are there any cichlids suitable to 20 gallon?

[in_denial]

Don't tell me I need a 125 gallon tank. What cichlids would be suitable for a smaller tank? I had a guy at work tell me he used to keep 8 african cichlids in a 15 gallon tank. I told him that was severe overstocking and he told me to go to any fish store to see 25-30 in a small tank. I know this is not ideal conditions, but he has a point. Could I keep 2 small cichlids in the 20 gallon? If yes, what variety and what fish could I stock with them.

Thanks.

 

[chris allsop]

Most african cichlids are so agresive so people say over stocking reduces fighting.
most small american species should be ok.

 

[breezer40]

How about a pair of Rams?

 

[in_denial]

Thanks Chris,

What do you think would qualify as overstocking for africans in a 20 gallon? 3 or 4? Or 6+?

 

[in_denial]

Thanks Breezer. Do you know where I can find some pictures and care info for rams?

Thanks,

 

[freddyk]

If you only want a pair of fish, check out Tanganyika. You can do a pair of Neo. Leleupi, Caudopunctatus, Julidochromis, brichardi, altolamp. dwarf.. No lack of choices. You can also do a colony or harem of shelldwellers. It's the cichlids from lake Malawi you'll want to avoid for tanks these size. You can also do a pair of rams, kribs, apistogramma, or keyholes.

BTW, fish stores do daily water changes and still lose a lot of fish keeping them that way. Not a good idea to look at a fish store for examples.

 

[breezer40]

Thanks Breezer. Do you know where I can find some pictures and care info for rams?

Thanks,

http/mike-edwardes.members.beeb.net/Mramerizi.html

There you go.

 

[in_denial]

This site was extremely negative towards the rams. It appears that they have been overbred thus resulting in their small size. I don't like the fact that they are riddled with parasites.

 

[Ferris]

I haven't personally kept rams but a lot of members here have kept them very successfully. Some sites are very negative and I wouldn't worry too much about that if you fancy getting them.

 

[breezer40]

Sorry about that in_denial..it was the first site I came across Next time I will make sure it is a little more informative. I have 3 pairs of Rams and love them to bits

 

[steelhealr]

Hi..I have two German blue rams and they are the picture of health. The color is amazing and they glow under the tank's moonlights. They have amazing fin movements that are reminiscent of a dog perking up it's ears. They'd probably do fine in a well planted 20G. SH

 

[in_denial]

Thanks for all of the info. I checked other sites and everything is really positive. I've read that they really like the ph in the range of 5-6. My ph is currently 6.8. They look really cool.

 

[keane]

Thanks for all of the info. I checked other sites and everything is really positive. I've read that they really like the ph in the range of 5-6. My ph is currently 6.8. They look really cool.

as has been pointed out on a number of occasions by freddyk...it must be borne in mind that, whilst the internet will provide you with a species' OPTIMUM water parameters, the fish will inevitably have been bred in captivity in any event and as such will be acclimated to parameters of our waters rather than the water in the wild.

With this in mind I would not worry at all that your pH is over and above the Rams optimum figure.

I have a pair of German Blues, a pair of Bolivian Rams and a pair of Kribensis. All are in my community tank that has a pH of around 7. No problems have been encountered and my German Blues have even spawned twice already .

hope this helps

steve 8)