great cichlid ideas for a 10 gal?
- Thread starter lostnconfused
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The misc or asst africans should not be in anything smaller then 20. They are mbunas they get big 6inches and mean. Id stay away from them.
Smalltank3: not sure what species of africans you are talking about there are several type that work well in a ten gallon. But like any fish bigger is almost always better
Id go for some small shellies or julies or bachardis or something small. A pair of kribines could work(i think they are from west africa). The main problem is if you get a breeding pair it is best idea to remove anyother fish other wise they will probably be attacked
Smalltank3: not sure what species of africans you are talking about there are several type that work well in a ten gallon. But like any fish bigger is almost always better
Id go for some small shellies or julies or bachardis or something small. A pair of kribines could work(i think they are from west africa). The main problem is if you get a breeding pair it is best idea to remove anyother fish other wise they will probably be attacked
Any of the smaller shell dwellers would work in a 10. Dwarf julies might work, but wouldn't want to put them in anything smaller than a 20 gallon long. N. brichardi would work in a 10, but would do better in something larger. This is of course as a species only tank.
A pair of dwarf cichlids from SA would work in a 10 gallon.
A pair of dwarf cichlids from SA would work in a 10 gallon.
Ok, well I've decided I'm going to go for a 20 gal, since my 10 gal stand is also made for a 20 gal, and I can put the 10 gal tank underneath on the bottom shelf.. anyway, every place I research has different ideas about what size tank a certain fish should be in, so I though I'd get your opinions on it. I'd really like some color.... any suggestions?
Smalltank had a good Idea with the yellow labs. I would just get one though and mix it with other cichlids. yellow labs are not that aggresive but can hold their own but usally dont start anything. They are yellow with a little black so they are lots of color.
For color Id go with peacocks or haps. The only problem is I dont know the minimum tank size they might get to big.
For color Id go with peacocks or haps. The only problem is I dont know the minimum tank size they might get to big.
at *wal mart they have "misc south african cichlids" but I couldnt figure out which ones they actually were. Some were blue, some were yellow, really pretty.
*about wal mart fish - I feel so sorry for those fish, I'd love to keep them all. Thats kinda why I get some of my fish from there (they healthiest looking ones though) I like to get them to give them a better home... like my poor betta, who, by the way, is the happiest little guy ever now!! lol
*about wal mart fish - I feel so sorry for those fish, I'd love to keep them all. Thats kinda why I get some of my fish from there (they healthiest looking ones though) I like to get them to give them a better home... like my poor betta, who, by the way, is the happiest little guy ever now!! lol
Lostnconfused: I think everyone here likes to help out the poor little fishes at wal-mart but they are just going to be replaced with new poor little fishes. you are just aiding in the cycle. If you buy them they are just going to buy more. Not saying walmart fish are all bad.(I dont want to start a walmart bashing thread again there are enough of those we get the idea). I have a blue gourami that Ive had for over four years and his still going strong.
The misc south african cichlids are more likely mbunas, they have the reputation of being mean when they get older. The best place would be a LFS they have a better selection and more likely to have a specific names of the fish. A petco or petsmart are a little better then walmart but still are not the greatest.
The misc south african cichlids are more likely mbunas, they have the reputation of being mean when they get older. The best place would be a LFS they have a better selection and more likely to have a specific names of the fish. A petco or petsmart are a little better then walmart but still are not the greatest.
i wouldnt prefer ANY african species but shellies... peacocks are a VERY VERY minimal.... they should have a 29G if that but should have at least a 36" length and Haps... there is not one hap alive that should be kept under a 48" legth most likley 55G which would be the Copadicrhmois Genus, Protomelas shoud be kept in 75G unless your only keeping a trio.
in a 10g or 20G you are at a very minimal selection, labs are doable in a 29G but i wouldnt try it in a 20G remeber they are STILL MBUNA and MBUNA is mean!, haps and peacocks arent as mean but they need their space to fly.
im not trying to sound like a *** but if you are into africans and only wanna maintain a 10G or 20G u have alot to learn. YET you can grow out jeveniles in a 20G and move on up, and learn while you are growing them, that is your best bet IMO
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A single pair of Jewels (Hemichromis guttatus) would do better in a 30gl minimum. Not only are they nasty when they breed, they are prone to marital spats and get big. 5 or 6" might now seem like much but they'll definitely look cramped. H. lifalilli might do ok in a 20gl long since they max out at about 4" but bigger tanks allow more room for error should they not like one another.
