10 Gal

[Fish Buddy]

I am giving my cousin one of my tanks but the fish that she really wants to put in it are cichlids. The tank has a hagan aqua clear mini filter and a flouressent light. Are there any cichlids that she could keep?

 

[canarsie11]

Maybe pair of rams, thats it. IMO it is pushing it

 

[Arfie]

I thought you couldn't have any in a 10G, but could Dwarf Cichlids work ?

Arfie

 

[lizard]

Perhaps shell dwellers? Other than that, I don't know of any...

Pamela
aka Married Lizard

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Rams can be bred in a 10 gallon tank, but they require dither fish. You might have to get a slightly bigger tank if your cousin really wants cichlids.

 

[Fish Buddy]

Ok. Thanks for the great info!

 

[parker313]

A male and female pair (vs just a pair meaning 2) of gold or blue rams could work. They max out about 2" and a male and female are less likely to have territory disputes than 2 males or 2 females.

As tank companions, a school of dither fish like neons, harlequin rasboras or something else upper-water-dwelling, small and very peaceful complement the rams nicely.

 

[Tempestuousfury]

And, of course, if you plan on breeding or want to make these fish feel at home (provided you buy them) add upturned flower-pots and plants. It'll make them feel somewhat more secure and give them places to deposit eggs.

 

[willywonka099]

Rams culd be kept in there

 

[David]

I agree. A pair of rams and a small school of 6-7 neons would be your best bet.

 

[Fish Buddy]

Wow, wow, wow... wont rams eat neons? (I would feel sorry for the little guys being chased because they are the dither-too much stress?)

If rams don't eat neons great. How much are they?

 

[Fish Buddy]

I guess they don't eat neons. To get a ph of 5-6 what rocks would you reccomend? Maybe I should avoid putting plants in (increase ph)?

 

[Cheese Specialist]

I wouldn't put any cichlids in there. Neons are schooling fish and need room to do that in, they are small but they like a fair bit of space.

Some say rams because of size but there could be problems with aggression and waste. The waste they produce could make it difficult to keep the levels ok.

JMO

 

[parker313]

I guess they don't eat neons. To get a ph of 5-6 what rocks would you reccomend? Maybe I should avoid putting plants in (increase ph)?

Rams are fine at a pH of 6.5 - 7. Most rams are bred and raised in that level of water so it's what they're acclimatised to anyway. It's better to get fish to go in the water you have, rather than trying to use chemicals to make the water fit your fish.

No, rams don't eat neons. The dither fish doesn't mean something for the rams to chase, but the idea is a school of fish swimming in the open signifies to shy/timid fish like the rams that it's all clear, no predators. Rams, while territorial, can be timid.

If you do get the rams, I would definitely make sure to keep on top of water changes as they NEED the best quality water. Also, make sure you have a divider on hand for emergency separation in case they start to fight AND make sure you would have a contingency plan if they are too aggressive to keep together.