Recommended Tank Size

[Andrew G]

I've had good success with my last Cichlid tank for the office and want to set up another for the home. (I currently have a 20gal community at home).
The issue is one of space. I don't have enough room for a 55gal tank. What is the minimum size requirement for the African Cichlids? Also, what tank shapes work best given the space restrictions? (I'm assuming that longer tanks are better). What sizes are available?

 

[Druchii]

hi mate, glad you are considering your options good man

i would say minimum size would be about 30-35 gallons as a species tank for say a colony of saulosi or one of the smaller afras or labs, maybe even dare i say it a demasoni tank (not for the faint of heart thou)

if your not going dwarf species then you need a 48 incher really, however it can be a taller one than normal if the foot print is a problem.

even in the mbuna malawi setup there are top middles and bottoms
Any indication at this early stage what might you want or what funds will allow ?

Hope this helps..

 

[Andrew G]

hi mate, glad you are considering your options good man

i would say minimum size would be about 30-35 gallons as a species tank for say a colony of saulosi or one of the smaller afras or labs, maybe even dare i say it a demasoni tank (not for the faint of heart thou)

if your not going dwarf species then you need a 48 incher really, however it can be a taller one than normal if the foot print is a problem.

even in the mbuna malawi setup there are top middles and bottoms
Any indication at this early stage what might you want or what funds will allow ?

Hope this helps..

Funds are no problem. The issue is space. I would love a long tank with all of the equipment under it. I'm thinking maybe a 40gal (48x13x16). I'm not sure of the species you mentioned. I would like the fish to stay relative small, and get a large number of them.

Let me know what you think.

 

[Druchii]

hi mate, glad you are considering your options good man

i would say minimum size would be about 30-35 gallons as a species tank for say a colony of saulosi or one of the smaller afras or labs, maybe even dare i say it a demasoni tank (not for the faint of heart thou)

if your not going dwarf species then you need a 48 incher really, however it can be a taller one than normal if the foot print is a problem.

even in the mbuna malawi setup there are top middles and bottoms
Any indication at this early stage what might you want or what funds will allow ?

Hope this helps..

Funds are no problem. The issue is space. I would love a long tank with all of the equipment under it. I'm thinking maybe a 40gal (48x13x16). I'm not sure of the species you mentioned. I would like the fish to stay relative small, and get a large number of them.

Let me know what you think.

that sounds a perfect tank to house a small collection of malawis in....

have you got any particular interest in any type of malawi??

if so - get it down on paper and we can see what we can do to help

 

[fishfishfish]

if u want alot of them and u want them to be small,than id look into tanganyika cichlids

 

[Andrew G]

that sounds a perfect tank to house a small collection of malawis in....

have you got any particular interest in any type of malawi??

if so - get it down on paper and we can see what we can do to help

No particular type, just want a very colorful selection. Yellows, oranges, blues.....Almost marine-like in their color intensity if that's possible.

 

[Tattoodfishfan]

then your best bet is the Cynotilapia afra group.



cruise around here, keep in mind adult size and aggression when picking thru afras



http/www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/category.php?cat=2

 

[adambrum]

Got to agree with the afras great fish also zebra long pelvics stall small and are really peaceful i have 3 males in mine with no real trouble (2 going free to good home).