What type of Cichlids should I get?

Question

I'm getting either a 36 or 47 gallon tank for my room... I want live plants, and I don't want to upgrade the tank so suggestion? oh and pebbles or sand?

Answer 1

you should get a 50 Gal tank.  its a good size for most Cichlids.  You can find used ones for cheap on Craigslist. com.  Do your reasearch.  see what fish will fit your needs.  

I like going to fish stores and watching the fish I am interested in.  I like to see them in action.  

Here is a link to African Cichlids.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/aquar...

And here are the new world Cichlids.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/aquar...

Answer 2

Most cichlids, both SA and African like digging, so would quickly uproot  your plants.  The ones that wouldn't  are angelfish, discus and possibly severums.

In a 47-50 gallon tank I'd put 6 angels, 2 clown or bristlenose plecos, 6 black skirt tetras and 4-6 cory cats.

You could put in 2-3 kribensis instead of the tetras if you prefer.

Answer 3

Live plants are really hard to keep with Cichlids....

Malawi are my favorite!

Answer 4

If you want live plants, you can cross off any of the Rift Lake Cichlids-- the only African Cichilds I would really even consider would be Kribs and other fish in the Plevicachromis genus.  Any of the South American dwarves would be fine as well, like Rams, Apistos, smaller Dwarf Pike, Nannacara, Dwarf Rainbows, or larger, docile Cichilds like Angels, Discus, Acara, Festivums, and Keyholes would work well.  Obviously, the larger the fish, the fewer you can keep.  This also depends largely on whether you get the 36 or the 47.  In the 36, I wouldn't recommend Angels, Discus, or Acara due to their height, sensitivity, and size respectively.  A few of the dwarves would be much better choices.

For live plants, I much prefer sand-- it allows fine root hairs to develop properly, while gravel is too course.  Just make sure you have some way of keeping the sand from compacting-- Malaysian Trumpet Snails, occaisional stirring, or even just coarser sand, like diatomaceous earth (pool filter sand).

Answer 5

I would go with an African cichlid I used to have 3 they lived a while and were nice