Smallest, Easiest Cichlids?

[Andeekaii]

Hey guys,
I've never kept cichlids of any kind so i wondered if you guys could answer a few questions for me..

- What are the smalliest, easiest to keep cichlids - and what size tank is the minimum they could be kept comfortably in

- What changes, if any, have to be made to the water - It's just a community tank at the moment (platies etc)

- Any other suggestions of colourful, unusual fish that will be happy in a small tank (preferably on its own, or in a pair)

- What is the difference between african and new world cichlids?

Thanks, Andy

 

[Loony Fish]

angel fish are cichlids...
they are easy and would do well in about a 20 gallon for a while.
blue rams are the same, only they are harder to care for.

 

[england]

what are the tank dimentions mate?

 

[Andeekaii]

Pretty small, thats the trouble
Its the tank in my sig, 70L - 15.5 Gallon

I was thinking maybe i could keep them until they outgrow it and then move them into my parents tank which is bigger, about 25-30G

I just want something with a bit of personality, even if its only for 6 months or so.

I was looking at blue rams, and golden rams. Would they be okay in a community tank of 15G for a while?

Oh and the dimensions are 24x12x15

 

[england]

Apistogramma cacatuoides
Apistogramma bitaeniata
Apistogramma agassizii




Tanganyikan Shell Dwellers

 

[Andeekaii]

Thanks man!
Those shell dwellers, i like the look of - How easy are they to find in fishstores, and how big are they gonna grow, will i have to rehome them in the future? and do they need any special water conditions, that differ to a normal community setup?

 

[england]

not sure with them fully,,, google there names, and see what it says, ive never kept them, smallest i kept was kribs/keyholes

 

[Sheilaf]

Most shellies stay small. Multies are the smallest I don't think they get much bigger than 1.5". A small colony would be fine in a 15g. The need shells, and lots of them. Sand is better than gravel since they like to dig and move things around. They also prefer their water to be on the harder side but I think they do ok in most water as long as conditions are stable. I personally have never had multies, but I had brevis. They get a little bigger, and from what I've heard are a bit less shy than multies. They were like little bulldogs. Tough little fish, constantly moving the shells (which were bigger than they were) around. Neat little fish!

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

Apistogramma cacatuoides
Apistogramma bitaeniata
Apistogramma agassizii




Tanganyikan Shell Dwellers

Not sure how well Tanganyikans would do with Platies. Aren't they pretty agressive?


Personally, in a 15 gallon, I would go for some Ram. Bolivian are a little hardier then German.

 

[K-Holed]

I'd second apistos. I'm still trying to get my apisto tank up and running ... well, it's only been 3 years or so in the making.

 

[Davo86]

whats the current stocking of the tank? or will you be moving your existing fish out before you add the cichlids?

 

[Andeekaii]

The current stocking is in my signature, but when i come to add the cichlids it will probably only house the 3 gourami (theyre pretty small) and possibly a few platies.

Are rams and 'aspito's' easy to find at fish stores?

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

The current stocking is in my signature, but when i come to add the cichlids it will probably only house the 3 gourami (theyre pretty small) and possibly a few platies.

Are rams and 'aspito's' easy to find at fish stores?

In my area Rams are definitely easier to find then apisto sp. but, I have seen them before.

 

[Aphotic Phoenix]

Just a few things that I didn't see mentioned:

Shell dwellers are African, and the major differences between African and American cichlids are:
(not true in all cases but generally
SA cichlids prefer low pH, Africans prefer higher PH
SA cichlids lay their eggs on a surface, while many Africans are mouthbrooders
Africans generally aren't considered plant or community friendly

Those aren't hard and fast rules, and I'm sure people can point out plenty of exceptions, but that's the general difference.