44 Gallon Pentagon

[blackbimmer1972]

I have a 44 gal pentagon tank (24 tall, 22 long, 22 wide). My interest is breeding some form of cichlid in it, along with a "support cast" of cories, otos and maybe a dwarf pleco, among an environment of anubias plants (mainly b/c of their low-light requirements - the hood only gives me space for 2 strip lights big enough for one 15-watt bulb each).

My thoughts were either angelfish or one of the dwarf cichlid varieties. From research I've done, I know that I could put 6 angels in and (very likely?) get a pair, and I'd probably then jettison the odd ones out and just run the one pair, assuming the aforementioned "support cast" wouldn't be much trouble to keep, community-wise. I live in a small condo (this is the "biggest" tank I could fit in my place), and unfortunately a separate breeding tank is out of the question, at least for now. I know convicts are easy to breed and have considered those, but I didn't know if that would be the best option for me.

So is something along these lines workable? With only 22" across the gravel, I don't know if I even have enough surface space to run such a tank successfully. Obviously, this is one of the many custom-sized tanks now on the market, and there just aren't many archetypes out there for "pentagons." So I'm trying to plan carefully, but with this tank being outside the normal range for cichlids and with nothing to really compare it to, I'm still having to make this up as I go along. :)

Any and all thoughts pertaining to my ambition (or insanity) are appreciated. Thanks.

- Chris

[boomerjr91]

you could try angels or some kind of rams (Bolivians are easier than Germans.) you can get cories and probably a couple of bristlenosed plecos. good luck!

[blackbimmer1972]

Thanks boomer, that's about what I was thinking but wanted to make sure. So here's a follow-up question, if you happen to know - does the idea of 6 juvenelle specimens usually leading to at least one pair apply generally to all cichlids and not just angelfish? Thanks again for your comments, and for everyone else's to come.

- Chris

[Nolapete]

Pentagon? That's a new one for me. I wasn't aware of any tanks other than hexagon in that layout.

[Rbishop]

I wouldn't recommend angels for that tank.

[boomerjr91]

usually 6 specimens will give you at least 1 pair with cichlids.

[blackbimmer1972]

Pentagon? That's a new one for me. I wasn't aware of any tanks other than hexagon in that layout.

Yes, like I say it's definitely something you don't find all the time.

http://www.elmersaquarium.com/h109masterkit44pentagon.htm

And again, since it's not a common tank, there's just not a lot of information on its long-term potential for housing specific kinds of fish. So I feel like I'm kind of testing its limits.

[rosita]

I've got a pentagon on stand I found on craigslist. It's definitely different, and takes planning to get the right fish in there, especially cichlids. I tried 4 of my second generation male peacocks, but just not enough running room. It's empty now, waiting for some great idea to strike!!!!

[jm1212]

i woudlnt go with angels either. dwarf cihclids like apistos or rams are your best bet. perhaps even keyholes, firemouths, or convicts.

[boomerjr91]

I don't think keyholes, convicts and firemouths would work though with his crew of cories. I was thinking about it and I guess angels wouldn't work with his pentagon tank would they? I was thinking a normal tank. Sry:(

[Akysten]

Angels would work well in that tank... I don't like tanks of that size, fish like to swim lengthways, not up and down. However, angel fish aren't active swimmers and are so 'tall' that they actually work well in a tank like that.

You could probably do a Blue Ram in the tank, a Pleco(something that stays small like a rubbernose or bristlenode) and maybe a trio of cories.