Cichilid. Minimum Tank Size?

[ChrisC]

Hi,
Over the last few weeks I've fallen hopelessly in love with cichilids. The problem is, the only tank even APROACHING suitable is a 20 gal, which is being used at the moment as a comunity tank. The thing is, I was wondering: what is the minimum tank size to house a cichilid? Now I know that obviously they come in huge amounts of different shapes and sizes. The two I see very frequently around where I live is a grey/blue variety with stripes and a yellow variety. Apparently the grow to 5" (12cm).

Also, could a single cichild survive in a comunity aquarium? Would he become too aggressive to other fish?

Thanks,
Chris

 

[demonmagus]

cichlids are usually quite aggressive

One convict can live in a 20-30 gallon methinks, but if you have a breeding pair you'll be overrun, as I think they actually look after their babies.

 

[black angel]

sounds like a convict and i wouldnt put that in with any other fish.
What about some rams as a beginner to them?

 

[Luke & Penny]

Hiya, im not sure what cichlid your talking about, but i know malawis wont go with other community fish they need to be with their own species and also well stocked to help avoid any bullying.
Minimum tank i would imagine would be a 40 gallon but then you have to be evry choosy about wat cichlids you go for as they do grow well.

Ive seen angelfish in a community tank but the other tankmates were around the same size or bigger as anything that fits in their mouths goes in.

for an example I have Lake malawi mbuna and in my tank there are 13 malawis consisting of 4 different species, and the tank is a 60 gallon (UK) tank.

the pinned article on keeping mbuna is a good read plus there are other more experienced people on here that will be able to advise you more on different cichlids.

Good Luck, and i understand the love at first sight feeling as i did when i first saw a malawi set up

 

[ChrisC]

Well, thanks for the replies. The general verdict then for a minimum tank size is about 40+ gal UK. It's interesting that the minimum tank size for a single cichilid is the same size as the minimum for a comunity of cichilds?

Does a 5" fish really need a 40 gal just to itself? I'm asking because I'm thinking about setting up a tank just to house one of them, I'm just wondering what size I would need just for one.

And yes, I think the yellow cichilds were Yellow Labs.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[MasterP]

Besides dwarf species you really need a 30 gallon tank, in which you could put a couple medium sized cichlids like jewel cichlids (one of my favorites).

 

[ChrisC]

What about just one cichilid on it's own?

 

[demonmagus]

like a convict...?

 

[freddyk]

One cichlid on its own can be housed in a smaller tank because the main reason they need big tanks is that they are very territorial, and with one fish it gets all the tank as his territory. The only thing is, with most cichlids keeping one is pretty boring as so much of their character comes from keeping them in pairs or groups, when they are much more active and interact with each other.

In a 20 gallon tank all options are not lost. You can do a pair of Rams or a pair or trio of Apistogramma (new world cichlids), some shelldwellers (African Tanganyikan), or a pair of kribs (west African). These aren't the only ones that fit, but that covers the most popular. Fish from lake Malawi (mbuna, haps, peacocks) should not be considered for this size of tank.

Different cichlids have different needs so make sure you learn about the ones you want before buying them.

 

[ChrisC]

like a convict...?

Yep.

It's an interesting point freddyk about them losing their character on their own, but I love them so much that I wouldn't really care too much. To me, bettas are very uncharacteristic boring fish, but they're still beautiful. Anyway, Pablo my GSP is more than characterfull enough to cover the rest of my fish!

Thanks,
Chris

 

[diademhill]

Juwel Rekord 96
===========
2 Killifish
1 Betta
2 Swordtails
2 Harlequins
2 Apple Snails
2 Khuli Loaches
3 Bronze Corydoras

Aqua 40ltr
=======
1 Pablo the Green Spotted Puffer
Chris

A better plan of action would be to upgrade Pablo ASAP to a 40g rather than a 40l tank. The 40l could then house a trio of shelldwellers.

 

[ChrisC]

Juwel Rekord 96
===========
2 Killifish
1 Betta
2 Swordtails
2 Harlequins
2 Apple Snails
2 Khuli Loaches
3 Bronze Corydoras

Aqua 40ltr
=======
1 Pablo the Green Spotted Puffer
Chris

A better plan of action would be to upgrade Pablo ASAP to a 40g rather than a 40l tank. The 40l could then house a trio of shelldwellers.

Well, I haven't updated my siggy for a while. I now have:

Juwel 96
======
2 Killfish
2 Apple Snails
2 Khuli Loaches
3 Bronze Corydoras
1 Harlequin
2 Swordtails

Aqua 40
======
1 Betta

60ltr
===
Pablo

I know that 60ltrs is still insufficient, but at the moment he's only about 1.25" and is still a juve.

I was thinking of adding a pair of rams/kribs to the comunity tank though. Would they be ok?

Thanks,
Chris

 

[diademhill]

Pablo

I know that 60ltrs is still insufficient, but at the moment he's only about 1.25" and is still a juve.

I was thinking of adding a pair of rams/kribs to the comunity tank though. Would they be ok?

Thanks,
Chris

You could have a pair of Rams in the 96 but I wouldn't chance them in the 60l with the other fish and if you are planning a shuffle it is probably better to wait until you have the others sorted.
A tip for you - get a piggy bank! Whenever you manage to resist buying a fish put the price in the pig. You'll be surprised how soon the money mounts up.

Sue

 

[ChrisC]

Well, for the time being, everything is going to stay where it is. It'll be atleast a year before pablo grows out of his tank, and when he does I'm going to get a 180ltr.

Thanks,
Chris