What size tank do I need? I have a 40 gallon and a 25 gallon tall that I would like to use if possible. What cichlids can I put together in that size tank (if any). I would like some color like a jewel, cobalt blue or yellow lab, but I know nothing about the difference between African and American cichlids. I would like them not to get over 4 or 5 inches. Also, should they be all female or all male or does it matter because I will not have two of the same kind in the tank?

I have never kept cichlids, but I hope that by bumping you up to the top of the list, you will get some replies!

The only advice I can give you is make your tank full of hidey holes. Mine have their own "domains" in there.
I have cichlids but Im by no means an expert on which sexes to have. I can barely tell the kinds apart either!

I don't have cichlids but hear that you have to be careful of what types you put together. I know that the 40 gallon would be best, they need lots of room since they can be aggressive towards each other and need certain Ph levels. You need to use sand or crushed coral. Do alot of research before you decide for sure. You need alot of different rock formations forming hiding places for them.

I have a 30 gallon cichlid tank with only about 6 cichlids. Theyre the African variety. I have a lot of piled rocks with hidey holes and lots of plants too. Theyre very beautiful fish to have if you can find some kind of harmony in the tank so they dont kill eachother.

American Cichlids would be very hard to make a community setup, but you can have a pair of convicts or firemouths in the 25, and then you can have 8 smaller african cichlids in the 40. For the african cichlids, you are gonna have to make some sort of rock figure full of holes so that the cichlids can hide in it. Also you will have to buffer the Ph for the african cichlids. this can be done by by using special substrates or by using liquids.