Cichlids In A 20 Gallon

[Jessica13]

Ok, im not sure if i've put this in the right cichlid forum as i dont know which ones are which

But anyway.. I've just shut down my marine tank Because i just dont have the time for the maintenence it needs, so am going back to the less complicated tropical tank that i used to love! But this time i thought i'd go for something a little more colourful and interesting than livebearers and gouramis

So, can anyone advise me on what sort of cichlids i could have in that tank (its either 20 or 25 gallons, cant remember which!). As i said, i would like a few colourful cichlids, and maybe a few shelldwellers too but would really appreciate some help. The tank has two filters and a powerhead from the marine tank so should have plenty of filtration, and i was planning some slate etc to make it look pretty

I need to cycle the tank so its going to be at least a couple of weeks before im looking for fish so just looking for suggestions now

 

[Ferris]

A pair of Kribs or a pair of Rams would work nicely. Another alternative would be shelldwellers, you'll have to choose though as none of these should be mixed.

 

[Jessica13]

ewww, no thank you!

I have a ram... Boring thing with boring colours Had kribs and they were boring colours too.. As i said, I might have some shell dwellers, but am really looking for something a bit more interesting..

 

[Ferris]

Unless you can get a bigger tank, you're pretty much limited to shellies then but there's plenty of choice there so still interesting.

 

[aberdeen aquarist]

ewww, no thank you!

I have a ram... Boring thing with boring colours Had kribs and they were boring colours too.. As i said, I might have some shell dwellers, but am really looking for something a bit more interesting..

rams and kribs have boring colours, you haven't seen them in breeding mode then!!
as for shellies, i'd get a colony of n. multifasciatus, their colour isn't great but they more than make up for it with their character.

 

[jakey boi]

Hi,
You don't have much to chose from unless you overstock your tank .
Maybe if you got another tank that is a bit bigger you would have a wider choice of cichlids.

 

[G_Sharky]

I'm currently experiementing on my 20 gallon...I have 4 ps. saulosi 1m/3f...I'm trying to see if they'll successfully breed or even live together...I have enough rocks on this tank and plenty of filtration....so far so good, I'm not sure how agressive the male would become during spawning time....

 

[Ferris]

I've often thought Saulosi might be the exception to the rule when it comes to small tanks, I can see 1 male and 3 females working in a 20 gal. Keep us posted, i'd be interested to see if it does work out.