20g Tank Options

[Kame-San]

Some time this month I will have an empty 20G (and cycled) tank to 'fill up'. I would like to try some cichlids, and thought that I might as well go on and do my research now. I don't know what my LFS has, as I haven't really looked at their cichlids, but there are a few I like, and would like to get opinions on anyway.

I was thinking a pair of kribs, but they need a minimum of 20 gallons for a pair, right? And they have a lot of fry, correct?

I also like lamprologus similis and neolamprologus brichardi. What are these like, in your opinion?

If there are any sites with good info, or if any of you have opinions on these fish (or even some that I might not have spotted, and you think are great) I would really appreciate some input.

Thanks

 

[jayjay]

Kribs would be ok. As would N. Brichardi also the multiple species of shell dwellers there are. Could also have Egyptian mouthbrooders I think.

I'm setting up a 24x12x12 tank for N. Brichardi in a few days, just need to buy the fish and move my gourami out.

 

[mamafish68]

1 brichardi in a 20 is fine but if you think you're going to breed them, go get a pet rock LOL

assuming you get a handful to see if any pair up...



it's a blood bath waiting to happen.



stick with the kribs

 

[Kame-San]

Thanks. Okay, so, no brichardi.

If I can find some kribs at my LFS (or have them order a pair for me) I think I might go with those. I hadn't planned on any tankmates, but one site I read said that they're fairly shy, and that a small group of tetras (or other small, 'braver' fish, might be a bit of a help with pulling the kribs into the open. So, any opinions on tank mates?

And thanks for the replies

 

[jayjay]

Well from doing alot of research and asking on cichlid forums i've found a 15g 24x12x12 is fine for a pair of brichardi. If the tank has enough caves, good enough filteration etc. I can't see a problem.

I stick by my orignal suggestions.

 

[mamafish68]

jayjay, have you EVER bred Brichardi?

 

[jayjay]

What does my breeding have to do with it? No I have not. Also what is the point you are making?

EDIT- Just to add, I have had a pair before though.

 

[mamafish68]

What does my breeding have to do with it? No I have not. Also what is the point you are making?

EDIT- Just to add, I have had a pair before though.

Ilike to coment ONLY from expierence's that I have had, it gives credence to the reply I feel instead of throwing out some stuff thats been read...



"what does my breeding have to do with it?" you ask... If you had bred Brichardi, you'd know that each time they spawn they are capable of producing up to and above 100 fry each time, not only that but the second time they spawn the FIRST brood is still allowed in and around the nest, SO... now you're looking at a possible 200+ fish in one 20 gallon tank...now lets jump tp spawn #5 you're now seeing the first brood has grown to about 1/5 inch and the numbers have dropped considerably because the parents have terrorized and murdered them, NOW their going after anything in the tank that moves because that 20 gallon that you thought would be ok has now turned into a cess pool of fish crap, spawning hormones, breeding territory, all out buffett with new fry on the menu!!



I believe my point was just made.

You can coment on stuff you've read all you want but it's personal expierence I give attention to.

 

[jayjay]

Ah your commenting on fry numbers, I have many lfs that will take them and plan a chaca chaca tank. Your point was justifed but doesn't apply to all.

 

[Kame-San]

Ok, so um, still no brichardi

I've recently discovered L. meleagri/stappersi (pearly ocellatus) . How would a pair/trio/revers trio do? I've read a site that was almost like a 'journal' that someone kept for these, and they had a reverse trio in a 10g tank. I've done quite a bit of research (about as much that can be done in 12 hours time...) and narrowed my choices down to a pair or kribs, or a trio/reverse trio of pearly ocellatus.

Any opinions/suggestions on these?

And thanks for the replies and opinions you've given so far

 

[mamafish68]

I have (hence the reply) strappersi and as long as you have ONE male to any amount of females you should be ok, what do you plan to do when they have a brood? let nature take its course or take out the fry to other tanks? They will spawn but it's been my experience that their amounts are low and survival is low unless you take out the female with her shell and fry intact. Wish you were close by i'd GIVE you some of my fry from these guys:

 

[Kame-San]

Your fish? Wonderful

I'd probably let nature take it's course, saving a brood or two every now and then. I don't have a fry tank any longer (I had tons of guppies, but my mother brought home a fire-bellied toad in a one gallon kritter keeper so I decided to take down the fry tank and make it a home for the toad. Which is exactly why I am getting rid of my guppies, freeing up the 20g.) so I'm not sure what I would do with a ton of fry anyway.

Being put through mail must be terrible. I can't even imagine it. Poor fish. (this wasn't random lol. It was in response to your "wish you were close" xD)

 

[Boids-n-more]

As always differnt experiences from diferent people. I've had a pair of brichardi in a community tanks and they bred and raised the babies in that tank with out killing everything else in there. They can have 100 fry but not always and the fry they have don't always make it. if you want a cheap fry tank for a few babies just get a 10 gallon with a sponge filter and use the babies as trade for fishfood or bigger tanks down the road. its just a thought incase you go that route cause there beutiful fish. Now i need to go get me a a few to pair them up again lol. Thanks LOL

 

[mamafish68]

Ok, so um, still no brichardi

seems clear enough to me

 

[Boids-n-more]

it may seem clear but there judgement has been clouded by some what false info.