Ideas For Nice Small Cichlids?

[dothedew]

So here is my tank setup so far

Bolivian Ram
5 serpae tetras
2 peppered cories
2 aeneus cories
bnose

It is a 45G tall tanks (3ftLx2ftHx1ftW)
I love the ram to death, was wondering about other options for this tank.
I always try to get the cories numbers up, I can never keep new ones alive though
My filter is an aquaclear 70.

My tank is decorated with fake plants, a pot, a rock sculpture thing and driftwood. I plan on getting more plants, it is looking a bit empty.

Thanks

 

[freddyk]

How about getting a bunch more rams - get a mate for the one you have, plus there's plenty of room for a second pair too. More (short) plants and decoration is a good idea, rams do much better with good ground cover. Looks like you can also do some top dwellers, like rasbora's.

 

[juanveldez]

I agree with freddy, there are a couple options though. you could go with a couple more rams, or you could always add a trio of apistos. then there is also archocentrus spinosissmus would do fine in your set up. in fact a spino took first place in class 9 central american cichlids under 6 inches total length at the ACA 2005 show this year.

 

[aardvarkfromspace]

Could try keyhole cichlids, or maybe festivums... keyholes stay smaller and aren't usually too aggressive. Festivum get bigger, but usually stay around the top of the aquarium.. I have both in my square 40g tank and they work out well.

 

[Griz]

Start with a mate for your ram. and then I would add a trio of apistogramma. They will coexist if given the right setup and apistos enjoy the same conditions as the rams. Plus there are many species available so you should have no trouble finding something you like. Depending on where you live, they may not be easy to find but fortunately there are several reputable on-line sources.

 

[dothedew]

I have nothing to do with fry if they spawn.

 

[Griz]

It's rather unlikely that any fry will survive in a community setup. Corys and tetras will eat the eggs and fry. However, watching the natural behaviour of these fish (courtship/breeding/rearing young) is quite interesting and IMO is a big part of their appeal.

I see that your 45gal has the same footprint as my 33gal. I'm not sure about having 2 species of dwarf cichlids in that tank. (ie apistos/rams) that are mated pairs/trios. I'd stick to just one.