Small Peaceful Cichlid?

[Hunterprey]

Hey just wondering which small peaceful cichlid can go in my tank?
I was reading about apistogramma, Bolivian Ram and German Blue Ram. They look nice.
Will they be fine with my redtail shark 50g?
Or could they go with my male Betta tank instead 20g?
Is there any other small peaceful cichlid that u can recommend?
Thnx in advance.

 

[snowflake311]

Yes they should be fine. As long as your shark is not really aggressive.

Keyholes rainbow cichlids are not too big. There are many small acaras that would work.

 

[Hunterprey]

My RTBS is still juvenile, around 2 inches.
Are you talking about the Blue Acara? I read they get to like 8 inches, is there one smaller?
Im just worried about my swordtails, I was planning to transfer my swordtails to my 35g just in case my RTBS turns very agressive, keyhole looks nice too, how big do they grow? Thnx.

 

[Bebobb]

There are many options that you could go for. If you have fish that could handle the agression, Kribs might be a choice. I would try and dissuade you from putting German Blue Rams in with community fish, and the rams need a higher tempature than most community fish do. A Bolivian ram is better suited for the community tank. Apistogramma would be fine too. There are many different species and varieties avaible in the dwarf cichlid trade.

And on the hand of acaras. Wills seems to have a good ammount of knowledge on dwarf acaras. So wait till he sees this thread, and you should get a good ammount of information on dwarf acaras.

 

[snowflake311]

Yes there are dwarf acaras. The smiling acara, And dwarf flag. They are in the Laet(acara) family.

The checkerboard cichlid is small and peacful. Some of the festivus stay small 6". Yes the bolviana ram would be better they are hardy and funny little fish. I have 2 and just love them. They live with a keyhole and get along great. The blue acara rarely gets bigger the 6" but yes males can get to be 8".

 

[Bebobb]

What are all of the inhabitants of your 50 gallon? There might be other options rather than dwarf cichlids that could fit in your 50 gallon.

And on the not of the 20 gallon. I would move the male betta, and put a pair of kribs in there. Oh how I love kribs.

EDIT: Had to fix some spelling.

 

[Wills]

As snow said there are a lot of good dwarf acaras. It depends on where you live as to which dwarfs you will find. Krobia, Laetacara, Nannacara all good dwarf acaras. Bolivian Rams, Apistogrammas all work well in comm tanks.

 

[Glenbo1981]

Be careful of the Shark with the Dwarf Cichlids.

Which type of Shark do you have?

Red Tail Black Shark or a Rainbow Shark?

Rainbows have red fins and tail, whereas RTBS have just red tails and are far more aggressive.

 

[Hunterprey]

Thnx for all the responses
it's my first Cichlid.
I got the German Ram instead, would that be OK? Will it be ok by itself?
He/she is in the 50g with swordtails, RTBS, Leopard Syno, Midnight Catfish, Half Banded Spiny Eel
The German Ram is the smallest(1 inch) there right now, Im thinking of transfering to my 35g w/ female Bettas, mollies, cories N guppies, would that be better? Seems pretty shy in my 50g can u tell if its male or female? (sorry 4d bad pic)

 

[Wills]

Only problem with german rams is that they generally need higher temperatures, closer to discus temps. Where as other fish in your tank need lower trop temps, but that said he looks great

 

[Hunterprey]

Thnx Wills my tank has always been at 80degrees, strong filtration (2X Marineland 280) and airstone for months. I can't really read the minds of my fish but they seem very active and not pale so maybe I can just keep the temperature that way, is that high enough for the German Ram?

 

[snowflake311]

It looks good not stressed in that photo. It will be ok as an only fish but if you get a Mate you will see it's ture personality come
out more.

Females tend to have a solid black dot males have some blue specks in the dot. The fins are longer on males and the first 3 dorsal fin rays will be long on the males where female don't stick out as much. Females also get a pink belly when ready to spawn. So if yours ever gets a pink belly it is most likely a females.

 

[Hunterprey]

Thnx Snow, will prolly follow ur advice n get a mate to see it's true personality. After I figure out if its a male/female. Im just afraid it might get too agressive w/ other fish once they start breeding.

 

[snowflake311]

Thnx Snow, will prolly follow ur advice n get a mate to see it's true personality. After I figure out if its a male/female. Im just afraid it might get too agressive w/ other fish once they start breeding.

Rams are all bark with little to no bite. They are not really aggressive just defesive. When other fish go near the nest site they will chace the off that's all. Most fish are fine with that and learn to stay away. Good luck with it.

 

[Truck]

I'm sorry to have to tell you this but the ram will be short lived unless you can provide the right conditions:

temperature 30oC
PH 5-6
GH 0-12dGH