i just bought a 55 gallon tank and it has been cycling. I am thinking about gouramis, or angels, but I really want a cichlid, but they seem way too aggressive for what i want in a trop. tank. Does any one have any suggestions on fish that look similar but tend to be more 'friendly' towards tank mates.

I'm a fan of Peacock cichlids. They are from Lake Malawi in Africa with the Genis name Aulonocara. They are somewhat like gouramis being that they have a regular fish shape and get about 5 to 6 inches. They are peaceful but only the males get the beautiful coloration. My favorites are Aulonocara baenschi, Aulonocara stuartgranti "Maleri", and the stuartgrani German Red Peacock.

Sorry to tell you, but most cichlids are going to be aggressive, but there are a few species that should be a little less. I don't know very much about cichlids, but blue rams are supposed to be a little more peaceful. It really depends on the fish tho..some rams get along great and others are down right mean. Rams are also VERY sensitive the quality of water. This is all I know, so hopefully some one more knowlageable will chime in. Just remember not to overstock and have lots of hiding places....this will help aggression.

I currently have two blue rams cichlids, and they have seemed to be very peaceful. I havent had a problem with them. The only time I have noticed nipping, is within the species, not any other fish in the tank. They are beautiful fish. It really does depend on the fish tho, but blue rams are known for being more peaceful then other cichlids

If a got a couple of the blue rams does it matter if they are male/female or should i get all female? i guess i should ask how to tell them apart??

I'm not sure how to tell the sex, but it is almost always best to get male/female, then female/female. Male/male usually has the highest chance of conflict. Too much testosterone for the both of them

aggressive to other fish, great parents.

Females will have the blue spots in the black part on their body and the males won't.

How do you pronounce cichlids? Can someone please spell it phonetically for me?

cichlids is pronounced "sick-lids" I remember I was into them a while before I actually got any fish and some how I came across how to pronounce it online. I always thought it was chick-lids before

Sorry it took so long i could not decide what i wanted, but FINALLY i just went to the pet shop and looked around. I got a couple gold gouramis, for now, maybe after the tank has settled with the new fish i can find some sort of large tetra that would be quick enough to get away from them, when the gouramis got larger