new to cichlids, where do i start

[gregarious]

I'm getting back into the hobby after keeping some Oscars and Firemouths as a kid. I've recently set up a 75-gallon tank with some danios, tetras, and plants to get things going.

I've got a couple of questions about getting started with cichlids, specifically in a geneflake setup.
1. How long should I wait before introducing cichlids to my new tank?
2. Does anyone know of a good book on cichlids in geneflake - I'd love to learn more about them.

[flinta]

I'm assuming you're looking to keep American cichlids, given the mention of Oscars and Firemouths from your past experience.

[gregarious]

Actually I'm leaning more towards african cichlids, Malawi's in particular have really caught my eye.

[flinta]

If you're going for Malawis, I'd say start fresh with just those. That way you can tailor the setup to their needs, rather than trying to adapt to existing conditions.

[gregarious]

Yeah, I get it, starting from scratch. I'm just trying to do my due diligence so I'm better equipped to care for them - and they for me, I suppose. Any good resources on Malawis would be a big help.

[creek7]

Check out the pinned articles on mbuna here, it's a good starting point. http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/314 ... out-mbuna/ If you haven't read them yet, they're worth a look.

[gregarious]

Thanks for the resource, creek7. I appreciate the help.

[flinta]

Another good resource is cichlidforum.com, has a wealth of info on cichlids.