Curiosity

[pmoyniha]

So I have a 20 gal. tank set up with some tetras and the like, but I have another 20gal at home sitting empty. I was thinking about setting it up, but I wondered if it could house cichlids?

I don't want to be just within the possibility of housing them, as I think thats not fair. What is the smallest tank you can house cichlids comfortably in?

I recognize that they come in many shapes sizes and temperments (much like people....) but on average what would you the "experts" suggest?

My water out of the tap is about pH 7.8 but I like to keep plants and so i would prolly have CO2 as well and so the pH would be about 7.2-7.4. I have read that these guys like to ove plants, but its something id like to experiment with.

Thanks
Pat

 

[ultimate bob farley]

cichlids that come to mind are any of the apistogrammas, shell dwellers, any of the dwarf cichlids. i have always wanted to set up a small tank with a single neetroplus nematopus.

 

[joshua]

most dwarfs except kribs prefer soft n acidic water which can be achieved by peat moss or blackwater which is quite easily obtained and they have fantastic colouring. you can check out rams and apistos which are dwarfs.

shellies would also be comfortable in your tank and they prefer hard n alkaline water which can be achieved using Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda) but you gotta make sure it is pure Sodium Bicarbonate.

and yes dwarfs and plants go very well together

 

[pmoyniha]

Excellent, I guess I will start doing some reading about those fellas and see what I like.
Thanks!
Pat

 

[pmoyniha]

Alright, from what I understand these are African Cichlids, but what do you think aobut Julidochromis ornatus?

 

[smb]

Alright, from what I understand these are African Cichlids, but what do you think aobut Julidochromis ornatus?

You could put a breeding pair of J. ornatus in a 10g.

Some of the other Julidochromis species like reganii and marlieri should have a 29g, imo.

 

[thecichlidaddict]

You could go with Julidochromis in a 10 gallon, but I don't think it certainly wouldn't be my first choice. It makes for a pretty unexciting tank, and those two would be the only ones in there, except for when the female decides to kill the male, then you'll need a new one


For Africans I personally I recommend a small colony of Shelldweller. One that is very small in size but quite large in personality is Neolamprologus Multifasciatus or Similis. You can get five or six specimens in there. Add some sand and as many shells as you can find and you are set.

 

[pmoyniha]

It's not a 10G it's a 20G, but thanks though. So what could I put in to amke for a more exciting tank? I just saw a pic of those ones I mentioned and thought they looked kinda cool. (I understand that is the worst way to pick fish, which is why I don't have them )

 

[juanveldez]

did you look at any of the apistogramma sp? they are very colorful and a trio would do well in a 20g tank with sand and some plants

 

[pmoyniha]

I took a look at some pictures. Nice fish. I am pretty certain I will have to settle on whatever my lfs offers. It is a crappy crappy little store and I have no car. Good ole bus pass.

With the Apistogramma sp. what male:female ratio do you use for a trio? I am guessing 2m:1f but I have no idea.. maybe 1.5:1.5

 

[joshua]

its always 1m : 2f or 1m : 3f as apistos are harem breeders

 

[joshua]

haah juz got a 10 gal!!! used to have a crappy 2.5 gal whihc i nv failed to overstock. had 10 neons and a panda cory and they managed to survive for a month in there (dun ask me how, im clueless) so right now i think i gonna get some dwarfs too.. the guy who i bought the tank from has 8 rams whihc he got cheap and doesnt really want anymore cuz he's more into africans now

 

[juanveldez]

pmoyniha have you ever thought of maybe orderin the fish online, I am going to have to do it to restock my 75 gallon tank

 

[pmoyniha]

How do they ship fish??? Isn't that super stressful for them?

 

[FishHeads]

I recomend dwarf cichlids or maybe even Green Terrors...They rule. I want to get one when my fiance decides I can get my 7th tank. lol I drive that man nuts!...Betas...Tropicals....Ciclids....Goldfishies....Cats....