Cichlids for 20g L?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Bolivian rams, german blue rams, butterfly rams :)
 
yeah rams are really pretty too but from what iv read people have a really hard time with them, do they require any kind of extra special care?
 
yeah i thought 4-5in would be fine since the tank's width (12in i think) would be double their length and the length (30in) would be 3x their combined length, i thought at 4-5in that would be perfect size for just a breeding pair. you dont think so?
 
I agree with dogofwar, I'd go with a dwarf species like curviceps or apistos or blue rams. Even the midsized cichlids can have troubles in a 20 long, especially when the male is ready to breed and the female isn't. Unless you want to have a divider handy, I've lost females in 20 longs with convicts and other similiar sized fish. Now I only keep 3" or smaller fish in 20 longs, unless they are super mild. In fact, there are some dwarves I still wouldn't keep in a 20 long due to their aggressive nature.
 
oh ok thanks yeah i dont really have experience with the small cichlids so i was going by the guidelines i would for a larger one so thought they would do well in it, i guess i will look into those others suggested

would having lots of plants and tall deco to break sights make a difference?
 
dwarfpike is right - it would be OK until the male wants to breed and the female's not ready. I too have pushed the limits with pairs of mid-sized CAs in 20Ls...and lost females to aggression.

I keep pairs of mid-sized CAs in 2'x2'x1' tanks. Still need to divide them from time to time...

Matt
 
ok guys thanks for your advice i def wouldnt want to lose one because of something i could have avoided, i really like the apistos as well would they do ok? any advice on them and do they do well with plants?
 
I believe that sajicas are similar to convicts as far as breeding goes. I have been wanting a nice pair myself. As far as apistos, I would highly suggest Apistogramma Hongsloi. I have a male (I lost my female a few months ago) and he is my favorite fish in my planted tank. He's very peaceful, so you could also mix in some tetras and cories. I have been looking for new female for him for 6 months now with no luck.
 
hey kt thanks for the suggestion those are a great looking fish will def have to look into whether my lfs has them or can at least order them :) that sucks about your female, are they extremely hard to find?

hmmm the cockatoo ones are very pretty as well but im reading that the males get 3.5-4in while the females stay at 2in so would these guys be too big? also says can be kept in pairs or as a harem so if i went with them should i do 2 females to spread the aggression around and have separate territory for each female? also says they are the most common of the apistos so maybe they would be little easier to find than hongsloi?
 
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