Cichlids in a 33gallon

[AquaNut]

Hey all

Some of you may have heard me talk about shopping the classifieds for a much larger tank (hoping I'll find 100gal). Once I get this big new tank, I'm going to have a lot more options tank-wise, as many of my current fish will move into the new planted palace. I really want to start a tank that's not a fw/tropical/planted tank; it's time for cichlids. My 33 gallon tank needs a good stripping (time to finally get rid of the ugf it came with), so it seems like the most likely candidate for switching to cichlid friendly. I like the idea of a pair of convicts in there (live food source - I know, I know... I'm evil.. ); would a 33 gallon be big enough for a pair of cons? Are there any other cichlids that would be good for a cichlid newbie and could live in a 33 gallon?

Edit: I should say that I know I couldn't keep other cichlids in the 33 WITH the convicts; I meant to ask if there are any other cichlids that I could have instead of cons.

 

[AquaNut]

Nobody knows?? Does that mean that a 33 gallon tank is too small for cichlids? Surely there must be some that could live in there.

 

[Alien Anna]

When I was researching cichlids I was advised to look at Lake Tanganyika cichlids. I have found a useful Cichlid Recipe site, including the following Small tank recipes page.

Apparently, these recipes aren't so good because they don't look to the future, so you'll be over-stocked if you stick to them like glue, but if you stock according to the next size down you'd be fine.

 

[Flippin'thing bit me eye]

If you don't want Cons for aggro reasons maybe you could try a pair of Firemouths, remember its a good idea to buy 1 male and 2 or 3 f/males and find a home for the other guys when a pair form.
Other candidates for a 33G are:
Any of the Apistos, Rams, Kribensis, Keyholes, Mary's cichlid, blua acara maybe, You could even try rainbows in a 33G.
If you didnt mind where the cichlids are from then I would go for.
3-4 African blockheads,
5-6 Sierra Leone dwarf characin(ladigesia roloffi),
1 Syno Nigriventris (upside down catfish)

 

[juanveldez]

like FTBME said any of the apistos, my personal fav is the triple red cockatoo, you could house a small african tank in there with some shellies, wouldn't go with the blue acra as you would only be able to house one fish in a 33 gallon tank. but I also think that a pair of firemouths would be way cool too. I was looking into getting some but decided against it as I don't have another tank for them.( although who knows I may get another 75 someday and house some angels and a male firemouth.

 

[skiltrip]

firemouth's are very cool, very pretty, and get along with a lot of other fish.

 

[DizBjOhN104]

im not sure what kind of cichlids would go in that 33g,
but some people have convicts in 10gs, 20gs, 30gs, 40gs, etc...

so i think u could put a couple of convicts in ur 33g

 

[Morrgan]

I think a 33 gal for Convicts or Firemouths is a bit on the small side. Personally I'd go for Apistos, Rams or Kribs. If it's a source of live food you're looking for, then Kribs are easy to breed. Unfortunately many of them have a tendency to eat their young these days.

 

[delanie0317]

Convicts in a 33 gallon should be fine but it would have to be a species only tank. You could also keep german or bolivian rams in a 33 gallon. They stay pretty small, about 2-4 inches.