Cichlid tank setup.?

Question

I have a 30 gallon tank and i was wondering how to set it up for mbuna cichlids. How many can i have. I have heard i can have 1 male and 3-4 females. Also i heard i can have some tankmates that are not cichlids is this true. At the fish store they say i can put a green spotted puffer in with the cichlids.What do they like in their tanks. how do i need to setup the tank and how many fish can i have

Answer 1

I have spotted puffers in with my barbs and they're fine.  I just set up a convict cichlid tank, and now that two have had their tails nipped at, I'm not so sure a puffer is a good idea, as they are nippers, too.  My tank is even a 55 gallon tank and they're still nipping each other, which will be the next question I post!

Answer 2

Why the exact same question as yesterday?  Do you feel I was misleading you?  I don't have 32 years at breeding my Africans like JW does, but I am willing to bet he'll say the same thing I just told you here.  ONLY in this case or with a tank smaller, the other tank mates don't work out, but my tanks are much larger then yours, and I assure you, you can  very well keep community fish with Africans, you just need a larger footprint is all.  I know this because every single one of my breeding tanks have non African cichlid community fish, and they don't get attacked or die.  That's because I keep them in the proper enviroment.

The ratios again, as I told you yesterday are so that any one female doesn't get over targeted for aggression by any male.  Do you have some more questions or just don't believe me?

Answer 3

no, keep your cichlid tank for just cichlids. anything you put in there other than that will die. they will be tormented until they just float with no fins left. in a 30 gal. tank you could easily put 7 or 8  cichlids in there. they need to be in groups so they do not pick on one certain fish. also if you do this make sure you do 1 male to every 2 or 3 females. if you put in 2 different varieties no more than 2 males in the same tank or they will kill the smaller, weaker fish. if you notice a fish hiding in a corner it is probably being picked on and should be removed right away. first make sure it's not a female holding eggs. if you want a really beautiful fish get some cynotalapia afra ( lundu ) white tops they are really cool with lots of color. good luck and enjoy. make sure you have lots of caves, rocks to hide in.