Kribs, Pelvicachromis pulcher, would actually be perfectly suited to a 20 high or long. IME they don't do well long-term in a 10gl tank but are wonderful with the little extra space even a standard 20gl allows.
For a 10gl you could stock with a trio of multi's, Lamprologus multifasciatus. They're not the prettiest little fish but their interesting shell-dwelling and colonial behavior has made them a hobby favorite. Only gripe I'd have about keeping them in a 10gl is that they will quickly populate the tank and dozens of tiny shell-darting fry aren't easy to move out.
Lamprologus brevis is another shell dweller you can keep in a 10gl. A pair, trio (1M:2F) or possible 2 pairs may reside peacefully in the tank. There are several geographical variants of this species, one of which may appeal to you more. I personally love the "sunspots" from Ikola. The newer brevis from Kavalla are very nice too almost combining the "sunspot" with the "zebra" look of several other variants.
A trio of Lamprologus similis might do it for you. They're, in most people's opinions, prettier than the multifasciatus but they do not exhibit a colonial family relationship were previous generations of fry help look after the newer.
Maybe a pair of Lamprologus caudopunctatus would be better? The redfins are very popular, they almost never take a bad picture. A very beautiful little fish. Not a true shelldweller but they will use shells given nothing else (such as small caves) to use as a spawning site. Only problem is that they might get too aggressive for one another in a 10 and a 15-20gl may be a better option.
Now, to stray from Africans, perhaps you'd be interested in some blue, gold or German blue rams? Mikrogeophagus ramirezi is a very colorful South American dwarf cichlid who would be happy in a 10gl tank. A single ram or pair along with a small school of tetras such as neons would look wonderful in the tiny set-up.
Apistogramma trifasciata is another tiny SA dwarf perfect for small-tank living.
And, well, why only cichlids? Dario dario or the "Scarlet badis" is a beautiful little anabantid, cichlid-like in looks - very much like a very tiny Laetacara species. Maxes out at 1", enjoys a heavily planted tank without heavy filter flow and is surprisingly easy to breed. You can house one or two males and several females in a 10gl tank packed full of java moss and they wouldn't be happier. The only catch to this wonderful little species is that they are hard to find, though incredibly enough relatively cheap. I bought mine for $2 each and fell absolutely head over heels for them! Being that they are hard to find they are also in high demand among Badid enthusiasts.
20gl tanks would allow several more options.
Kribs, Pelvicachromis pulcher, would actually be perfectly suited to a 20 high or long. IME they don't do well long-term in a 10gl tank but are wonderful with the little extra space even a standard 20gl allows.
For a 10gl you could stock with a trio of multi's, Lamprologus multifasciatus. They're not the prettiest little fish but their interesting shell-dwelling and colonial behavior has made them a hobby favorite. Only gripe I'd have about keeping them in a 10gl is that they will quickly populate the tank and dozens of tiny shell-darting fry aren't easy to move out.
Lamprologus brevis is another shell dweller you can keep in a 10gl. A pair, trio (1M:2F) or possible 2 pairs may reside peacefully in the tank. There are several geographical variants of this species, one of which may appeal to you more. I personally love the "sunspots" from Ikola. The newer brevis from Kavalla are very nice too almost combining the "sunspot" with the "zebra" look of several other variants.
A trio of Lamprologus similis might do it for you. They're, in most people's opinions, prettier than the multifasciatus but they do not exhibit a colonial family relationship were previous generations of fry help look after the newer.
Maybe a pair of Lamprologus caudopunctatus would be better? The redfins are very popular, they almost never take a bad picture. A very beautiful little fish. Not a true shelldweller but they will use shells given nothing else (such as small caves) to use as a spawning site. Only problem is that they might get too aggressive for one another in a 10 and a 15-20gl may be a better option.
