What should I stock next?!

[bingerz]

I'm interesting in some carnivorous africans - Malawi, Tang, or Vic., but I don't know my options. I've gotta 36 long. I want something that either A.) doesn't grow too big to out grow the tank or B.) grows really slow. it's definitely gotta be a beautiful fish. I'll be feeding it NLS...with the occassional live food. Any help/advice/questions to help me decide I'd appreciate! thanks in advance!

[Wingin' It]

Are you looking for something with more character than looks, or more looks than anything?

I'm biased towards tangs, specifically shell dwellers. They tend to stay small and are amusing! So my vote is for them! ;)

[Addicted2Trophs]

calvus or compressiceps are carnivorous and grow slow, max out at 6"

[bingerz]

@winginIT, that's a toughie, probably i'd say more character than looks. I think all of the great lake fish are nice, except the big fish lipped ones. they look real alien to me. But more specifically...I want it to be carnivorous with an appetite, that's hardy, bloat resistant (if that's even possible). i'm not gonna put it in some murky water and just neglect it. i want it to be able to hold it's own. maybe it's dark-emo-ish of me....but i'd like to see it hunt naturally. you know, like see it how it would act in the wild, but still have "personality" like the other africans i have. i don't want anything too crazy that i can't siphon and stick my hand into the water. nothing pirahna-ish psycho. I'm not looking for a community fish of like 10-15.

@mike, actually...when i first started thinking about this. your calvuses came to mind. i remember yours were white....and someone was looking for the black inkfin ones. I thought both were nice, kinda menacing looking, like they're just adapted to hunt. i like the way they're slow growing and there's a few variations, like you're white...the black, the goldface, yellow. how many can be housed in a group? i don't want too much of them. The fewest. i want them to be able to have ample room to swim around and really stretch out their fins. i just picked up a 36g long. so...i remembered your calvus, and i was just looking for other options, like haps....perhaps.

[GaryofMontreal]

It should be a micro-predator in a 36. It's not a lot of room if you want to see how it hunts, as its food is going to be right there. I'm thinking a Tanganyikan or nothing, but I'll leave suggestions as to which one to those who know them better. In a tank of that size, the smaller the fish, the more interesting the behavior will be in terms of actual seeking of food. It sounds like if you had softer water, you'd be into dwarf pikes (Crenicichla).

[Addicted2Trophs]

you can keep a pair or a trio bingerz they dont need to be kept in groups like mbuna or trophs. theyre known to be fry eaters and its pretty awesome watching them slowly stalk a small fish (saw one stalking a baby shellie a couple times)
they come in some pretty crazy colors too
a male can take 6 years to get 4 inches, theyre extremely slow to get to their full size which is why they can sometimes be pricey
heres one of my fav calvus's http://www.cichlid-forum.com/phpBB/images/avatars/2013851184dc7618c8a734.png

[bingerz]

yeah, the black inkfin calvus are nice. i remember seeing them at king ed's (LFS) for 30 ea. i don't wanna spend that much money. there's one guy on BCA that was selling some.

[vince0]

I would also recomend shellies. if theres one fish that has captivated fish keepers and non fish keepers alike at my place, it would have been my shellies. My girlfriend was heart broken when I got rid of mine, and has not stopped perstering me to get some more for my bedroom tank. I know whats good for me, therefore I have been on the lookout for something special for the last few months. My advise to you, get some Neolamprolgus Multifasciatus. Easy to get, they establish colonies rather than pairs, and they will keep you entertained for hours with their cool behaviours.

[Addicted2Trophs]

multis are definitely cool too, i love mine
gobies are another underrated species too

[vince0]

can gobies be kept in smallish tanks? 30g long is still on the small side for tanks...

[Addicted2Trophs]

yep, i sold hp101BII a pair of eretmodus gobies and theyre in a tank about that size with multis last i heard

i have 7 gobies in my 125 atm, theyre awesome it seems theyre as fascinated watching us as we are watching them.