Cichlids...Which ones are the best and why?

[TehTANK]

I am curious to see what everyone here thinks about cichlids and which ones are the best. What makes them better then the others?

[Fishguy2727]

Peacocks from Lake Malawi. As colorful as discus, without the pains of water quality and parameters. Easier to simulate water parameters. Do not get too big. Effortless to breed. Not nearly as aggressive as mbunas. Lots of variety.

[nanaglen2001]

Hi

I wouldnt say there are "good" Cichlids or "bad" Cichlids.

Cichlids are very individual guys. I sometimes think, there is a Cichlid for every type of fish keeper. Like there is a special dog for every dog keeper.

And very often I find out that the Cichlid and his canopener even resemble a bit, like a dog and his owner.:hmm3grin2orange:

So my advice, just find out which Cichlid would fit you.

For instance, I knew from the start my Cichlids are the slightly bullyishy types from Central America and the Pikes. Just a guts feeling, and it was right.

And my dream Cichlids are: the big Pikes and the Vieja family. But alas, as long as I cant afford a 1000 litres tank, they stay a dream.

[cocoa_pleco]

malawis and severums

[jeffs99dime]

i tend to favor dwarf cichlids. that doesn't mean that i don't like africans, central/south americans, etc.

[TehTANK]

Out of all the people in this forum I only have gotten 4 responces????? Come on guys I know all of you that keep Cichlids have an opinion! Help me out here!!!!!

[Fishguy2727]

There are some really nice pikes in THF's PocketProfessional Cichlids book. If those were actually ever available I would jump into those. Many were maxing out at: under a foot, a foot, or 'estimated to be over a foot', which tells me either those species aren't well known enough to get the best out of them, or they are very rare.

[sergo]

i'm slowly changing out my fish in favor of the dwarf cichilds. i'm going dwarfs because i'd like to have more than 2-3 fish in my 55 :)

[2manyfish]

It really all depends on what you are drawn too.....personally speaking I have found that I tend to go for the fish from the americas. I've kept a limited amount of africans but I always get drawn back to angels, dwarf cichlids, oscars, discus, I would love some day to have a texas or red devil.....

[jeffs99dime]

i'm slowly changing out my fish in favor of the dwarf cichilds. i'm going dwarfs because i'd like to have more than 2-3 fish in my 55 :)

good call! when you say "changing out" your fish, what do you mean by that?lol

[Lady Hobbs]

Can't help ya. All I have in the cichlid group is angels but severums are in THE PLAN. :) I also was attracted to the peacocks until I heard you can only have one male in a 55 gallon or two in a 75. I didn't want a whole tank for only one or two pretty ones and all this breeding going on. But rep gave me a good suggestion.....just stick with a tank of all males if you want all color without the breeding.

I hate aggression in a tank and even my angels can be a PITA. You have a big tank and a lot of choices. I think the dwarfs are pretty cool, too.

[Lady Hobbs]

good call! when you say "changing out" your fish, what do you mean by that?lol

He lost his Oscars.