Help Req, Thanks.

[sthomas048]

Im new here. My name is Stephen and Im from South Wales, UK. Im contemplating keeping some fish after quite a while away from the hobby. Im hoping for some friendly advice. I really love Cichlids. I need to know which to house in my aqaurium. Its a 20 gallon (i know its tiny i cant afford any bigger) and my water is fairly soft and acidic. Im quite into bright coloured fish ! So what do you think ? Im quite taken with Nannacara Anomala, Keyholes, Etroplus Maculatus and Labidochromis Caeruleus. Ideally i dont mind a 2-3 Cichlids and some other small tetras. You are all fed up of newbie questions i know, but any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks very much.

Stephen

 

[altselgreen]

Hey Stephen, welcome to the forums.

If you want cichlids in you're tank, you're going to want to get some non-aggressive ones. Maybe a pair of Ram Cichlids also known as German Rams and Blue Rams. They are really colourful and will go well in a small aquarium like yours. You're water pH is perfect for them, and if you're going to go planted, then they are the cichlids for you.

You could also have shoal of some nice tetras to go with them, something like glowlights. Peaceful, small, community fish.

Whatever you go with, Good Luck!

 

[darkwolf29a]

Excellent advice. Rams are greaet for a tank your size. And they can be very colorful, depending on the species you choose.

I never tire of newbie questions, so ask away.

 

[altselgreen]

Excellent advice. Rams are greaet for a tank your size. And they can be very colorful, depending on the species you choose.

I never tire of newbie questions, so ask away.

Thanks very much. I always try to answer the questions that some people cant be bothered to answer. I'm actually suprised not many people replied to this question...

 

[sthomas048]

I do like Rams. I thought it was kind of physic that Rams were suggested !

Im planning on buying a Fluval Roma 125 which is about 25g in UK/30g in the US. So a little more room to work with.

Im quite keen on a community tank. I like quite a wide variety of fish. Today i saw a ropefish/reedfish for the first time - wow ! But my dream would be to have some Cichlids as the focal point in my tank. Fish that have taken my fancy recently -

Kuhli Loaches
(Metallic) Rosy Barbs,
Black Widow, Buenos Aires, Bleeding Heart and Columbian Tetras.

Stephen

 

[altselgreen]

I'm sorry but I'm not very good with loaches, you'll need someone else for that.

You could get 2 rams, if you're still up for them, maybe 3 or 4 rosy barbs and a shoal of the tetras you said. Are you planning on going planted? You've got a bit to work with, and, if you want rams (or cichlids) as your main focus, build it around them. What would go well with them? Do you want to breed them? That kind of thing.

I'll try and help you out as much as possible so ask anything if you need some more advice.

Good Luck.

 

[shroob]

I wouldn't get kuhli loaches, you never see the damn things. Only time you see them is when you replease them from the bag.
Colourful small cichlids...apisto's?

http/www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/category.php?cat=30

Just some images I found on photobucket.

 

[altselgreen]

Oh yeah. Apistos are beautiful. I used to have a pair... Lovely awesome fish.

 

[sthomas048]

Mmm, i quite like the sound of 2 Rams, 3 Rosy Barbs and some Columbian Tetras. Yes altselgreen, I would like to focus on the Rams primarily, although i think Apistos are cool Shroob. I will be planting my tank, but as im new to planting it will only be the basic stuff like swords, java ferns etc; As for breeding the Rams, id love to but it wouldnt be my priority yet as i dont think i have the facilities to care for them when the young uns are old enough. I have now learned the Kuhli Loaches would be fine with Rams. Choices, choices ! I love fish, all fish infact !

 

[sthomas048]

My curiousity has arrived ! Could i keep just a tank of Cichlids ? Say 3 or 4 Rams or/and 3 or 4 Apistos ? I could really create a perfect environment specifically for them then. Btw i found a great page about Apistos - http/www.dwarf-cichlid.com/page4.html