choosing the right aquarium size

[royalman]

I'm thinking of housing cichlids in a Juwel Trigon 190 - about 45 gallons. Would it be feasible or not?

[ridera]

It really depends on your vision for the tank. You could go for a variety of dwarf cichlids, but if you're thinking of more feisty species like Kribs or Steatocranus, you'll want to keep the stocking levels low. A decent-sized school of ditherfish would be a good idea.

Alternatively, you could try a small-scale Tanganyikan setup. For example, a trio of "Sumbu dwarf" or a pair of Julidochromis dickfeldi, or even a pair of Neolamprologus punctatus. Watch how the dynamics play out and see how the numbers grow.

[royalman]

I've had people tell me Tanganyikan cichlids can be a bit more high maintenance, compared to those from Malawi - does that hold any truth?

[bolt9x]

I've had the opposite experience. Tanganyikans are pretty hardy in my book.

[royalman]

Are Tanganyikan cichlids easily found in most pet stores, or would I have to search further afield?

[ridera]

You'll find some species in general pet stores, but for a wider selection, it's specialist shops like Mikes Rifts in the UK that really deliver, and they do postal orders too.

[slyzen]

I've had more luck finding them through breeders, but even then, they seem to be a bit more elusive than malawis.

[bolt9x]

I've got the luxury of having a top-notch LFS just a stone's throw away, their tanganyikan selection is impressive, considering they cater to a wide range of fish, not just specialists. The downside is, you do pay a premium for it. Malawis, being popular, often end up in private sales since they breed relatively easily in home aquaria. Tangs do breed too, just not as prolifically as their African counterparts.