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African Cichlids


Williebubba

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G`day

At the moment i have some cichlids and other tropical fish. i'm wanting to convert my 3ft tank into a african cichlid tank but don't know what other fish to get. at the moment i have some electric Yellows,kribensis,boliviens and congo tetras. i was wondering if somepeople could get me started in the right direction for an african cichlid tank.

Cheers Will

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Hahaha depends on your point of view wink.gif Just kidding, a good way.

After keeping cichlids you probably won't be too interested in going back to gourami and 'reglar' tropicals. The personality of some cichlids is more like having another dog or cat then a fish. You will notice distinct personalities, some angry, some playful. Some will even eat out of your hand and let you pat them. They will get excited when you get home from school/work and sulk when you go on holidays.

You also wont stop at one tank. It starts with one, moves to two ... then four ... then ten and so on. Eventually you'll be looking at a fish room specifically designed to house your thirty odd tanks. You'll start making your own food and filters, attending cichlid society meetings and hording aquarium paraphanalia you'll never ever use.

Cichlids are addictive mate. Right now you might be satisfied with electric yellows from your local aquarium. But after a while you will be confronting Nigel about importing X species for you direct from the lake. Suddenly $100 a fish won't seem so rediculous and $500 for a breeding colony of catfish will be a real 'steal'.

Yes these are all generalisations, but what I am really trying to say is that youre about to step into a whole new world of fish keeping my friend, and you're going to love it!

Welcome to the forum, it won't be long before you're handing out advice of your own smile.gif

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Hahaha  depends on your point of view wink.gif Just kidding, a good way.

After keeping cichlids you probably won't be too interested in going back to gourami and 'reglar' tropicals. The personality of some cichlids is more like having another dog or cat then a fish. You will notice distinct personalities, some angry, some playful. Some will even eat out of your hand and let you pat them. They will get excited when you get home from school/work and sulk when you go on holidays.

You also wont stop at one tank. It starts with one, moves to two ... then four ... then ten and so on. Eventually you'll be looking at a fish room specifically designed to house your thirty odd tanks. You'll start making your own food and filters, attending cichlid society meetings and hording aquarium paraphanalia you'll never ever use.

Cichlids are addictive mate. Right now you might be satisfied with electric yellows from your local aquarium. But after a while you will be confronting Nigel about importing X species for you direct from the lake. Suddenly $100 a fish won't seem so rediculous and $500 for a breeding colony of catfish will be a real 'steal'.

Yes these are all generalisations, but what I am really trying to say is that youre about to step into a whole new world of fish keeping my friend, and you're going to love it!

Welcome to the forum, it won't be long before you're handing out advice of your own smile.gif

Exactly.. raisehand.gif

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Oh dear what have I gone and done wink2.gif

But in all seriousness champ, welcome to the forum. I hope you really enjoy your new hobby and are just as eager to learn and get involved as you are to fill that tank with feisty cichlids cool.gif

All the best, and if you ever have in 'dumb' questions don't be afraid to ask. But do yourself a favour and take a look through the FAQ first, it might save you some typing!

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i have to defend normal tropical "tetra" fish here cause sometimes there isnt anything better than ahving a display tank chocked full of smaller less aggressive fish and it almost being a natural enviroment with everything just sorta swirling around in a tank of amazonian colours wub.gif .then again having fish with actual "personallitys" is good too like my oscars that would eat out of my hand and my princess cichlid (neo. brichardi) who is the "ultimate dad"

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G'day Williebubba

To answer the original question, I would suggest saulosi. These guys are a fantastic fish. Look after their water requirements and they will almost certainly have a mouthful waiting for you.

But I will get back to the original cliche. Buy the fish that interest YOU. shock.gif

Because if you like them you will love, watch and look after them very happily.

Just research the fish you like the look of, so my advice would to head towards a large Fishy establishment and LOOK at the fish, write down the names and remember to research yes.gif before you purchase.

hth

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I wish some-one had told me that when I got my first tank. Up to 11 and counting....   

Hi there welcome to the forum

In just over 2 years I have a fishroom, and 19 tanks and still counting. I agree with Matthew, saulosi are great start they have character colour and everything to make a tank look bright and happy. But as he also said make sure you do some research in to fish you want to keep, I didn't when I started and made some expensive mistakes (in saying that I still am blink.gif ). And don't forget to ask people especially on this forum, the advice from people here is invaluable.

cheers

Rosco

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