New Cichlid tank?

HI Guys

I got a 700L tank thats being built for b\me and i dont know what to stock it with, and im intrested in Cichlids.
Whats the differance between the species you get and any other additional info would be apretiated.
I have never kept these kinds of fish and dont know where to start...

Thanks

 

well you can go african which is your malawis or frontosas,nevr kept them but with jhb"s water half your battle is won or you can go south american which generally require some ph manipulation depending which species you want then there's the central american cichlids which i think the majority are very aggressive.plants generally dont go well with cichlids but this also depends on which species so keep that in mind.

 

We got a cryb at work along with some tetras and Ambulias that he leaves alone, but our valis didnt last the weekend with him...

 

kribensis?

 

Yeah one male Kribensis

 

so are you interested in kribs,what are the tank dimensions.i suppose kribs can be considered a relatively beginner cichlid,they get aggressive when spawning as with the majority of cichlids.

 

no i dont really like the kribs, would like more colorfull fish.... and its a 700l tank, 1.2x70x70.

I just dont know where to start with the tank, how it should be setup, tankmates, what species and all of the basics

 

You could look at GBR's. Lovely colour and if you can breed them there is always a demand. As said by @oscar freak they will become highly territorial/aggresive when breeding.

 

GBR's are very pretty but apparently they are hard to keep. They like plants as well. Africans are easy. Jhb water is good hardness for them while GBR's need softer water. Mbunas and other mixed malawis like peacocks etc. would look nice in a rock set up.

 

blue rams are a bit demanding i wouldnt recomend them for a first timer,maybe bolivians?

 

I've heard the bolivians are easier. But not nearly as beautiful as the GBR's.

 

all these names, im allready lolst lol, post me some picks?

 

Rams (picture coutesy of the internet)

 

Thats a horrible pic of the bolivian lol it doesnt do them justice

 

the thing is do you want colourful fish or colourful fish and plants?

 

Bolivians are much easier. GBR's are demanding.

 

Oh now i know rams, lfs puts them up as "Rainbow fish" lol, yeah i want to do fish and plants

 

Nicely done @oscar freak. I've seen that pic on the net but assumed it was incorrectly labeled as it looks a lot like a GBR. Very nice

 

its been airbrushed a bit i dont think the fins would ever be that colour but thats a more realistic likeness