CichlidFish.com - Fish That Think.

Hello,
After a few years away from the hobbie, I've got a new tank.  I have had some starter fish in it (which I'm giving a way to a family member), it's cycled, ph & water conditions are looking good. Short of buying some rock for a more cichlid-friendly environment, I think I'm ready to stock.

My tank is 46 gal. I was planning on adding 2-3 Demasoni Cichlids, 2-3 Yellow Labs and a Tanganyikan Eel.

I'm interested in your feedback on a few things:

Is that too much for the tank size?

Would it be best to stock all at once, before anyone has a chance to get settled/territorial?...(remember the tank is already established)

Also I was considering keeping one of my "starter fish" - a pleco - I like him, but I can part with him.  Especially since he has this bad habit of leaving pleco turds all over my tank!  Is the pleco oK?  Any ideas on different janitor fish that might work better (maybe one that doesn't crap so much)?

Thanks, I look forward to your feedback.

I'm not really up on Africans, and don't know the demasonis, but it sound like a lot of fish to me.  Also don't know the eel, but I believe the labs and the pleco would pretty much max out a 46.

Hello,  I have a 55 gallon and have 6 Africans + a pleco.

My pleco keeps my tank really clean, and with my bi-weekly water changes using a python  to cleaning the bottom, I never have a problem with pleco waste.

I would be careful about adding all the fish at once, maybe two at a time,  When adding them change the rocks around so you wont have a territorial problem. 

I personaly wouldnt have an eel in my cichlid tank.

Good luck!

The eel will eat anything sm. enough to fit in his mouth. Demmasoni might be a little to agressive for the labs, they tend to nip fins.

I agree, the Demasoni will be to aggressive for the labs. In my opinion Demasoni are some of the nastiest little fish out there...for Mbuna that is.

IMO, scratch the Demasoni of the list.