what's the smallest size for a cichlid tank?

[mcshell]

HI
i want to start a tank with cichlids. i wonder what's the smallest / reasonable size of tank i should get?

is 20gal ok?

thanks

 

[Kyle]

A 20 gallon would be good for a pair of dwarf cichlids and a few other fish. Here is a link with that has some dwarf cichlids.

Dwarf Cichlids

 

[wayne]

There are a few you can keep in a 20. What are your local water conditions - let that decide what you go for.

 

[mcshell]

oh i haven't really got the tank set up yet. still deciding what size of a tank i should get.
i've a 55 gal, but i would like to leave that one for my tetra / barbs etc community tank.
so i want to set up a new one for cichlid, but since space is limited, i wonder what's the best smallest size.

i'd like to keep some Tanganyika Cichlids, some blue / yellow strips ones.

 

[daveheard]

I just got a pair of Microgeophagus ramirezi which are shown in the link that kyle posted.
Very colourful and very beautiful fish, may be worth considering..

 

[Kyle]

Originally posted by mcshell
i'd like to keep some Tanganyika Cichlids, some blue / yellow strips ones.

Those would work. I don't know much about shell dwellers though, so you'll have to get some other opinions.

But here is a link about some Tanganyika cichlids.

Tanganyika Cichlid

 

[mcshell]

thanks!
how about some convicts too?

 

[Kyle]

Convicts would probably be pushing the stocking limits, but I think you might be able to go with a pair of them.

 

[TaffyFish]

how about some convicts too?

Please tell me you don't mean "as well" !? :-(

You could keep any of the following Tanganyikan shell dwellers in a 20L, I've given a suggested starting ratio of males and females:-

Lamprologus multifasciatus (2 pairs or 1m 3-4f)
Lamprologus brevis (2-3 pairs)
Lamprologus similis (2-3 pairs)
Lamprologus ocellatus, speciosus, meleagris (2m 3-4f)
Lepidiolamprologus hecqui, meeli, boulengeri (1 pair)
Altolamprologus compressiceps Sumbu dwarf (1-2 pairs)
Neolamprologus caudopunctatus (1-2 pairs)

None of the above have blue/yellow stripes, if you're meaning tretocephalus, sexfasciatus or frontosa forget it.

 

[mcshell]

do you mean convicts can't go with Tanganyikan ?

 

[TaffyFish]

No, that's not what I said.
(Though being a purist I would say don't mix SA/CA with Africans.)

What I said was please don't add convicts AS WELL in a 20.

 

[dss2004]

Convicts will completely overrun your aquarium with fry. So unless you feel like taking out new fry every month or so don't get convicts. They are fun to watch but they will bully fish and can become a nuisance after awhile. I like taffyfishs idea keep the fish in the same region as the other tank inhabitants. Your likely to have less problems with aggresion and asthetically the fish look better with other fish from their region, IMO.

 

[blueturq]

The convicts will beat the HELL out of the little shelldwellers and will more than likely kill them!

 

[JWright]

Actually... a breeding colony of multis would give a pair of Cons a run for their money...

NB: I am _not_ suggesting anyone try this.

 

[SpanishGuy111]

NO CONS! Only if theyre alone.

Also, maybe you should look into the following (for a 20G):

A. spilurum
A. sajiica (archocentrus being the A)
Herotilapia multispinosa
Aequidens Maroonii
Mikrogeophaegus Altispinosa

(these are all SA)

 

[wayne]

I thought Archocentrus was a Central American genus predominantly?
I found sajica almost as nasty as cons.

 

[nynick]

....and a pair of lepidolamprologus (hecqui, meeli, boulengeri) would shred a convict pair. I would ecco the others who has said stay away from convicts (unless you are wanting to raise huge amounts of fry to use as feeders). They are not very attractive compared to many other equaly easy cichlids, the Red Jewel comes to mind. That is a great fish if you are new to cichlids and a pair will do great in a 20. Just shop around as they come in stunning red with blue specs and the more common "my mother is also my sister and aunt" coloring