10 gal - ?Small Cichlids? + Jericho

[Big Vine]

My krib 'tales' are just about over as I continue to raise 5 of them until they are old enough to be parted with...
...and thus, a new beginning unfolds!

But with what?
I'm so happy with my new tank design that I want to continue on with cichlids, because I think the rockwork would be suitable for them. (Plus, you guys aren't getting rid of me from this forum that quickly......not even you, SinisterKisses )

Any suggestions?

And yes, those of you not familiar with him will notice my blue cray, 'Jericho,' peeking through from behind the rockery in the second pic. My feeling---based on what I've seen from the kribs---is that cichlids would be too fast for him to catch (BUT I would be willing to move him and keep only cichlids if it boiled down to a choice between the two).

Once I figure this out, I'll post updated pics of the krib fry! *DRUMMER*

BV

 

[IDunnoWhy]

That new setup looks fantastic I really like that rock work, looks great with that substrate, Jericho looks cool, all stalking behind the scenes

 

[big54bob]

it depends,
do you want to breed them?
do you want colorful fish that the wife will like?
PS im doing your dirty work hehehe

 

[Helena21]

Well if you want cichlids of some sort then some dwarf cichlids would look cool.
Rams (yes i know i suggest these to everyone, but there sooo pretty) or some apsito's?

 

[SinisterKisses]

Lol I don't want you out of the forum, silly...I'm always trying to ENCOURAGE people to expand into the cichlid world

I like the rocks too. So if I'm reading this right, the kribs are not in this tank? Or are they, and you're looking for tankmates for them until they're gone?

Anyway, 10gal cichlid options are a little limited. Obviously, you've tried the krib thing. As Helena suggested, you could try German rams or apistos. Or, if you want something really interesting, get a breeding pair of Convicts in there...they're amazing parents and have lots of personality. If you don't want to deal with the bazillion babies they'll produce, simply leave them in with the parents. That's what I did, and mom and dad always cleared them out (lol aka ate them) when it came time to lay the next batch of eggs. Or, if you want to branch into the African side of things, there are a couple smaller Lake Tangyanika cichlids that would do okay in a 10gal...such as the shellies and multis. Again, very interesting fish, but you'd have to tweek your decor a little. For one, the plant could stay but would be a little useless to them and unnatural (dunno if you're aiming for a natural setup or not?), and you'd have to put some shells in there for them to use. You could stick with the gravel if you really wanted to, but they prefer sand...but you can buy black sand, so it would essentially look the same.

Anyway, there's some ideas for you. You could try it with Jericho in there, but he may try to get the fish at night when they're sleeping, and in the case of the Convicts, they'll shred him as soon as he molts.

 

[big54bob]

i whould suggest a pair of apistogramma cockatoos or a pair of apistos or rams

 

[FreshwaterJeff]

I'm down with the apistos idea, but if you could ever find them, I think you should do these:

FishProfiles.com - Crenicara filamentosa

or these:

FishProfiles.com - Laetacara curviceps

...but not with Jericho

 

[rjmonter]

I would get two baby convicts with good color from different stores. They will be fun to watch.

 

[Orion]

Not sure that I would sugest Laetacara curviceps for a 10 gallon though. I've got 6 in a 65 and they like to have the run of the tank. Not very nippy, but they do seem to be pushy. Super fish for something larger though

For a 10 you are pretty limited by what you can have. Of course most of the shellies from Tanganyika are my first thought (and I've got plenty of shells if you need some). Multies, brevis, occies come to mind. I can't say that I would really trust the cray in with them though. The multies for example don't normaly like to venture far ( a few inches) from the shells, so I could see the cray trapping one and just waiting it out. I don't think this would be such an issue with the occies which are much more outgoing. At one time I had a colony of 15+ multies in a 10 gallon. Hate to say it though, but the best setup for them is mostly shells, and little rockwork in such a tank.

Some dwarves like apisto's might be ok. Something that keeps creaping up in these discussions is the checker board cichlid, Dicrosus filementosus (sp???). It's just a matter of finding them.

 

[Big Vine]

Thanks everyone for all the feedback.

Just to clarify...there are 5 krib fry that will be in this tank until they're large enough to be given away (another month or two). After that, the tank is essentially free.

And I know what you mean about the shellies, Orion. And thanks for the offer on the shells. I think I've actually got a bunch in a storage bin out on my balcony (brrrr! *SICK* ). lol

It's not that I'm against a more shelldweller-friendly setup...I think it'd look cool if I replaced the gravel with sand, removed the rockwork and fake plants, and then put in a bunch of shells in their place.

Trouble is, I just got the rockwork all set up, and I guess I'm just not willing to tear it down so soon. I'm really wanting something that can be in there with the tank "as is." My main focus right now is on getting the 38 gal. planted, etc.

Something that keeps creaping up in these discussions is the checker board cichlid, Dicrosus filementosus (sp???). It's just a matter of finding them.

Yes!!!
FreshwaterJeff posted the link for its profile (thanks Jeff!), and I think someone else may have mentioned it. It sounds like a perfect choice for my current setup. Description said they preferred more heavily-planted, but what the heck...I think the tank is okay as is.

