New Tank Suggestions

[FanOFish]

I am getting a 20 gal. long tank and would like to set up a cichlid tank with sand and rock formations.

Can anyone recommend a few types of cichlids that would be good for this small of a tank? I'm not really picky whether they are African or New World and would also like to know what other fish, if any can be added with these cichlids.

Thanks

 

[smb]

Shell Dwellers from Lake Tanganyika come to mind.

 

[FanOFish]

Thanks SMB, I guess I will research shell dwellers to see if any species are better suited for a 20gal. than others.

I may also just go with some of the different rams instead.

Thanks again

 

[thecichlidaddict]

20 gallon is fairly limited, but you have some options.

For shelldwellers there is lots of room. You can do a colony of 6 to 8 Neolamprologus Multifasciatus, or Similis. You can also do a harem of any other shell dweller.

Shell dwellers don't need th rocks though, they just need sand and shells.

You can do some Tanganyikan rock dwellers as well, such as Julidochromis, Neo. Caudopunctatus or Leleupi, Brichardi, as well as Altolamprologus Compressiceps 'Dwarf'.

If you go with the rock dwllers then you can have no more then one pair in the tank, they are very territorial. To fill up some of that empty space you can get a few smaller dither fish, like Danios, smaller Rainbows, or if you really want to get authentic go with a few paracyprichromis, a truely unique type of cichlid native to Tanganyika as well.


Then, of course, are all of your options for dwarf riverine species - Rams, Kribs, Apistogramma will all work.

 

[FanOFish]

Thanks, I already did a bit of research from you website which is quite well done I might add.

I like the idea of having more than a couple fish so I'm leaning towards some of the dwarfs. Perhaps a couple pair and then maybe some other tropicals for the tank...any suggestions as to what other fish would work.

I might also try a pair of rock dwellers and just use some other fish to fill the tank as you suggested. Can you recommend a nice colorful species?

Thanks again

 

[OscarCichlid]

Pl*cos will go with cichlids, so could larger scavenger catfish. If you decide on rams you could also put some types of gouramis with them .

 

[Auratus]

In my 26 gallon show, which is a little more than three feet long I have my rams with gourami. The gourami stay at the top and the german blues stay at the bottom. It would be better if I had the regular 2:1 female male ratio thing but I don't. There is never fighting or aggression between gourami and rams but there is aggression between my male rams. They didn't turn out to be girls like I wanted them too. . I also have otos too. Rams get along with a lot of fish!!!!

 

[thecichlidaddict]

Thanks for the compliment on my site

The thing with Tanganyikan fish is that they are not colorful, and for this reason certainly not for everyone. They do display some of the most unique and interesting breeding and hunting behavior of any fresh water fish in the world. For this reason they tend to be kept by avid hobbiests, and not as much ins 'show' tanks. Despite the lack of color they also have unique body shapes and stunning markings.

This is one of my favourates

These guys are very cool. The dwarf variety will go in that tank no problem, but they grow so darn slowly that even larger varieties can work for a long time. They are predators by nature, but they are lazy, laying in the rocks and waiting for fish to approach, and won't eat fish that are any larger then can comfortably fit in it's mouth.



All in all though, I think the dwarf riverine fish are better for the average aquarist.

 

[joshua]

wow seems cool, will keep them in mind next time i get a tank. from their mouth, i suppose they are carnivorous?

 

[thecichlidaddict]

Oh yes. They are very compressed in shape (extremely tall and thin), hence the name compressiceps, and they hide in narrow crevices in rocks and wait for unsuspecting fish to swimm by and than wack!, lunch time. I enjoy keeping predetors, even if tankmate choices are limited, they're very cool.