[Nachoqtpie]

It's been a long long time since I've been in the Cichlid world, and since I've slept since then, I pretty much forget just about everything I ever learned about them!

I want to take my 29 gallon tank that has guppies in it now (and put them in my kids tanks) and get some cichlids to put in there.

I found a website that has quite a few awesome looking fish, and I'm just trying to remember what the rules are as far as mixing.

Most of the fish that I've picked from the site are Malawi fish (Mbuna, Peacock, and "Hap"). Should I just stick with the Malawi fish, or could I put OTHERS in there as well (like Victoria or Tanganyika)

 

[7StripeFrontosa]

with something as small as a 29 you should try and stay with the dwarf cichlids

 

[Big-g]

You could try some of the shell dwelling species from Tanganyika. They would work well in that size tank as well.

 

[Nachoqtpie]

Okay! Thanks for the suggestions! I've been toying with the idea of getting a new tank for my bedroom as well. What size tank should I be thinking of for the Malawi? 55? Bigger?

My kids really love the guppies, but, I think I just need something a little more exciting. ;-)

 

[andy27012]

Do not do any shel dwellers, most tanganykians are aggressive and the shell dwellers in particular. I had a breeding group of multis all but take over a 125.

 

[magicpenny75]

You could do a mated pair of Kribensis in a tank that size very easily. They aren't the most colorful of cichlids, but they have a personality. You could put a compatible catfish in there as well and be all set.

 

[Nachoqtpie]

Well... the fish I had picked our were VERY colorful! Whites, yellows, blues, reds..

I want something very colorful!

 

[cwright0312]

You can keep a few of most species in a 29, just not too many. All the mbunas are fairly aggressive and like to have their space. Put in lots of rocks with caves to allow them to pick their space. Everyone always says you must have large tanks for africans, which in general is good, but you can get by with smaller tanks. I use 29 and even 20 gallon tanks for breeding tanks for small groups from time to time. Yellow labs are one group that does not seem to be quite as aggressive. Very bright yellow. P. Saulosi are another group that I have kept 5 or 6 in a small tank with plenty of rock work. They are nice because the males are bright blue with black stripes and the females are a pretty yellow or orange so you get both colors in one group.

 

[danduhman]

This may be of some use... It's what I've been looking at

Cichlid Compatibility Chart