New Cichid Tank Set Up

[skullknight]

Im starting my first fish tank setup and ive decided that I want it to be a Cichlid's tank. I have a couple questions if someone wouldn't mind helping me out. My first is what would be my limit on the amount I can get for a 30 gallon freshwater tank? My next is can I just mix and match Cichlid's or will some not play well together? And my final question is would an Albino Senegalus Eel be a good tank mate with Cichlid's? Any help would be much appreciated!

 

[Gvilleguy]

Hi skull,

Welcome to our little forum!

Unfortunately, I would say that a 30 gallon is somewhat limited in how many cichlids you can comfortably house. I have a 26 gallon and tried four bolivian rams. Once they got to be adult sized, that tank was too small to allow them comfortable territories of their own, and resulted in a lot of fighting.

I re-homed two of the rams and it got better.

So a 30 gallon.....not sure you could house more than two dwarf cichlids in there. Any idea of the measurements for the potential tank? I think it would help if the tank was longer rather than deeper.

 

[skullknight]

I actually just thought that may be too small for them as well. Think I will upgrade to a 40 gallon. The tank is longer rather than deeper so it should help for swim and growth room. Can I mix and match or do I need to get a couple of the same kind?

 

[dbanner]

It really depends on what kind of cichlids you want and what exactly you mean by "mix and match"?

For example, do you want south American cichlids? Central American? Or African? If you were to go for African then you would need a tank of JUST African cichlids as you can't mix them with others.

In a 40 gallon (which is around 150 litres I believe) you could have possibly either an African cichlid tank with lots of rocks OR get some dwarf cichlids like apistogrammas or rams, say a ratio of 1 male and 2 female then have some schooling fish like 10 or so of tetra species and maybe some zebra loaches for the bottom?

You may be able to get a medium sized cichlid like a firemouth or a blue acara

It really depends on what kind of cichlids you want and what exactly you mean by "mix and match"?

For example, do you want south American cichlids? Central American? Or African? If you were to go for African then you would need a tank of JUST African cichlids as you can't mix them with others.

In a 40 gallon (which is around 150 litres I believe) you could have possibly either an African cichlid tank with lots of rocks OR get some dwarf cichlids like apistogrammas or rams, say a ratio of 1 male and 2 female then have some schooling fish like 10 or so of tetra species and maybe some zebra loaches for the bottom?

You may be able to get a medium sized cichlid like a firemouth or a blue acara? A Senegal Birchir would also make a good tank mate for either of these. Iv had 3 sens before. Iv also had a delhezi bichir and know I have a 9 inch Ornate

 

[Gvilleguy]

Do African cichlids have more specific pH requirements? Seems like I have read that. But yes, a 40 gallon long will give you more flexibility.

 

[dbanner]

African cichlids tend to prefer a higher PH level

 

[skullknight]

You like read my mind dbanner lol. I would like to get Central American Cichlids. I want a Firemouth and Convict. Do these mix well together? How many could I get of them as an equal ratio for both breeds? Also for schooling fish I am interested in Loaches. Are Zebra the only option I could go?

 

[dbanner]

I would only go for loaches if you were to go for the dwarf cichlids. This is because dwarf cichlids are not aggressive on comparison to things like convicts.

What I would do is get 1 firemouth, a group of around 5 convicts then wait to see if a pair form out of the group. If they do I would keep the pair and rehome the rest. This is not only because a 40 gal wouldnt be big enough for 5 long term but also it would avoid problems later down the line. Convicts are considered the most aggressive cichlid pound for pound.

Then instead or loaches I'd get a small type plec like a clown plec or a bristlenose

I would only go for loaches if you were to go for the dwarf cichlids. This is because dwarf cichlids are not aggressive on comparison to things like convicts.

What I would do is get 1 firemouth, a group of around 5 convicts then wait to see if a pair form out of the group. If they do I would keep the pair and rehome the rest. This is not only because a 40 gal wouldnt be big enough for 5 long term but also it would avoid problems later down the line. Convicts are considered the most aggressive cichlid pound for pound.

Then instead or loaches I'd get a small type plec like a clown plec or a bristlenose. Take into account the bichir as well as your tank will be pretty much stocked. Just make sure you have a sand substrate, plenty of rocks for hiding places and driftwood for the plec and to divide territories... No real plants though as cichlids are likely to destroy them. All the cichlids iv had do

 

[Moby-Krib]

Do African cichlids have more specific pH requirements? Seems like I have read that. But yes, a 40 gallon long will give you more flexibility.

They do in the rift lakes yes, but most tank raised specimen you will find at a random LFS have been acclimated from birth towards neutral.
Unless you buy from a dedicated breeder or obtain a F numbered fish you need not worry too much about that..

They will however exhibit better coloration and possibly more natural behavior if kept towards the higher and harder end of things.

The general idea is footprint with Mbuna and or AULONOCARA rather than height for sure but this is not 100% with all genus.

Just thought id add that for no apparent reason as it seems the Op is after SA specimens..

 

[Gvilleguy]

That is good to know about the ph requirements, moby. I am not likely to ever try the African side fish, though, since my tap water is 6.0 pH and zero hardness! But hopefully Skull can make some good choices with all of this information.

 

[skullknight]

What should I aim for as a PH range and temperature for my Central American Cichid tank?

 

[dbanner]

Well my PH is 8.2 and iv kept oscars, Firemouths, severums, red terrors, red devil, dovii, jaguars, jewels, jack Dempsey and now I have a flowerhorn. Iv never had a single problem with any of them at that PH level.

My temp is set at 27 degrees c (80F)