What Cichlids For A 90L Tank?

[njstockley]

Hi

I posted a more general thread on another page yesterday, but wanted to get some more specific advice off the Cichlid forum. I'm setting up a 90L (23 US Gallon) tank, measuring 30"x10"x18" and want to give it a South American theme.

For the bottom I'm going to get a BN Plec, then a shoal of (likely bleeding heart or cardinal) tetra and some hatchet fish for the middle and top, but I want the centrepiece to be South American Cichlids.

I've been looking mostly at Bolivian Rams, and Dwarf Cockatoo Cichlids (or any colourful and appropriate alternatives that you could think of...) but have a couple of questions. Some sites I have seen suggest a dark substrate, but would light coloured sand be ok for them? And how many would be right for the size of tank - I've got confused by some of what I have read - would a pair be advisable, or should I be looking at getting one male, and two females? And finally, would they be ok with the BN Plec at the bottom?

Thanks in advance, and sorry for yet another stocking question...I bet you guys must get bored of them, but I promise I did search thoroughly for an answer before I posted!

Nick

 

[ChilliPepper]

Hi

I posted a more general thread on another page yesterday, but wanted to get some more specific advice off the Cichlid forum. I'm setting up a 90L (23 US Gallon) tank, measuring 30"x10"x18" and want to give it a South American theme.

For the bottom I'm going to get a BN Plec, then a shoal of (likely bleeding heart or cardinal) tetra and some hatchet fish for the middle and top, but I want the centrepiece to be South American Cichlids.

I've been looking mostly at Bolivian Rams, and Dwarf Cockatoo Cichlids (or any colourful and appropriate alternatives that you could think of...) but have a couple of questions. Some sites I have seen suggest a dark substrate, but would light coloured sand be ok for them? And how many would be right for the size of tank - I've got confused by some of what I have read - would a pair be advisable, or should I be looking at getting one male, and two females? And finally, would they be ok with the BN Plec at the bottom?

Thanks in advance, and sorry for yet another stocking question...I bet you guys must get bored of them, but I promise I did search thoroughly for an answer before I posted!

Nick

Rams and/or Apistos are a good choice for a 90L.

Light or dark substrate is fine. Some people suggest dark as it makes their colours stand out more. I tend to agree with this, but a planted tank can also bring their colours out regardless of the colour of the substrate. I have tried both light and dark sand and fish were happy with both.

You could try for a pair of Bolivian Rams. I have had/have four Bolivs and all have been male. Been trying to find a female but hard to sex when young. Two males can get on, not the end of the world. Though make sure you have some caves (slate, coconut) and cover for them to each have a territory.
Apistos are easy to sex. I have a single male as my female died (poorly stock), he's fine on his own. Or you can get a harem of 1m, 2f Apistos.
My Rams and Apisto get on well in my 190L tank.

Bare in mind though that both are a primarily mid/bottom dwelling fish, so don't overcrowd the bottom with others.

You could also have a school of Tetras or similar for the top.

FYI both Bolivian Rams and Apistos are fine on their own, if you just wanted one of each.

A BN would be fine as well.

 

[jacko32]

if your going for the apistogramma genus you need 1 male and 2 or more females to make up a hareem if you go for the cockatoo you will be alright with light substrate as these are clearwater aswell as blackwater species you just need to provide plenty of plants and caves for them other apistogramma to consider would be agassizi another easy to keep cichlid very good for people new to dwarf cichlids as they are easy to source and care for.

 

[njstockley]

thats great advice thanks guys. when the tank is fully cycled i will trawl some of the north london shops and see what is available...as well as checking the forum of course!

i definitely dont want to crowd the bottom of the tank, so figured with the BN on the bottom, the cichlids would then take lower middle, the tetra the middle and slightly above, then hatchetfish right on top. and i love the idea of building some caves and hides for them.

 

[jacko32]

thats great advice thanks guys. when the tank is fully cycled i will trawl some of the north london shops and see what is available...as well as checking the forum of course!

i definitely dont want to crowd the bottom of the tank, so figured with the BN on the bottom, the cichlids would then take lower middle, the tetra the middle and slightly above, then hatchetfish right on top. and i love the idea of building some caves and hides for them.

you could also look into a smaller plec than a BN you could look into hypancistrus and peckolitia species some only grow to around 4" like L260 and L134

 

[Flagtail]

Rams and Apistos are cool.
Have you ever thought of Festiums?? Rotkiel severums?

 

[jacko32]

Rams and Apistos are cool.
Have you ever thought of Festiums?? Rotkiel severums?

tanks only 90lts so too small for festi or sevs!

 

[Carlovel1]

Dwarf Flag Acara?

 

[Flagtail]

Rams and Apistos are cool.
Have you ever thought of Festiums?? Rotkiel severums?

tanks only 90lts so too small for festi or sevs!

90 lts is 90 gallons right?? Sorry, I'm a silly American.
Festiums grow up to 5-6''.

 

[jacko32]

Rams and Apistos are cool.
Have you ever thought of Festiums?? Rotkiel severums?

tanks only 90lts so too small for festi or sevs!

90 lts is 90 gallons right?? Sorry, I'm a silly American.
Festiums grow up to 5-6''.

no mate 4.5lts = 1 imperial gallon
so 90lts = 20 imperial gallons

i think the tanks about 30"x12"x12" at a geuss

 

[njstockley]

@flagtail, sadly 90 litres is a bit short of 90 gallons, so im only looking to get 2/3 of one dwarf species. picked the tank up last night and it measures 30x10x18. needs a bit of a clean but otherwse cant wait to start scaping it!

any tips for hard algae removal?

nick

 

[markyeldham]

Get in there with one of those scourer things!

 

[njstockley]

sponge type right? as the stainless steel ones would scratch the glass wouldnt they?

 

[LilyRose Tank]

I use the green scourers without the sponge on one side, simply coz you can easily cut them, and use them in separate tank.
good luck,

 

[njstockley]

I use the green scourers without the sponge on one side, simply coz you can easily cut them, and use them in separate tank.
good luck,

thats what i went for in the end thanks lilyrose. took a long time to clean all the algae, limescale etc out of the tank, and the hood, but its now looking pristine. going to pick up some sand this weekend, but will have to hold off filling the tank until my flat move happens! its going to be tough though as im pretty impatient!

also gives me time to work out my filter - fluval u3 - cant quite decide where i want it placed, and what setting etc im going to need. should it be placed near to the heater? and what flow setting would be best for the mix of BN plecs, Cichlids, tetra, and hatchetfish? i got the whole setup 2nd hand, so have no instructions for it!

nick