Stting up a tank for cichlids

[boeytan]

im going to setup a cichlids tank, usually what u guy built for their habitats? using stone?

[Cichlid Connections]

Boey,

U got to be more specefic in what sort of cichlids you are going into....
I am assuming you are going for Malawis ..... afterall they are the most common cichlids found in any LFS. Malawi Mbunas prefer rocky setup with sandy substrate. Some are sand sifters which means they rummage through sand for food and use them sandy substrate to clear out their gills. Stack the rocks high and make lotsa nooks and crevices. Advice is not to put in any driftwood as any decaying matter will soften your water (not to say that Malawis are not adaptable) just that they will not often show their true splendour in acidic water. You can overstock on fishes.. but makes sure your mechanical filter is good. In any case..... don't be fooled by LFS in buying the Jewel Neon (Hemichromis Bimaculatus) and Texas Cichlid (Herichthys Carpinte) as the former is a West African that prefers a river setup and the latter being a Central American which grows out too large for African Rift Lakes.

[boeytan]

thank Ciclids. How about frontosa? my plan is like this.. since my tank is 3" length, i going to separate 1" out for frontosa as i scare other cichlids is too aggresive... Is frontosa easy to die?

[standoyo]

hi boey,

look up frontosa, you will find they will eventually be too large for a three feet tank. [12-16 in!] good thing for you is they grow very slowly. so eventually you will need bigger tank in years to come...they live longer than ten years...

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/c_frontosa.php


stan

[RazorBlade]

1ft for a Frontosa, even juvies, is kinda small & will stunt the growth of your Frontosa. At least a 2ft tank for juvenile Frontosa, preferably 3ft. Apparently Fronts get spooked pretty easily so less rocks may be the way to go.

As for Malawi Mbuna cichlids - more & more rocks. Sand is preferred, but they do fine with small-sized gravel as well.

Happy Fishkeeping!

[Plecowhacko]

Well for a three feet tank, i would like to say that your frontosas will not have the best of space. Heck...even a 4ft tank is considered small. They can be aggressive towards one another and a 3-4ft tank is not considered spacious. They can get real big. 5 feet would be a minimum requiremnt for a group or if u still want, 3ft for a single fish.

For 3ft, the best cichlids will have to be mbunas, tropheus (for pros only), julidochromis, lamprologines and all small fishies. These are usually small sized so won't need much of a big space.

CC do have some nice stocks...u can ask him to bring for you if he goes to Penang...