PLEASE HELP ME!

[xdedex]

i have a 30gal tank and i just called a friend i have that owns his own fish shop. i asked him what cichlids i could put in it. he suggested a red devil (not terror) or a sevrum. he said neither one will need a larger aquarium for a long time. is that true? also how hard is it to keep one of those, and how should i decorate the inside of my tank?
thank you.

 

[xdedex]

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please guys...... anything!

 

[moricollins]

ok, first off, give people time before replying to your own posts (i know people who would not reply to this post simply because you replied to your own post before there were other replies, just a thought to consider for next time)

red devils and severums should not need a larger tank for quite awhile, but both of these fish get fairly large, ,there are caresheets available here:
http://www.myfishtank.net/freshwaterprofiles.php?profile=179

http://www.myfishtank.net/freshwaterprofiles.php?profile=125


both are fairly easy to care for, ,and will usually arrange their tanks the way they like them.

 

[xdedex]

h

thank you SO much!

 

[Cichlidian]

Both Devil & Serverum has the potential to grow o'er a foot. Devils grow rather quickly. Upto 5-6" u can house it in a 3 0 gal tank. But when the fish exceeds 9" u need atleast a 4 feet tank. Dont worry bout decorations. Devils will decorate their tanks to their taste rearranging wht u've put in. If u go for severums live or plastic plants would do fine.

 

[Cichlid-Man]

Whoa........NO to either choice. Red Devil will get way to big and aggressive. And Severums will get to large. NO to either choice. As for growth rate...well i wouldn't pay to much attention to that. Because if the tank is kept clean and they are fed good, like they are supposed to be....they can grow rather quick.

Choose something smaller....sorry i'll give you some ideas tomorrow seeing how it is 2am.

 

[Purple]

I've found that Sevs will nip live plants - they don't eat them, but the plants will get shorter everyday till they're gone.

Academic really - because as above, neither Sevs or reds are good in a 30. They'll get too big to quickly. Looks like your "friend" is going to have to con someone else into buying them from him.

The best way to set up a tank is to get it right the first time, rather than chasing your mistakes all the time. Get fish that will grow into your tank - not out of it.

 

[catfishmike]

are you sure your friend runs a shop?thats too small for either fish as stated above.i couldn't guess at what kind of trouble a red devil would be in a 30.they are smart fish known to dig smash break and anything else to occupy their time.that would be a sad red devil.sevs get too big as well,but a young sev could be grown out in a 30 for a while.not a permanat solution though.