Where do you find these things? Are they really that rare?

I'll check around the LFS's here, but I won't hold my breath or anything. Can they be ordered from somewhere?

BV

 

[Orion]

Once several years ago I saw some in a tank at a LFS in Tennessee. It wasnt the typical LFS though. Still kicking myself for not picking them up when I saw them. You can check your LFS and see what they can order, but Ive not seen them on my local LFS stock list, and Ive seen very few online places offer them.

I would love to get ahold of some, but Ive not been actively looking as of late. You may want to check with C-man and see if he has been able to nail down any sources for these, as I belive he too has been looking for them for a while. As for estores that have them I would be checking the stores that serve the hobbist more than the general public, as I have found that these normaly have the more hard to find species.

About the shellies: You dont have to have a shell only tank for some of these guys. But I would recomend sand over gravel. Some of the species like occies dont need a lot of shells per fish, and the rock work is appriciated to some extent. Just something else to think about. Happy Hunting!

 

[Big Vine]

Will do. Thanks, Orion.
I know for a fact that there's one place in town that has multis. They looked kinda cool---I remember being fascinated by them as I happened upon them while looking at some other fish.

I'll check that place first, then there's about 2 other LFS places I can try my luck at.

I'm not too optimistic about trying to order from these places either. I've tried in the past, and my request has always sort of been swept under the carpet. Sure, I could keep hounding them with reminders, etc., but I'd just as soon order them online than worry about what some LFS guy is (or isn't) doing for me.

BV

 

[Big Vine]

if you want something really interesting, get a breeding pair of Convicts in there...they're amazing parents and have lots of personality. If you don't want to deal with the bazillion babies they'll produce, simply leave them in with the parents. That's what I did, and mom and dad always cleared them out (lol aka ate them) when it came time to lay the next batch of eggs...
...You could try it with Jericho in there, but he may try to get the fish at night when they're sleeping, and in the case of the Convicts, they'll shred him as soon as he molts.

Convicts would work in the current setup quite well, I think (i.e. without having to tear down the rockwork, etc.), right?

I read the description on www.cichlid-forum.com, and it said:

Beware of conspecific aggression in this species. A spawning Convict pair is only really assured of long-term, adult sized compatibility with each other, when stocked in four foot long aquariums.

Is this referring specifically to introducing two adults into the same tank? If so, then I'm assuming it's okay to introduce a younger male and a younger female together into a 10 gal. tank at the same time?

Would the convicts eat full-grown platies? Juvenile platies?
(I'm not planning on having them cohabitate! The platies would be used as live feeders).

Hmm...this might work out along the same lines as your guppy feeder plans, SinisterKisses.

BV

 

[Cichlid-Man]

Would the convicts eat full-grown platies? Juvenile platies?
(I'm not planning on having them cohabitate! The platies would be used as live feeders).

I'm not sure that they will acctually EAT them so much as KILL them. They'd just want the intrusive fish dead. Juvis may be meals, but i just can't see the majority of platies being meals for cons. They'll just get killed.

 

[SinisterKisses]

Yeah, adult platies would just be killed off. You could throw some baby platies in there though and they'd likely get eaten.

In the setup you have, I'd just go to the store and pick up 2 small males and 2 small females, and then wait for them to pair off, return the other two, and wait for the fun to start

 

[Big Vine]

Good to know. I'll stick to fry/juvies and save the unwanted adult platies for the crays then.

In the setup you have, I'd just go to the store and pick up 2 small males and 2 small females, and then wait for them to pair off, return the other two, and wait for the fun to start

Would it be a mistake to just toss 2 random ones in there at the same time with the assumption that they'll automatically pair-up?

I've read that the females have more reddish/orangy bellies than the males. Any other distinguishing characteristics as far as sexing them goes?

BV

 

[SinisterKisses]

Putting just one male and one female together as juveniles and 'forcing' them to pair sometimes works, but sometimes leads to a male killing the female, too. You can try it, but you might have to remove her if the male doesn't agree with your choice of mates for him

Females don't have more of a pinkish belly...ONLY females have it. Convicts are just about the easiest cichlids to sex. Females have a pink/orange-ish belly, males absolutely do not. The females start showing pink quite early, at about the 1" often or not long after, so any fish that a LFS has should be easy to sex on the spot.

 

[Big Vine]

Awesome! Thanks, SK.
I'll pick up a pair shortly...if not today, then tomorrow. I'm sure they'll be readily available at the LFS's.

Like you said, I'll just keep an eye out for any bullying and separate them, if need be. Heck, maybe I'll get 4 of them if I see a bunch that look really good. Then I'll know that I'll really want to hang onto the 2 that pair-off...no matter which ones decide to do so...

BV

 

[SinisterKisses]

Lol sounds like a plan. Be sure to get some pictures of them when they're all settled in the tank

 

[Big Vine]

Okay, I figured it out---I'm going with a pair of Convicts, which I'll likely pick up tomorrow! Thanks for the help.

Once I figure this out, I'll post updated pics of the krib fry! *DRUMMER*

Here they are, as promised.
I've got more...even better than these ones...so stay tuned!

"Blending In"

"Follow the Leader"

"Peek-a-boo!"

BV