10 gallon cichlids

[Wooten_PE]

My Blue Ram and other fish just succombed to a desease or parasite. I noticed the infestation yesterday, and went to Wally World to buy Melafix to treat the tank. By around 2o am, all but a neon tetra had died.

I plan to clean out the 10 gallon tank and sterilize all the decorations.

Are there any CA cichlids that can be kept in a 10 gallon aquarium? I was thinking of getting either a Rainbow of Convict. If anybody thinks this is a good Idea, let me know and suggest a tank mate or two.

 

[danepatrick]

rainbow cichlids are pretty chill little guys and can grow pretty quick depending on how much you feed them. i don't know if i would keep them in a 10 gallon as they get 6". IMO pairs are best, so that would obviously be accounting for 12" of fish in a 10 gallon tank. not cool IMO. here's a little more information about them: http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=91
the convicts.. ehhh. well i think most people know that convicts are nasty little boogers and can have been even known to bully larger oscars. they also reach 6" so the same rule applies for tank size. here's information about them: http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=132
i would probably go with some dawrf cichlids like the rams that you had, or you could even try bolivian rams http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=420 or maybe even some type of apistogramma!
GOOD LUCK!

 

[SinisterKisses]

10gals is unfortunately, a little on the small side for full grown Cons or Rainbows. Dan had a good suggestion with the Apistos though...I recently bought two different species of Apistos for my mixed SA tank, and they're awesome little fish! Very lively and personable, and very interesting to watch. Not to mention cute

 

[Wooten_PE]

Thank you both. I was thinking that the tank was too small for those species. It is always good to have confirmation.

How long would I have before upgrading the tank, if a 1/2" to 1" convict or rainbow was housed in the 10 gallon? I have kept convicts before, but I can't recall how fast they grow.

 

[danepatrick]

Thank you both. I was thinking that the tank was too small for those species. It is always good to have confirmation.

How long would I have before upgrading the tank, if a 1/2" to 1" convict or rainbow was housed in the 10 gallon? I have kept convicts before, but I can't recall how fast they grow.

well if you're talking about just keeping one in there, i'd say about 4-5". leave him some swimming room. that's what you really have to account for because the rest is taken up by decor. so if you have say 3 plants in there or so, he might only have 7 or 8 gallons of swimming room rather than 10. i think you get the picture though. do the right thing and upgrade!