Cichlids for a 30g

[Taurus]

Getting you tank cycled in and stable, making sure all of your equipment is working properly, getting the tank planted should come first.

[JCheco]

ToddnBecka I was just googling the fish you had suggested and I'm really interested, but I keep seeing that they need cool spells how true is this?

[toddnbecka]

I haven't had any problems with my breeding pair being kept warmer. From what I've gathered the Australoheros aren't as sensitive to warmer temps as the Gymnogeophagus from the same region. They take a break between spawns for a while, but that's typical for any cichlid species.
I do have 2 pairs of Gymnogeophagus catalan that don't seem willing to spawn w/out the cooldown period though. They'll be moved into another tank w/out a heater when one becomes available, and the normal winter temps in the basement should suit them well enough.
What seems odd is that the Gymnogeophagus norte were quite happy to spawn regularly in spite of being kept warmer all summer. I sold those off a while back, so I don't know what the long-term effects of warmer temps on them would be, but they seemed to be following the same pattern as the oblongum pair while I had them.

[kaianuanu]

How about some african Mbunas which are from lake malawi. They stay quite small they grow slowly, their really colorful, and people always ask you if thats a marine tank! Their really personable too in larger groups!

[Lab_Rat]

How about some african Mbunas which are from lake malawi. They stay quite small they grow slowly, their really colorful, and people always ask you if thats a marine tank! Their really personable too in larger groups!

Most mbuna are way too big and way too aggressive to be housed permanently in a 30g tank. The only exception may be some of the dwarf species, even then I wouldn't recommend it. I don't consider a 6" mbuna a small fish.

[JCheco]

I'm gonna probably go with some Jewel's. I just met a breeder that lives pretty close to me that has some very good looking stock

[Lab_Rat]

Jewels are wicked aggressive, even a mated pair in a tank that size could get bad.