Dwarf Cichlids in 5g

[James From Cali]

Im looking into setting up a SA Dwarf Cichlid Biotope 5g tank. Now this is going to be for my mom. I am going to get all the supplies needed and cycle the tank using money from my new job. But I come across a dilema. What to get? Every site I came across said 10g's minimum but as of now I have no extra space for another 10g. I was hoping to try a pair of German Blue Rams or some sort of Rams as they are SA. Any one that has experience with keeping them in this size tank let me know what you think about keeping them in this size tank.

 

[Katie217]

Nah, I wouldnt do a pair in a 5gal. If there was any fights there wouldnt be enough room for one to escape. You could do ONE ram and that would be the only fish that I would personally put in the tank. But still...I honestly wouldnt even do that...

 

[Pure]

The only SA cichlid I would put in a 5 would be checker board cichlids. The only problem is that they tend to be a lil more temperamental about water quality than rams. In a 5 things can go down hill fast. They also really need to be kept in soft acidic water, slow acclimation to harder tap water can be achieved but doing so can take months.

 

[Dino]

James, check out apistogrammas.
You should be able to do a pair, if you are on top of the water quality.
Also, I run across them fairly frequently, as a lot of folks in Atlanta have softer water.

Dino

 

[James From Cali]

Nah, I wouldnt do a pair in a 5gal. If there was any fights there wouldnt be enough room for one to escape. You could do ONE ram and that would be the only fish that I would personally put in the tank. But still...I honestly wouldnt even do that...

Oh okay. My mom had fallen for Rams. Im wondering if she would like something else.

The only SA cichlid I would put in a 5 would be checker board cichlids. The only problem is that they tend to be a lil more temperamental about water quality than rams. In a 5 things can go down hill fast. They also really need to be kept in soft acidic water, slow acclimation to harder tap water can be achieved but doing so can take months.

Checkerboard Rams may be promising. I will be setting the tank up and using natural Items to lower pH and hardness. I will add these to the list.

James, check out apistogrammas.
You should be able to do a pair, if you are on top of the water quality.
Also, I run across them fairly frequently, as a lot of folks in Atlanta have softer water.

Dino

I will check out what apistogramma would be nice. But if all comes to fail then it looks like Guppies lol.

 

[Cichlid-Man]

Checkerboard Rams may be promising. I will be setting the tank up and using natural Items to lower pH and hardness. I will add these to the list.

Checkerboards are not rams. Dicrossus filamentosus.

Personally i'd be tempted to try a pair of Rams, Apistos, or checkerboards in there. Just stay on top of water quality like dino said, thats the most important thing especially in a small tank.

 

[Pure]

Aren't checker boards closer related to apistos?

 

[James From Cali]

Checkerboards are not rams. Dicrossus filamentosus.

Personally i'd be tempted to try a pair of Rams, Apistos, or checkerboards in there. Just stay on top of water quality like dino said, thats the most important thing especially in a small tank.

It was a typo. hehe

I want to at least attempt them but dont want to waste money since my LFS dont have returns on any livestock. I will have to see what happens when setting up the tank.

 

[ram man]

You could always switch over the betta and asian themed stuff to the 5 gallon and the rams can go in the 10 gallon the betta is in.

 

[James From Cali]

You could always switch over the betta and asian themed stuff to the 5 gallon and the rams can go in the 10 gallon the betta is in.

I would but the diftwood I am getting is 7-10" and that will take up the whole tank. I may be able to work a 10g but I need to see. For right now my mom is comfortable with a 5g tank.

 

[ram man]

But the fish would not be at their most comfortable in a 5 gallon....

 

[James From Cali]

But the fish would not be at their most comfortable in a 5 gallon....

Like I said I will try to persuade my mom into letting me get another 10 if we have room but if not then I guess I will have to settle for some Guppies.

 

[big54bob]

Aren't guppies from CA?

 

[James From Cali]

Hmm...probably. I need to think more on what I want to get.

 

[big54bob]

Why not get a ten gallon hex if you could?
Stocking I would a lone male GBR or Blolivan along with a school of tetras.

 

[James From Cali]

Im not fond of hex's as it cuts down on surface area. Also lighting is cut. I still need to talk to my mom on doing a 10g as it is completely on her at this point.

 

[ram man]

I thought this tank was for your mom, not what "you want to get"

 

[James From Cali]

I thought this tank was for your mom, not what "you want to get"

My mom is making me make the descisions as she has no idea what to do and where to start. So I am printing out pictures of plants, fish, substrates, hardscape that I think she may like and she can help me choose from there.

 

[Pure]

Aren't guppies from CA?

Huh!? Try SA/CA and even some parts of Florida.

 

[ram man]

Hmm, have you shown her A. agassizzi yet? one of my favorites, and stays around 2 inches and is colorful. hardy IME also.