So my 16 y/o Daughter wants cichlids...

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BurgosRL

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Dec 28, 2010
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Canton, GA
My 16 y/o daughter wants to set up a cichlid tank. She has a 20 gal long tank in her room that I just filled with water. The filter is running and the water has been treated. I told her that we will have to wait a couple of days before we can add any fish. I am planning on moving two neon tetras and a gold fish in there to cycle the tank. Of course, if cichlids go in there, they will have to come out.

I have never had cichlids so please advice...
 
Its good you are properly cycling the tank, a lot of younger people get impatient and skip that process and wonder why their fish die. I think a lot depends on what kind of cichlids. With a tank that size you would have to go with African and not south American because in general they get much bigger and require much more space. Cichlids need good water conditions and plenty of hiding spots. That's about all I can say without specific fish in mind. Good Luck!
 
taelee;4843083; said:
Apistogrammas? They prefer very soft water and acidic pH levels. I would say they aren't for the inexperinced.
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I kept my Orange Flash Apisto in semi-hard water with a higer ph and he FLOURISHED! I believe they are a hardy species and will adapt to most water conditions if not too extreme, but just need constant water parameters. I believe Bolivian Rams would be cool for her and are alot less aggressive than Apistos and could be kept with tankmates. I saw a full grown Firemouth at my LFS and I feel like a 20g long would be kinda small for it. He was a hefty fella too. I think she might like a 2-3 Bolivian Rams with schools of cories, tetras, and cherry shrimp!
 
Convicts are nice... but does she want like to stare at one type of fish?

Community tanks always give you that option to observe and learn about more species of fish...i.e. neons, barbs etc

Ask her and see if she wants a community tank...those are fun for kids :D

However, IF you are going to upgrade or already have your mind set on a tank, you could get like a baby South American Cichlid like a Jack Dempsey :p and later upgrade :P (But I think ppl advise to have the BIGGER tank first) Good luck!
 
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