cichild species

[DarrylR]

Out of all the cichild species which ones are small and some can live in a 5.5 gallon tank. I doubt many, but I haven't really kept any, ALSO a main factor would be that the certain species can be found in Petsmart. I have no LFS in my area. The 5.5 gallon tank will also be heavily stocked with caves as well as my CO2 system. Also I would prefer certain species that doesn't eat plants, if they all do that is fine as well I can sacrifice my plants :).

Any suggestions?

[Lupin]

I woulnd't recommend keeping any cichlids even dwarf cichlids in a 5.5 gallons at all. 10 gallons would be the absolute minimum.

[Mgamer20o0]

i agree maybe apistos in a 10 gal.

[Nolapete]

10 gallon minimum for adult apisto pairs. Juvenile cichlids can be grown out in a 10, but not for long.

[jpappy789]

shellies can also be in a 10, but nothing less than that or itll be too cramped.

[MightyWarMonger]

yeah most Cichlids species grow to a minnimum of 4-5 inches and some get up to 15-20 and thats included in the ones you can buy in petsmart & petco and so on. just because there sold from a small tank does not nessaserily mean they should be in that sise tank. and all depending on room availible you can get 55gal setups for around 100 or even less if you buy a used one. With Cichlids if the tank is to small when the fish start to row and feal crowded you will have aggresion problems and in alot of casses death. at $10 and up per fish it will get expensive to lose fish because there in two small a tank.

[Rbishop]

I wouldn't recommend any cichlid for a 5 gal tank.

[Reddog80p]

Petsmart don't sell Dwarves anyway. Good excuse to get a new 55 :)

[Brian Bivens]

If you have room for a 5.5, you probably have four more inches for the 10 gallon... I would save up, get the 10 and then save your five gallon for a hospital tank if you ever need it... The cool thing is, you should be able to get a ten gallon with a glass top for under 20 bucks, then just use your filter, light and co2 from the 5.5. It should be fine.

Petsmart isn't in the business of keeping a large variety of cichlids. they keep a bunch of fish that get over a foot long, but few cichlids that are small, if any...

[BadDogsPa]

Get a 20 long,its small but has some swimming room

[Star_Rider]

Petsmart don't sell Dwarves anyway. Good excuse to get a new 55 :)


I picked up my Bolivian rams from Petsmart and they were only $1 ea.

but I agree.. get larger tank. ;)

[elementkid65]

yea to me now my 50 gal is tiny