new to cichlids

[em389]

Hello Thank you in advance for your help.  I have a 45 gal corner pentagon tank.  I know this is not the best set up but it is what I have.  I have cycled the tank and am adding live plants.  I have a gravel bottom with stacked slate.  I am looking for some help with fish.  I would like more smaller fish than bigger fish.  I have been cycling with pure ammonia to 3.5-4.0 ppm every third day.  AM and nitrites are back to 0ppm within 18 hrs. Also I would like to stay with African's.
Thank You again
Eric

[Super Turtleman]

What are the dimensions of the tank? Off the top of my head a group of Saulosi would probably work in that tank.

[em389]

I just checked and it is 23" tall. The 2 back sides are 22" and the 3 front panes are 11" each.  As for the fish at this time I am open to anything. Not into breeding so that is not an issue. Like I said I would like more smaller fish. I like the action with the numbers. Thank You all

[djlamonica]

Yeah dimensions would help, Basically what your looking for is smaller Mbuna or maybe some shell dwellers.  Brevis are a good start for shell dwellers as they are readily available.  For Mbuna you have a ton of options pending dimensions.  Some you may have to rehome when they reach there full size but it takes awhile. A good start Labidochromis caeruleus (electric yellows), maybe some afras, demasoni is a good choice as well.  Maybe some type of zebras although they can get angry and cross breed as well.

Some you may want to stay away from at first that most LFS have are kenyi (blue females yellow males but man are they nasty.), Johanni or whatever they have labeled electric blues, and any thing out of a mixed tank labeled mbuna.  The kenyi and EB are just really aggressive and would make it tough to add the more mild species above.  The mixed Mbuna tanks are usually mostly hybrids.

Just some ideas that you will most likely find around you and even at the local chain stores although I would stay away from them if you could.

[linuxrulesusa]

Yeah dimensions would help, Basically what your looking for is smaller Mbuna or maybe some shell dwellers.  Brevis are a good start for shell dwellers as they are readily available.  For Mbuna you have a ton of options pending dimensions.  Some you may have to rehome when they reach there full size but it takes awhile. A good start Labidochromis caeruleus (electric yellows), maybe some afras, demasoni is a good choice as well.  Maybe some type of zebras although they can get angry and cross breed as well.

Some you may want to stay away from at first that most LFS have are kenyi (blue females yellow males but man are they nasty.), Johanni or whatever they have labeled electric blues, and any thing out of a mixed tank labeled mbuna.  The kenyi and EB are just really aggressive and would make it tough to add the more mild species above.  The mixed Mbuna tanks are usually mostly hybrids.

Just some ideas that you will most likely find around you and even at the local chain stores although I would stay away from them if you could.

Along those lines I will probably have some adult brevis soon.

However, brevis are not very active.  I have one pair in a 3.5 gallon 9x9 tank and they seem perfectly happy.

A pair of brichardi would repopulate that size tank quite fast.  They have interesting colony behavior.  But they will stay mostly on the bottom half of the tank.  So for more activity maybe a small group of mbuna e.g. 1 male 3 female electric yellows would be nice as both genders are colorful.  Or another species like saulosi where you get two colors (blue and yellow).

[Super Turtleman]

With those dimensions and what you seem to be looking for Saulosi seem like a great option for you. Blue males and yellow females. You could do a nice sized group with 1 male and 7 or so females. Here's a video of mine. I have White Labs and Multipunctatus catfish as well but you'll get a look at their colors and activity level.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cy0xPikFpeU

[em389]

Thank you all I will be making a choice soon hope to have the first batch in this weekend.

[jcunningham0295]

Multis for shell dweller would work as well.  They are very active and redecorate your tank all the time.