Now, to stray from Africans, perhaps you'd be interested in some blue, gold or German blue rams? Mikrogeophagus ramirezi is a very colorful South American dwarf cichlid who would be happy in a 10gl tank. A single ram or pair along with a small school of tetras such as neons would look wonderful in the tiny set-up.
Apistogramma trifasciata is another tiny SA dwarf perfect for small-tank living.
And, well, why only cichlids? Dario dario or the "Scarlet badis" is a beautiful little anabantid, cichlid-like in looks - very much like a very tiny Laetacara species. Maxes out at 1", enjoys a heavily planted tank without heavy filter flow and is surprisingly easy to breed. You can house one or two males and several females in a 10gl tank packed full of java moss and they wouldn't be happier. The only catch to this wonderful little species is that they are hard to find, though incredibly enough relatively cheap. I bought mine for $2 each and fell absolutely head over heels for them! Being that they are hard to find they are also in high demand among Badid enthusiasts.
20gl tanks would allow several more options.
yeah, I'm definately doing a 20 gal. but still am clueless as to what to put in it since opinions vary. I'd love a species tank, but it seems like in general cichlids need more space. I'm taking my time on this one, unlike the others that i have, to plan the environment, and fishless cycle. I havent even bought the tank yet. just trying to "do my homework"
Ok, I've been looking at the malawian cichlids ( i think those are the ones I saw at wal mart that caught my eye) however, I dont see them under the fish profiles on here. Does anyone have any opinions are advice about them? By the way, I've decided to get a 55 gal tank since my bala will need it eventually,and turn the 30 gal into a species tank...(cichlid or gourami, doing my research to decide which one) I really want a cichlid tank, but if I cant fine enough kinds that get along and are the same size etc... then I will probably go with the gourami tank...
Malawian cichlids
I was researching malawian cichlids on the internet, and they said that a 30 gal is ok for them. I was looking at these:
electric yellow
electric blue
blue peacock
yellow peacock
red peacock
albino peacock
I was just wondering if these are ok together (not saying I'm getting them all) because I also read that all lake malawian cichlids can be kept together. Also, can you keep aggressive and semi aggressive fish together? There are some aggressive and semi aggressive lake malawian cichlids that I'm interested in, but I dont know if they can be kept together (even though the website i read say they can all be housed together) Just wanting to know your oppinons. thanks
I was researching malawian cichlids on the internet, and they said that a 30 gal is ok for them. I was looking at these:
electric yellow
electric blue
blue peacock
yellow peacock
red peacock
albino peacock
I was just wondering if these are ok together (not saying I'm getting them all) because I also read that all lake malawian cichlids can be kept together. Also, can you keep aggressive and semi aggressive fish together? There are some aggressive and semi aggressive lake malawian cichlids that I'm interested in, but I dont know if they can be kept together (even though the website i read say they can all be housed together) Just wanting to know your oppinons. thanks
are you planning on breeding any of these species? if so you might want to refer to a safely mixing peacocks if needed article. if your planning on stocking all these int he same 30G i think thats a bit much, but just my opinion others might think different.
the mbuna species listed are the least aggressive when it comes to mbuna but i wouldnt mix mbuna with aulonocara species... doable yes but there could and most likley will be longterm problems.
and how many are you thinking of keeping of each? 1? a few? a pair?
just remeber yellow labs are still mbuna and mbunas get nasty.
30gallons are perfect for keeping a group of peacocks IMO if your really wanting all these your best bet is a 55gallon with a 48" footprint or similar to be safe.
in your previous post you mentioned your turning the 30 gallon into a species tank so your thinkign about pickign just one of these to make it a species tank? you got me a bit confused lol
the mbuna species listed are the least aggressive when it comes to mbuna but i wouldnt mix mbuna with aulonocara species... doable yes but there could and most likley will be longterm problems.
and how many are you thinking of keeping of each? 1? a few? a pair?
just remeber yellow labs are still mbuna and mbunas get nasty.
30gallons are perfect for keeping a group of peacocks IMO if your really wanting all these your best bet is a 55gallon with a 48" footprint or similar to be safe.
in your previous post you mentioned your turning the 30 gallon into a species tank so your thinkign about pickign just one of these to make it a species tank? you got me a bit confused lol