Minimum tank IMO is a 55g, which yes is best to be 4ft long, minimum of 14" wide (as a male GT can reach 12")
ok, sweet, i just thought that if it was 4 ft long then it would be not wide enough for it.
In this size tank, it would need to be the ONLY cichlid and possibly some dither fish, for example, Giant Danios and possibly a hardy bottom dwelling plec (not common plec though). If you try to add any other cichlid into this tank, it will most likely end in death for it, as a GT can/is an aggressive fish.
i didnt plan on having any other fish other then maybe a plec,(would a BN plec survive?) but if i have have some giant danios i may get some, are dither fish good for the green terror? i dont exactly get the idea of ditherfish
When young, they are fairly easy going, still pushy but not overly nasty, however, once they reach around 5-6" and their hormones start to kick in, like any teenager, they become grumpy and more often than not extremely aggressive and will try to claim the tank/area as their own, obviously in a much larger tank you stand more chance of them living with another cichlid, but in such a small tank as a 55g, there is no place for another fish to hide and the GT will be relentless in their aggression.
I had a GT which lived peacefully with my large severum and Oscar for a while (plus the other fish) who became aggressive and very violent almost overnight and with no warning and decided that my 5ft 125g was his and only his and as such had to be rehomed.
Ive now got another GT (mad I know) that Im hoping doesnt turn out to be so aggressive (as with any fish they each have their own temprement) but Im aware this likely wont happen and have a back up tank in case he needs removing quickly.
