Decsions - Decsions

Question
I have just set up a 125 gal tank w/ 2 Reno XP3's. I was an addicted hobbiest before I joined the military and started moving alot. I have raised and breed mollies and some other live bearers. I also had a south american community tank. My wife likes alot of colors and I like to pair fish and let nature take its coarse. I am really leaning toward African chichlids. The tank has been set up for 3 days and I have about 10 small but hardy fish in it in hopes of getting through the break in period. Any ideas as to what type fish might meet both our likes and not completely drain the wallet? I keep talking myself out of mixing african and south american chichlids because I have always been told that africans are to aggressive and will kill the south americans. What, if any, other reasons should I not mix them? Is there a way to sex the more popular breeds of chiclids? I had a pair of Firemouths and Jack Dempsies but I bought them as breeding pairs from a dealer. I have 4 -6 weeks to really decide as I waiting for the break-in process to pass, but I am tring to educate myself so I can make a good decsion when the time comes. I feel pretty strongly that I would like to stay in the chiclid family but I am open to any suggestion other the live bearers, in the end I just would like colorful and paired up fish and if they eventually breed the better. Thanks in advance for your help.

Answer
Hi DeWight;

Thank you for your service. Our freedom depends on the sacrifices you and your family have made.

Africans and S. American cichlids have different water chemistry requirements. Africans usually are much prettier so your wife might like them better too. As far a sexing cichlids, there are different methods, not all of which are reliable. Some cichlids have to simply pair up on their own. Here are some sites that may help you more;

http://cichlidae.com/
http://cichlidresearch.com/sexingcichlids.html
http://www.cichlidrecipe.com/


If you decide to have something other than cichlids, there are very pretty ones like rainbowfish, dwarf gouramis, cherry barbs, all different kinds of tetras, several varieties of danios, cory cats, etc.

Followups Welcome

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins

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