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Hi everyone! I just started a new cichlid tank. It is a 55 gallon tank and I was just wondering how many I could fit in a 55 gallon? I have African Cichlids along with an Oscar and a Texas Cichlid. I dont want to overcrowd the tank. Also I noticed a couple days ago the water looked like it had smoke rolling around in it. Is that what it does when it cycles and is it done cycling since the water is crystal clear now? It has only been 2 weeks and the fish are doing great. I was alittle worried when I saw the haze in the tank. Is it ok to do a water change now? Thanks for your advice.

Dawn

Welcome to the forum

I have African Cichlids along with an Oscar and a Texas Cichlid. I dont want to overcrowd the tank

Honestly with  your current fish you'll be overstocked soon.

With the big cichlids like oscars and Texas cichlids with some experience and extra maintenance you can keep a pair in a 55. (although a majority of people even disagree with that)

Mixed species tanks are harder especially if the fish have tottally different needs  like your tank currently has a central american , a south american and africans - all have slightly different diet requierments and  different general liveing conditions. Yeah sure they can be mixed "sucsessfully"  for a time but it doesn't always work and almost never does long term in a tank that size.

Is it ok to do a water change now?

Have you tested the water  yet? Thats the best way to tell if your tank has cycled if your new to the hobby.

I never liked certain 55gallon tanks even for a pair of oscars alone, ie the narrow long ones which make turning around in the tank awkward for the oscars once they've grown a bit. I'd say you can make a 55gallon tank a very nice african tank, I would keep out cichlids the size of oscars etc...