Easy Cichlids

Do you think shellies are the best thing as a beginner species? Also: Last time I checked these were quite expensive, not ideal for someone wanting to gain experience....

Awesome fish none the less!!

 

Brichardi are good to start with but very aggressive fish not to be kept with other cichlids as they form a school. Nice to see them interact with one another. Requires lots of rockwork and caves. Suitable for a 1.5m tank but they breed like rats. This was my starter of Tanganyikan species had about 1000 plus in my 2m tank.

 

Why not shellies for beginners?

They may cost a bit more than Kribs but they probably have a longer lifespan and don't die as easily (shellies are tough little bastards).
Given proper water parameters and enough suitable shells I don't think one could really ask for a better starter fish, there is nothing unforgiving about them, bar their attitude toward shell bed invaders.

I'd go so far as to say, if you can keep a Neon Tetra or a Zebra danio alive you can breed Multifasciatus.

@keith1964 - Brichardi will quickly get too big and create too many offspring for a 60cm tank (Javei mentioned on page 2, using a 2 foot tank).

 

i keep neon tetras alive!!!! i have 10 in my 4foot tank

 

Some help: Cichlids for the Community Aquarium

 

Hello

so ive been reading and i must admit Kribs are amazing little fish and pretty easily found in comparison to the other fish mentioned.... i have a guy on this side of the world who has a few in his store and they sell quick but he always seems to have... if you keen PM me and ill give you the info... but talking from personal experience Rams are a little tricky i had a few, and i love them but they started to die very quickly after my tank leaked and was sorted, i put them back and Bam within 2 weeks all my Rams where dead but my Kribs alive and well so if i was you with that size tank i would Prob push my luck and put 2 pairs with tons of little caves and just enjoy them

good luck

 

1 pair would do nicely in a 60cm tank. I had 2 pairs in a 3 foot tank with caves, rocks, wood, plants and lost a female and nearly lost a male due to aggression.

 

Eish Sorry to hear that

Jenn ​

 

I've also kepts rams before. And sad to say... but mine also didn't last long in my tanks either. The longest I think I kept a ram was about a month max. And the shortest time was a couple of days. Whether they were weak from the shop, I don't know... But so far it's the only fish out of all the different fish I've kept that I can't keep alive... :frown:

 

@Quue i want kribs but you are to far for me to drive, im only a student on small budget

 

Javei maybe one of the guys on the site are around your area and could maybe pick some up for you, the best thing about this site is that everyone is here to help and you never know if people are doing business that side and could help you out

i wish you luck man, only wish i could help
​

 

phone around i am sure there must be a pet shop in gauteng that has, i know birds for africa in kempton had but theres r finished now!

 

phoned 6 petshops and none of them have:cry:

 

some thing will come alone u see !!!!

good luck!!!!

 

Thats why im looking at tiger barbs now

 

Hahaha I like Quue's suttle way of dropping hints... Im also getting into a new cichlid setup but I am definitely going tanganyikan! :laugh:

 

hahahaZuraki

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:aetsch:

 

Bit off-topic but can you list the 6 petshops you phoned,i only know 5 petshops that keep aquarium fish in pretoria.

PetCity
DorryPets
PetStop
Airport Pets
PetPond

those are the only ones i know.

 

pet city gezina
wonderboom aquarium

 

i phoned

petcity zambesi
petcity gezina
petstop
petpond
wonderboom aquarium
and a place 2km from me, can't remember the name