Cichlids

[Fishyfishfish2010]

ok so if i was to get apistogrammas, rams etc what else could i put in the tank with them?

 

[BethK]

for a 30Gal, I would say possibly 1 male and 3 females.

Apistos are bottomw dwellers, occasionally hovering about the middle section.

You could get some smaller tetras or rasboros (I'd say 8 in a 30gal).

But I would read up on cichlids, dwarf species and get to know them, as there are many types of apistos. You have to take tank temps and water hardness/softness into account too.

There are more experienced keepers on this forum, that I am sure will come along and give you better advice, than myself.

 

[Wills]

In a 30 gallon tank you are really looking at either 2 species of Dwarf Cichlid or 1 pair of Medium Cichlids or 3 single specimens of medium cichlids. Or actually as an other option a group of gregarious cichlids like Cupid Cichlids.

My choice would be the Cupids and I would do a tank like this

4 Cupid Cichlids - or any Biotodoma species
10 Emperor Tetras
10 Panda Cories

Nice mix of species lots of colour and fish that just look good together - you could maybe even add in a small group of hatchet fish as well

Wills

 

[Fishyfishfish2010]

what other types of fish would be good with the cichilds?

 

[Wills]

Totally depends on which cichlids you want to go with.

 

[Fishyfishfish2010]

im not too sure yet i want something thats somewhat peacefull

 

[Fishyfishfish2010]

is a Kribensis a community fish? i have been told they are

 

[BethK]

is a Kribensis a community fish? i have been told they are

Not peaceful, they have a temper

 

[kaivalagi]

The cupids are quite peaceful for cichlids being a small eartheater type, so what Wills has suggested may suit you best, plus they are quite a unique fish. This is what you'd be in for:

I would say most South American cichlids are somewhat peaceful in comparison to Africans and to a certain extent Central American cichlids too.


Your best bet in my mind if you want lots of community fish would be Apistos (2 females and 1 male) I think...small bodied fish with some attitude but that will live in a 30USG tank quite happily with lots of other non-cichlid type fish providing there is lots of cover (as a general rule, individual cichlids can vary in behaviour though!). Here;'s a good site on Apistos and other dwarf cichlids: http/www.dwarfcichlid.com/Apistogramma.php

If you are going to start a new tank and have never done this before make sure you read lots first though, you'll want to understand the nitrogen cycle and what steps you'll have to go through before adding any fish to the tank, fish-less cycling is the order of the day so read up on that if you dont know about it yet.

Have fun