Starting into africans Maybe

[StylinT]

hey guys I will be turning my 96 gallon tropical tank into a africain cichlid tank but I dont know what kind of fish to get or any prerequsites for them an i thought since so many people here keep an breed them this would be the best place to ask lol

thanks alot

[Marx]

you need rocks.. .. let me know i got tons of it..

[DARKPHREAK]

And you'll need 10 or more fry tanks for when they breed. Thats one of the reasons why we got rid of our cichlids.

[StylinT]

I will need lots of rock so ill get back to ya Marx hahaha

I dont think i wanna get in to breeding them that much though i know i cant stop them from doing that but what i think i want to start is a colony tank of some sort

[328iGuy]

You dont need to breed them, just be careful what you mix for male/female etc....

With that 96 gallon you could make a beatiful Tropheus single species colony tank!!  

[pegasus]

If you decide to go africans and would prefer to wait before plunging into Tropheus, I can give you the same offer I did for Tony and others. Check this post: http://ovas.ca/bridge/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=1728

Maybe I could make the offer to any one who never had africans, would like to setup a tank and has or will be getting an OVAS membership.

[ambushman2j]

And you'll need 10 or more fry tanks for when they breed. Thats one of the reasons why we got rid of our cichlids.

lol well, you don't HAVE to separate them, alot of people I know have good luck breeding their cichlids in the main tank, chances of having all survive are barely any..but anyone who wants to simply enjoy african adults for what they are doesn't need to breed..lately i have simply been leaving the females in the tank as I haven't been motivated to take them out

[ambushman2j]

You have a few choices, you could go malawi mbuna, (colourful, violent .. kinda considered beginner africans) you could go malawi utaka (open water species like haps, aulonacaras, lithobates) or you could go tanganyikan with a whole other range of possibilities

[StylinT]

I ahve decided to go with the tanganyikan colony of some sort i was looking into either N multifasciatus or Lamprologus meleagrise has anyone here ahd any expeirance with this species or know websites about them im having a hard time finding them

[artw]

violent,  beginner... those words really dont belong in the same sentence...  there are mbuna who are far from violent...

[pegasus]

violent, beginner... those words really dont belong in the same sentence... there are mbuna who are far from violent...

C'mon Art! Mbuna have razor sharp teeth that's like street fighters to me. Aulonocara have large lips, more like kissing wrestlers.    
I'll take a mbuna before a betta.

[pegasus]

my 96 gallon tropical tank into a africain cichlid tank

and

either N multifasciatus or Lamprologus meleagrise

These are the smallest shell dwellers, they'll never find themselves.

[ambushman2j]

beginner by african cichlid standards, not fish keeping in general standards.. most people who start into cichlids start with mbuna then diversify to the other types..being that I work in fish store I know what people buy and what stage of their fish keeping they are at, trust me mbuna is the fish all people starting into cichlids keep probly 90%, with the exception of convicts, oscars..

[StylinT]

so are you all saying i shouldnt start with a colony tank ?

[pegasus]

so are you all saying i shouldnt start with a colony tank ?

NO! You start with whatever strikes your fancy. Tell us what you like in a fish, size, color, behavior, breeding habit etc. Give us your first choice and we could possibly help you with the rest.
BTW I'm one who believes you can mix Malawi, Tangs & Victorian. All of the same Lake, then go Tangs (less hybridation).
Colony: Tropheus, Demasoni not a good choice for a start. (Controling their agression is quite different)

[ambushman2j]

lol start with whatever you wanna start with, know what your getting into and you should be fine

[328iGuy]

I have a mix of peacocks, haps and Frontosa in my show tank....NO issues whatsoever......they are all thriving in there!  :lol:

[StylinT]

I was just askin the same questoin on a diffrent site an he said i could put 2 - 3 diffrent colonies in the tnak with the size i have plus have some mid level tangs in there aswell what species do ya think would be good for me to start with an cost is some what of a factor i want the tank to look colerful an alive but also want it to be exotic an unique lol

[StylinT]

This is a direct quote of what he thinks would be good for my tank
what are your opinions on it ? and are alot fo these fish found in lfs or from memebers ?

"oh you could do more than that.  If you wanted, you could do 2 or 3 different shell dwelling species, or throw in some mid water tang fishes as well.  Some to look out for are N. leleupi, and any of the Julidochromis species, with J. regani being my favorite".

[pegasus]

oh you could do more than that. If you wanted, you could do 2 or 3 different shell dwelling species, or throw in some mid water tang fishes as well. Some to look out for are N. leleupi, and any of the Julidochromis species, with J. regani being my favorite

Not bad, but I would only go with one shell dwelling specie and the same for the Julidochromis. The brichardi could also be mix with the leleupi. One tetracephalus and not more, (as a bigger fish and to keep the aggressivity down). Find some leptosoma and you got it made.