Looking for suggestions for 37 gal tank

[shadowmc]

I am beginning to plan my 37 gallon tank. I want to have African cichlids. My roomates in college kept cichlids, but I have no direct exprerience with them.

What mixture of cichlids would you recommend to a beginner? Which other varieties of tropical fish cohabitate with them?

I'd like to keep it simple.

I welcome any and all suggestions so that I'll have a happy tank.

Thanks

[tom]

Hi shadowmc

Assuming your tank is rectangluar and is at least 36" in length, I'd advise going with smaller, less aggressive Mbuna--e.g., L. caeruleus, P. saulosi. Consider a species tank (only fish of one species). Some folks add non-cichlid tropicals as target or dither fish, but these shouldn't be necessary in your setup.

Please continue to ask questions--we have plenty of folks here willing and able to help guide you.

[shadowmc]

The tank is rectangular, but with only a 30" base. Basically it is a standard 29 gallong tank except taller by 8 gallons. I purchased it because it best fit the space available in my apartment.

As far as the fish are concerned, they will have the same amount of substrate on the bottom as a 29 gallon tank would have, but would have an extra 8 gallons of water for swimming (and waste dilution).

Are there species that prefer a more vertical arrangement, like a tall rock structure?

Thanks

[SGypsyMermaid]

my pseudotropheus(gephyrochromis?) sp. acei "white tail" are very mild-mannered--they even school! i gave some to a friend who has one of those hexagonal tanks piled nearly to the top with rocks and they're doing great.