response's.. I'll begin researching based on every bodies ideas... Thanks

[Cavjock22]

What in your opinion are the most entertaining specie of AC's?

[ptran]

I have to vouch for Tanganyika. LOL

[Cavjock22]

I have to vouch for Tanganyika. LOL

Why?? What makes them entertaining??

[BIG FISH]

Why?? What makes them entertaining??

I know what that the malawi keepers out there will disagree, but Tanganyikans have more personality in my opinion and from my experiences with different malawi and tanganyikan fishes.

[ptran]

I know what that the malawi keepers out there will disagree, but Tanganyikans have more personality in my opinion and from my experiences with different malawi and tanganyikan fishes.

+1.

IME, Tangs seems to be smarter fish based on their social structure, behavior, and personality. Too many species to mention but for example, the shellies have this "bull dog" personality to guard their shells and raising their fry. I think it's very interesting and entertaining to watch. You might have to do some research on your own to decide what's best for your taste.

[morpheus]

each fish does have its own personality, but i did like the tangs social structure when i kept them. had multiple breeding pairs, multiple generations from each pair all coexisting (which you generally dont see in many malawi colonies). the tangs also do tend to stay smaller than the malawis, so for your tank size, i would lean that route personally