New 29g tank, Barbs or cichlids?

[Frozenspokes]

I have looked at the shell dwellers, and discussed with my LFS and I don't think that I want to tear this tank down and start over with sand substrate. That makes the shell dwellers less attractive.

What about yellow labs as a species tank?

[FishGeek]

You would be really limited in the # of fish you could get with only having a 29G tank and stocking it with Labs. Maybe something smaller like Hai Reefs.....I have them and they are GREAT!

[Frozenspokes]

Originally Posted by FishGeek

You would be really limited in the # of fish you could get with only having a 29G tank and stocking it with Labs. Maybe something smaller like Hai Reefs.....I have them and they are GREAT!

Please help me out. I googled Hai Reefs and the only fish that came up were the German Red Peacock (Aulonocara stuartgranti "German Red") and Red Shoulder Peacock (Aulonocara hansbaenschi "Red Shoulder"). Both of these fish are far too large for a 29 gal aquarium. The Yellow Labs are smaller and have a more docile reputation.

The fish in this threadhttp://http://www.myfishtank.net/for...oad-again.html are exactly what I was considering. Maybe 1 male with a small harem of 4 or 5 females. I would have to add more rock work to the tank, but that is a small price to pay.

If I can't find cichlids for this tank, then it's going to be a school of Tigers and a school of Rosey Barbs. I will probably put my Harliquin Rasboras in with them after the tank gets settled if I go that way also.

[FishGeek]

Cynotilapia afra (Chewere)
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profile...es.php?id=1675

The thing with Labs in a 29G tank is that the Labs get about 4-5 inches each. Its just too small, cichlids like to have horizontal swim room and there isnt enough with a larger fish in there.

Have you looked at brichardi http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profile...es.php?id=1601
You might be able to get away with those in there.

[Frozenspokes]

Originally Posted by FishGeek

Cynotilapia afra (Chewere)
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profile...es.php?id=1675

The thing with Labs in a 29G tank is that the Labs get about 4-5 inches each. Its just too small, cichlids like to have horizontal swim room and there isnt enough with a larger fish in there.

Have you looked at brichardi http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profile...es.php?id=1601
You might be able to get away with those in there.

I am finding that out with more and more research. I looked up hte Cynotilapia Afra and found that they are VERY aggressive. If I were to go with them, I most likely would only be able to have two of them in the tank. That and they are excavators that pretty much hang out near their cave most of the time. A beautiful fish, but not exactly what I was looking for.

The Brichardi looks to be the most promising cichlid I have looked at so far. And they are beautiful fish also.


If I were to get these guys, do you think that six would be too much for the tank? Also, would I want to go with the typical cychlid rock work, or could I go with a more 'traditional' set up?

As for possible barbs, I find that I really like the green tigers and golden barbs. I am beginning to think that a tank populated by green tigers, golden, and rosey barbs may be the way to go. I would have to watch my stocking levels closely (most likely no more than 12 fish and that's still pushing it by my standards).

Plenty of time though, the tank is still cycling.