If Possible

[Gaz_S]

Having kept Rams for a couple of month i have now started to appreciate cichlids. I have realised how much more personality they have than tetras and other shoaling fish. Im now considering moving away from my community and just keeping a pair of cichlids and catfish. I wanted you guys and gals to give some ideas. 30gal , eheim 2215 filter, and ph 7.0-7.2. I know the size isnt great to work with!

Cheers

 

[kaivalagi]

If you only want a pair 30USG can take on quite a few varieties, take your pic of many species that max out at around 4-5" I'd say. However you will also need to consider the requirements if they breed...

I had to move out a male Honduran Red Point from his tank as after a bit as he decided he wanted to spawn again so proceeded to eat his own young, maybe 4-5 weeks after the initial batch was "born". The young and mum are now in the tank and doing well, but I needed my bigger tank for him otherwise things would not have been pretty.

 

[Gaz_S]

Ah thanks for the pointing that out to me, ive been admiring Honduran Red Point very nice fish. I have rounded gravel substrate that i forgot to mention could this be a problem to some species?

 

[kaivalagi]

Gravel is fine, rounded is good so cory barbels etc aren't damaged. I used to use it too but I have since moved to sand, as I have eartheaters (Geo Red Head Tapajos) so wanted to make sure they could sift the substrate and all that

But if you're going to stick with Central American cichlids like HRP/Convicts/Firemouth etc gravel will be fine...most South American cichlids will do fine with it too...


What are the dimensions of the tank? The surface area is what matters most, for example you could have a very tall tank that's only 30USG which would mean no a lot of space on the bottom for territory...