how to stock a 20 gallon tank: cichlids

[neontetraking]

Are there any types of cichlids that con go in a 20 gallon tank?

 

[Fishnerd360]

Rams, apistos, kribs, shell dwellers, checkerboards, a pair of angels if its a 20 tall to breed and nothing else, and keyholes. There’s more too.

 

[neontetraking]

okay. Are any of those common in pet stores?

 

[Fishnerd360]

Kribs and rams, are found in PetSmarts so they are common. Apistos could be found in lots of lfs. The others I don’t see that often, but lots of online places or stores that will ship might have them.

 

[neontetraking]

okay. If i do those i will probably do rams. How many could I get? And what is their averege price. Also, can I try pearl of likoma cichlids?

 

[Fishnerd360]

Bolivian rams I saw go under $6 or less, German blues around $15. I would stick to a single species of ram, and get 4 and maybe a pair will form. The pearl of likoma cichlids I would say no to, because these a african lake species so they will be aggressive, get big for a 20, and require different water compared to rams.

 

[neontetraking]

okay. thanks for the info. I think i will get bolivian rams

 

[neutrino]

Just an FIY, since you're already leaning in another direction, but fish in the genus 'pearl of likoma' come from are aggressive; they're not pairing fish, a male should typically have a harem or they can be very hard on females, even more so in a small tank. You could keep one by itself in a small tank, but you'd need a larger, busier tank to keep more than one.

 

[neontetraking]

okay

 

[Raka]

Pair of breeding Angels, find thhem on aquabid easily. Such an entering and interactive 20gal tank.