Fairy cichlid

[twiggin]

Hi

I'm looking for a generally peaceful cichlid species for a 30 gallon tank. It is unstocked (in fact uncycled) still. I have a number of limestone boulders in it, so I'm guessing that the pH is going to be best for African species (still waiting to do the tests though).

I like the sound (and the look) of the fairy cichlid (Neolamprologus brichardi). Does anyone have any experience with them? Or others from the genus? And perhaps more to the point, any tips on finding them? I've tried a few online searches but they've led to dead ends. Any good sites to post wanted notices on?

thanks!

[Lab_Rat]

Brichardi are actually a tanganyikan cichlid. They breed like convicts and are pretty aggressive, just not super aggressive when compared to other african cichlids. You could likely keep a breeding trio in there, but nothing else would be able to fit.

You can locate them all over. Have you tried Aquabid?

[Red]

Agreed, but the brichardi have to be in a tank by themselves, because they will kill anything else.

[Swifterz]

i would stick it with acei

[Red]

i would stick it with acei

I tenderly disagree with that statement, acea is a type of mbuna, which tend to be aggressive. (not as some other mbuna) But they need a 55gal min. IMO.

[twiggin]

thanks for your input everyone.
I've seen recommendations for tanks that include some generally peaceful fish in the same tank as less aggressive cichlids. That's kind of what I'm going for. From what I'd read, brichardi sounded like it might be a good one for that set-up. but I guess you all have a different opinion on that. I definitely got the sense that convicts were much more aggressive than brichardis.

Still open to suggestions...

[sailor]

That would be a nice size tank for shell dwellers such as many of the 'Lamprologus' brevis or 'Lamprologus' ocellatus.
Another good pick would be any of the Julidochromis
again these are from Lake Tanganyika not from Malawi.
Like the Brichardi the Julies can be pretty mean once they pair up and spawn.

[sanddigger]

Since this is posted under Malawi, I would suggest Rusties and Yellow Labs. They would need a bigger tank eventually then you specified. Both are mild in aggression.

LakeTang Sailor's right and on it, spot on. ( he knows his tangs:ssmile: )

Most tangs pair up, breed, become family, and kill anything else in their way.

When I had my Daffodil pulchers, once they paired up, spawned, they even tried to kill my petricolas. (I never thought they would go after them) Once the family "thing" starting happening it was crazy. I must say I had one happy male:19:

[Lab_Rat]

Since this is posted under Malawi, I would suggest Rusties and Yellow Labs. They would need a bigger tank eventually then you specified. Both are mild in aggression.



They may be mild for mbuna, but a 30g is way too small for either of those species.