What Could I Do?

[sharpshark]

Hi,
I am interested in using a currently empty 35g (45g US) tank that is cycling to house some chichilids, I have a nice community tank, but want to try something a bit different.

The tanks dimensions are 48"L x 12" W x 18"H or for you metrics 120cm L x 30cm W x 45cm H

There is currently some silver sand in there and not alot else.

What could I have (please don't tell me nothing as I will be v.dissapointed!!!)?

I like the look of bolivian rams, convicts and Jack Demseys (though after looking through I don't think the tank is big enough for a JD).

The thing is nealry everyone seems to have a different opinion as to what is okay, what is not.

SO any help is apppreciated!!

Thanks guys

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

Rams could def. go into that tank, im not sure about JD and convicts as I don't know anything about them. You have alot of options with cichlids with this tank! id say a good rule for this tank is no fish bigger then 7inches (correct me if im wrong). you could do well what id do:
2 angels
2 German Blue Rams
1 Jellybean Parrot Cichlid

and maybe a nice rare pleco

 

[-=Joel=-]

Are you wanting a pair, community or a single fish ?

You could keep any of your 3 fish but not together Lol.

rams could make a good community fish
convicts I wouldnt waste a tank of this size of them.
jd could be a pair or single

lots of options for you

Joel

 

[sharpshark]

Would probably choose a single or pair of larger fish, just for a change, though wouldn't mind being able to have a large plec or such like.

If i chose jd's. would I have to remove the sand?? Just cos the tank is cycling, and it would be a pain to restart, also could I have ANY other fish with a pair of JD'S? like a large plec or sumthing?

 

[vancouver]

If you have a pair of any larger cichlids like convicts or jack dempseys, you cant really keep tankmates with them.. they will most likely kill anything else you put in there when/if they spawn..

 

[-=Joel=-]

A pair of JDs would be nice.

If you buy 6 small ones to begin with hopefully you will get a pair out of the group.

Other cichlids could be,

Green Terror
Discus
T-Bar
Fire Mouth
Severum
Texas
Salvini

Plus loads more....


Again with the above buy 6 of them and hope for a pair.

All of the above go no bigger than 10inches on average.

What ever you do DO NOT mix the above fish. You will have world war three on your hands in your tank Lol.

Have fun

Joel

 

[jayjay]

I wouldn't put a GT in that size tank. A 48x18x18 is minimum for one IMO. The others may work. Though with discus you'd want a group more than a pair to begin with.

 

[sharpshark]

If you buy 6 small ones to begin with hopefully you will get a pair out of the group.

Where you say six small ones to start with, i presume you have to get rid of four eventually? So will LFS buy them back usually?

Thanks for your help with this, I wanna make sure i get it right.

 

[jayjay]

Ask your LFS if they will take them abck before you buy them remember or you could have a problem. Yes though, most good LFS will take them back.

 

[sharpshark]

Thanks, last one (i think )

If I go the JD route are they okay in sand, or should it be gravel?

 

[vancouver]

They should be fine in either..

If you do decide to buy 6 and raise them up, but sure your lfs will take them back.. I know someone else already said this, but you don't want to be stuck with 6 JDs in that tank.

 

[sharpshark]

Thanks guys for your help, I will now to a tour de LFS 2morrow just been paid (woohoo) I am sure they will help me spend my money.

Thanks again.