what cichlid to breed

[plec]

hi i am new to cichlids. i have and do breed all sorts of catfish but want to breed some cichlids. what would be good to start with. i was thinking a colony of something rather then a pair a i want to watch the fish swimming around heaps hence why i want cichlids.

here is what i was thinking electric yellows, blues, lithobates, are these a good start.

i have a 4 foot tank with some 3 cm plus albino bristlenose will these get eaten or will they be alright. any help would be great thanks.

[TaShiE]

We have pepermints Bn in with our cichlids there only 3cm ones... they all seem to be doing good

Tash

[neilm]

Mate,

Check out the live trader posts.  There is a very nice colony of electric blues which I have actually seen in the flesh, and if you're looking for a nice looking colony that will also give you the joys of breeding then you probably couldn't go past it.  No dramas at all as well with compatability with bn's.

Welcome to cichlids  :D .

Cheers

[plec]

hi yeah thanks that is waht i was looking at getting. that is good that they wont eat my fry so they can continue to eat the algae off the tank to make it clean. can you mix yellows and blues and lithobates or will they all breed together and create a mutant fish. i would like to breed them all in the same tank if that is possible. thanks.

[neilm]

Mate,

I know for a fact that the blues for sale are currently kept in a 4 footer with yellows and another species and I don't think there have been any agression problems - all three species in his tank are breeding.  I'll stop being a spokesman for the guy selling the blues - why don't you send muttley a pm and he can give you the low down on the blues.  Just trying to help.  :)

I think most users of this forum would agree that there is little to zero chance of blues and yellows cross-breeding, and for a display/breeding set-up, you're going to have a nice contrast in colours.

Cheers

[plec]

great i will send him apm now thanks.
any other fish to put with them for a breeding display setup. thanks.

[neilm]

I won't bother answering your last question cause I reckon you'll be inundated with suggestions... :)

You mentioned that you had albino bn's in the tank.  Wouldn't have a spare breeding female would you?  :wink:

[plec]

yeah i was hoping to get a variety of replies. :lol:
as for the albino i only have a pair left and my wife wont let me sell them. :oops:  
sorry.

[here fishie fishie]

I wouldn't mix lithobates & electric blues. Yellows with blues should be fine.
My only concern is that a decent sized electric blue will have a go at 3cm bristlenoses.

Frenchy :D

[Muttley]

Yellows and blues are ideal tank-mates.  Have never had a drama between these two groups in my tanks.  I also have two bristlenose that have lived in the tank for about 6 months and they are only about 4cm :D

[GTR73]

If you're thinking of electric yellows read this great article about them:

http://www.sydneycichlid.com/content/?page_id=132

[RJ_Archer]

blue dolphins would go great in with those to. i had a heap of speices breeding in the same tank
Electric Blues
Electric Yellows
Blues dolphins
Saulosi
Red empress
and even the bloody brislenose were breeding but no bubs ever made it :cry: .
And i had them all breeding in a 4x15x18 and it was stocked but doin 40% twice a week water change