Tank Setup

Question
QUESTION:  I am about to start an african cichlid tank. The size is 30 gallons which i know is kinda small. Im trying to get 3 species of cichlids in it. I also want to try to get one or two bottom dwellers as well. Right now im leaning towards getting an acei and an electric yellow cichlid. I'm also think of getting maybe one of the smaller peacock cichlid species or kribes. I really don't know what bottom dwellers would work with them besides maybe a pleco. Can you please tell me what you think about the fish compatibility of those and any suggestions for other cichlids i will gladly appreciate. Like i said before i would like to have 3 cichlid species in it and one or two bottom dwellers. If possible i would like to keep more fish but i'm not sure how that would work. Thank you for taking time to help me with my new tank.

ANSWER: Hi Nick,
  If you go with acei and electric yellows, both of them are from Lake Malawi, i.e., east Africa.  A peacock would be appropriate with them.   Kribs comes from West Africa and really need a rather different sort of environment (soft, acidic water versus hard, alkaline water for east Africans).  With the peacock, go with 1 male and 3 or 4 females.

  As for bottom dwellers, your best bet would be Synodontis catfish.

  With any cichlid tank, it is important to have lots of structure (rock would be most appropriate) to break up the space and provide lots of hiding places for your fishes.

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
  Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION:  Thank you very much for helping me. I have diecided that i will most likly go with the peacock, acei, and electric yellow cichlids. For the bottom dwelling fish i am considering the synodontis species but i was wondering if a clown loach or any other botia loaches would work with this tank. Also i was thinking of maybe keeping a plant or two with this tank. Do you know of any that can grow in the required water conditions? Thanks again

Answer
Hi Nick,

  Loaches are from Southeast Asia and generally prefer soft, acidic water so I wouldn't put them in a tank with East African cichlids.  

  You can try some plants but I suspect that your cichlids will treat them like salad and they will be gone in a short while.  For this reason, I use mostly plastic plants (they even eat those!).

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
  Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>