Can I grow it in that size tank?

[Madou]

Hello,

After reading and seeing so much pictures about cichlas, I decided to get myself one to join my community 180g.

My question at hand is: Can one grow in a 8 gal?

Now don't get me wrong, I don't plan on letting it in there more than a month, the only reason being I have 4-5" oscar/JDs and a 7-8" Arowana that will probably have their say in letting such a minuscule creature enter unharmed. The Kelberi I found is 2", I don't think there is even a doubt in him getting munched on or at the very least bullied if I don't let him grow at least bigger than the Aro's mouth...

So basically the real question is: Can a 2" Kelberi grow to 3-4" in a 8 gal, and how long will it take?

If it is possible, is it better with low or heavy flow? The tank is so ridiculously small that the pump can create such a heavy flow being on max.

My other option is to house him in a 25 gal, but with fully grown Channa Bleheris (That don't seem to want to give me a pair, though some fighting seem to start showing, so it may soon be time to rehouse 4 of them if I'm lucky!)...

What would be the best? At risk with monsters in a 180, at risk with wannabe miniature monsters in a 25 for a month or alone in a 8 for as long as it takes to have him grow big enough to not fit an aro's mouth?

Thank you

PS: Why do I always make such long posts for such simple questions?

 

[Joao M]

I don´t keep Cichla so you should wait untill other chime in

Anyway:

If you have c. bleheri in the 25g it is out of the question at this time of year because the bleheri are in the cooling period and the tank should be around 15º-18º C (60-65 F). Too cold for cichla

In the 180 an as you say the aro will eat it

So that leaves the 8 g. From what I read (not experienced as mentioned above), kelberi can grow around 1"/month so... I son´t think the 8g is not feasible.

So if you can´t get another tank, perhaps your best option is to divide the 180g with eggcrate and grow the cichla separated (but in the same tank) from the other fish

 

[Madou]

Hello, thanks for the reply, whether you are sure of yourself or not, it does help

I did not think of a divider, and while I don't know where to find one, it does appear to be something I'll need sooner or later...

It doesn't need to stay long in the 8g, though, as my new wild oscar is 3-4" and is doing just fine, with no aggression whatsoever.
So I do think a month would be enough to grow him a size that won't interest my other ones.

I am not willing to risk my fishes' happiness, so if that was to be a no, it'll remain a no.

 

[Quo Vadis]

Keep in minds Oscars grow fast, so if you want the cichla to outgrow the O you had better crank the temp for the Cichla, feed it like crazy, and change lots and lots of water. The 8g may work to get him to 4in (make sure he is long enough since they aren't deep bodied and it is amazing what Os can get in their mouths). But... I'd look on Craigslist for a 20-40g tank for cheap. Doesn't have to be nice, just hold water. Plus it be good to have on hand with those bigger fish as a hospital/grow out/quarantine tank.

 

[gangster]

Keep up on your wc's and its do-able. I kept 4 orino's in a 10g for a month or two to do the same thing. Think wc's every other day of around 20% or so.

 

[Madou]

My oscars seem to only swallow as big as a jumbo carnistick, I honestly hope my cichla won't arrive that small!

I'm only really worried about the bullying from the JDs and the Aro.

I guess I'll see what size it comes in as, if it's big enough, perhaps a divider for a couple weeks or maybe it won't even be an issue at all...

As for buying a 20ish gal, I used to have one, but since it cracked open in the middle of the night, and my bedroom is the only place where I can fit it, I'm a little iffy on that... Might replace it eventually, but not right now!

Thanks for the replies everyone, and I think the better option remains a divider, so I might put him in the 8g for a week at most, time to find myself a divider for the 180.
It is insane how much you guys get to find online in the US compared to Belgium

 

[Madou]

Good news, the small cichla didn't arrive today, and I instead found a 4" one that would be pretty alright in my current setup, and will arive wednesday

I still need a divider for next time I come across this kind of issue :O

 

[shelbybmc]

I kept two kelberi in a 10 gallon for too long haha, maybe 3 months. I changed water like daily until they could move with the big boys. Its doable just take care of that tank!