Newb questions

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Feb 14, 2006
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Hi, I am wanting to start a cichlid tank....

First newb question - what are the types of cichlids that I have seen that are fairly small but very colorful, not like the large oscars or anything like that.

Second question - For these small types of cichlids, what is a good tank size - I have an extra 30 gallon long.
 
I'll answer your question going backwards...

So you have a 30 gallon tank? I am assuming that its a standard 30 that is 36 inches long by 12 inches wide. I am also assuming that since you posted this in a SA.CA cichlid section, you are not interested in africans... Truth is that with a tank of this size your options are limited. If you want something aggressive, convicts would be prime candidates (you could keep 2 in there for life). If you are after color, consider firemouths or rainbow cichlids (I would say that up to 3 of those could live in a 30G tank). If you feel comfortable getting involved with something quite sencitive and fragile yet very colorful and small to the point of being able to live a as a colony of 4-6 fish, consider any of th South America's dwarf cichlid speecies, such as Apistogrammas, nanacaras, or even german/bolivian rams
 
Stab;659015; said:
I'll answer your question going backwards...

So you have a 30 gallon tank? I am assuming that its a standard 30 that is 36 inches long by 12 inches wide. I am also assuming that since you posted this in a SA.CA cichlid section, you are not interested in africans... Truth is that with a tank of this size your options are limited. If you want something aggressive, convicts would be prime candidates (you could keep 2 in there for life). If you are after color, consider firemouths or rainbow cichlids (I would say that up to 3 of those could live in a 30G tank). If you feel comfortable getting involved with something quite sencitive and fragile yet very colorful and small to the point of being able to live a as a colony of 4-6 fish, consider any of th South America's dwarf cichlid speecies, such as Apistogrammas, nanacaras, or even german/bolivian rams
Click to expand...

I totally agree. Don't try to put africans in a 30 gal. They will outgrow it and you will have all kinds of problems with nitrates. The species Stab listed are all good choices.
 
A pair of Convicts would be great, but they won't be just the pair for long. Lotsa babies soon to come. Although not extremely colorful they are entertaining.

A planted tnak with a community of German rams would be lovely although a little more attention to up keep is needed.
 
how about a planted firemouth tank?? way more colorful than convicts and breed easy too but they have to be a bit bigger than convicts and they arent fast growers but very fun to watch
 
REDKID!!!;659854; said:
how about a planted firemouth tank?? way more colorful than convicts and breed easy too but they have to be a bit bigger than convicts and they arent fast growers but very fun to watch
Click to expand...

Exactly what I would do if I had a spare 30G tank right now!
 
Cpnvicts, almost everyone has kept them at one time or another. That's how I really got into the hobby, they were they first interesting fishes that I kept. Before that never knew that fishes can have so much personalities. My real first big tank which was a 125g was also because of Convicts, had to get it because the the colony was getting so big.


Lately I have started to like the pink convicts more than the regular ones so they might be a good choice.
 
i have they are quite fun i've never breed them tho...:( never was successful:) but i still think firemouths are better but hey just what i think
 
nice ideas. how bout some sajica or cutteri? both are better looking then cons and fm's IMO. and they stay relativly small as well. however you could only house a pair of one type. i also would like to advice maybe a pair of spinies. these are all in the con family, just not as aggressive as their cousins.

here is links to all i stated above.
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=137
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1341
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=134

i currently keep a pair of all stated. and they live peacefully in a 75gal planted. however for your 30, 1 pair of any of the specie would work fine. gl and hope this helps.
 
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