Cichlid beginner

[unitednations161]

I want to start a african cichlid tank, because I have hard, alkaline tap water thats perfect for them. I have a 65 gallon tank, In need of a hood and lights, Any recommendations? Plus, What plants are ok for these tanks? My nitrates are high out the tap so plants keep them down. My other tanks are doing fine with high nitrates if they are planted.

I do want yellow labs, what other fish go well with these? and how many fish are normal for a 65 gallon tank? And what decor should be givin to these fish? I understand I can go look all this up, but real world answers help so much more.

[madagascariensis]

not so sure on the other points, but make sure you crowd african cichlids
because to keep aggression under control. many african cichlids are herbivores or they dig, making plant choices limited. I have heard that vallisneria works best, but you will have to protect its roots.

[kaybee]

I do want yellow labs, what other fish go well with these? and how many fish are normal for a 65 gallon tank?

Generally, aquariums that are 48" in length are considered the minimum for housing mbuna's. However the less aggressive species will probably work in a 36" tank such as the 65gal.

Yellow labs are compatible with pretty much all other mbuna species; in a 65gal you'll want to select species of similar temperament (rusty cichlids, pseudotropheus saulosi, etc). If you omit the saulosi's a single pseudotropheus demasoni can be substituted.

[unitednations161]

Generally, aquariums that are 48" in length are considered the minimum for housing mbuna's. However the less aggressive species will probably work in a 36" tank such as the 65gal.

Yellow labs are compatible with pretty much all other mbuna species; in a 65gal you'll want to select species of similar temperament (rusty cichlids, pseudotropheus saulosi, etc). If you omit the saulosi's a single pseudotropheus demasoni can be substituted.

everyplace online told me that I could house Mbunas in 36" or bigger. So I need to overstock the tank I was told as well, so about how many fish is that?

[kaybee]

In a 65gal tank you're probably looking at 8-16 mbuna's.

Mbuna's are a diverse group of african cichlids. A 36" tank may work for mildly-aggressive mbuna species, but the aggressive, extremely aggressive and hyper-dominant species require more tank length (I wouldn't advise including kenyi, auratus and other aggressive species in 3ft tank).

[unitednations161]

In a 65gal tank you're probably looking at 8-16 mbuna's.

Mbuna's are a diverse group of african cichlids. A 36" tank may work for mildly-aggressive mbuna species, but the aggressive, extremely aggressive and hyper-dominant species require more tank length (I wouldn't advise including kenyi, auratus and other aggressive species in 3ft tank).

I really have no idea what Mbunas are mildly aggressive or ones that aggressive, is there a list of these somewhere? That the common names are included. My fish store is limited on what fish they have.

[escamosa]

For a beginner, I would suggest 4 Rusties, 4 Acies, and 4 Yellow Labs. Those three are the most easy going out of all the Mbuna. BUT, there can always be cranky ones in amongst the not so cranky ones! The theory of crowding Mbuna to keep aggression down should only be used as last resort, in my opinion. A tank that's stocked and set up properly, not overstocked, is the best way to go.

You need plenty of rocks to make up various caves/hiding places for these kinds of cichlids. Breaking up the so called line of sight is very important to limit aggression.

If you can, get 1 male and 3 females of each species of cichlid to limit aggression. If you can't, try and make arrangements with your LFS to take back any really aggressive fish once you have stocked your tank and they start showing that kind of behaviour.

Mbuna love plants. A lot of them will constantly tare them apart. If you really want plants, then Java Fern is a good one to put in with them. They don't really like the taste of it too much. It grows best when it's attached to rocks or driftwood, so that also makes it harder for the cichlids to destroy.

[Goes to 11!]

I really have no idea what Mbunas are mildly aggressive or ones that aggressive, is there a list of these somewhere? That the common names are included.

At the bottom of the page here is a start...

[Old Marine]

Follow escamosa's advice and you will have NO problems, I followed all his advice when i first started with Mbunas and had very few issues

[unitednations161]

any suggestions on the filter and heaters? Im looking at a 62 degree house in the winter. I do have a rena XP 3 on my RES tank and do like that. but any suggestions would be great! What GPH would work?