Ideal Size For A Cichlid Tank

[jkilby]

Ok ok I have the bug, my community tank is great, I love it to bits and it is now starting to get stocked up nicely, I am now already thinking of getting a second tank for cichlids. Is there a minimum size tank I should really be looking at for this, or can you even get too big for a home tank. My community tank is a 200 litre, I am looking at 5-6ft tanks now for this project, but at the moment I haven't got anything for it, as I am just planning at the moment. Is it better to go for lengh or depth of tank with cichlids?, are there any special considerations to be taken with this type of fish?

 

[Rutters19]

Do you mean Cichlids?

 

[doresy]

I guess you mean Cichlids

Well my friend it depends on the type of Cichlids.

Some South Americans for instance can be kept in a regular community tank whereas Africans such as Malawi's need a species 4 footer minimum as do many Tanganyikans. There are some Tanganyikans, nick-named 'Sellies' (Shell-dwellers)that can be kept in smaller tanks (3 footers)

Longer tanks are better than tall ones as territories will be fought over.