View Full Version : cichlid tankmates
phanizzle
06-29-2007, 12:50 AM
so what can cichlids get along with? im planning to get malawian cichlids.
would they get along with freshwater sharks? or its best to keep the cichlids with each other rather then mix? how many would fit in a 20gal?
jpappy789
06-29-2007, 1:01 AM
I'm not an expert on stocking but with many malawi cichlids I think a 20 gal. is enough for maybe one pair of larger species and maybe a few different for smaller ones. But definitely not enough room for sharks, plus too much aggression in one tank. Don't take my word for it though.
phanizzle
06-29-2007, 1:49 AM
what would be good for my 20gal long tank? i dont really want plants but then i dont want really small fishes. and i didnt think cichlids would be that big for my tank i thought it would be fine.
x0x0x0
06-29-2007, 1:57 AM
what kind of 20 gallon tank do you have? is it tall or is it long? long would probably better especially if it's mbuna you're looking at. With a 20 gallon, i think one trio of dwarf mbuna would be ok, but that's all you could put. (esp in the case of demasonis, due to their aggressiveness) and when you do pick an mbuna provide lots of caves and shelters. the bala shark would not be a good idea.
or
you could always try getting lake tanganyika cichlids, especially shell dwellers. You could fit them more comfortably in a 20 gallon.
phanizzle
06-29-2007, 3:26 AM
thanks yeah its a 20gal long is there anything else i can put in the 20gal long? it doesnt have to be a cichlid just want a nice community tank that will last long an have color and movement to it.
Ruben Tolon
06-29-2007, 12:43 PM
a 20 gallon won't be enough for most Malawi cichlids, and definitely won't allow space for any of the myriad of freshwater "sharks". I agree with the previous post about the shelldwellers. There are other numerous Tanganyikans you might be able to keep as a pair in a 20 gallon tank.
jm1212
06-29-2007, 3:17 PM
a 20 gallon long is to small for africans with the exception of shell dwellers.
what type of shark do you have?
mostlycichlids
06-29-2007, 4:56 PM
The answer is None! 20g is too small for any malawi cichlids. As jm1212 states shell dwellers or such would work in a 20g. Sharks and cichlids should not be mixed either. You could have a pair of Bolivian Rams or a pair of apistos or possibly a krib or two.