View Full Version : 27 Hex Tank - Any fish suggestions?
JazzyB
10-23-2003, 8:54 PM
This is probably crowding the tank but I was thinking of 2 convicts and a 3 juvenile silver dollars and then moving the silver dollars when they out grew the tank. What do you think? Or if anyone has any great suggestions for this now empty tank --- fire away!
peifc
10-23-2003, 11:34 PM
Your silver dollars very likly will get killed.
JazzyB
10-23-2003, 11:41 PM
So do you have any suggestions for the tank?
peifc
10-23-2003, 11:47 PM
Are you looking for aggressive cichlids?
What's the ph level?
JazzyB
10-23-2003, 11:56 PM
Not particularly looking for aggressive cichlids. The tank is around 27-29 gallon hex. so there's limited room. I'm partial to silver dollars however they'd probably out grow this tank plus there's not much swimming space. BTW, the tank is completey empty at the moment so it needs to be built bottom up (substrate, have to cycle, etc.)
Good question about the pH. I'll ask the lfs that's 5-minute drive away. I used to keep tanks in Austria but I just moved back to Canada so this is my first start-up and I've yet to test the local water. The pH must be fine (neutral) for cichlids since I know quite a few people who own and breed them here.
Assuming the pH is neutral, do you have any recommendations?
peifc
10-24-2003, 12:29 AM
There are plenty, but depends on what you LFS has available.
There are a few dwarf cichlids you can try out, don't grow over 4". You can easily keep 2 females and a male...depends on what specie you get (assume you wanna breed). There are also shell dwellers you can check out.
There are a few Archocentrus species that are pretty small...not as big as their cousin, Convict.
Again, I suggest you find out the ph. Maybe I can give you more suggestion base on the ph level.
theres tons of dwarf cichlids that have all the color and attitude of their big brothers.
http://www.apistogramma.com/
theres a site that deals with the apisto family. ive gout a trio of cacatu in a planted 29 community tank and theyre doin fine.
keyholes are neat looking i think.
JazzyB
10-24-2003, 12:05 PM
Originally posted by peifc
Again, I suggest you find out the ph. Maybe I can give you more suggestion base on the ph level.
Well, I contacted the local water commission in my city and asked for the water conditions. Here's what I found:
pH: 7.3
KH: 3.1
GH: 1.1
Of course this is the water when it leaves the water plant facility. But based on these numbers what do you suggest?
chipstahoy
10-24-2003, 12:31 PM
i'm a fan of angels myself. i have a 35 g hex tank w/ angels and they look sweet. the good thing about angels and taller tanks is that angels grow up more than out--they're more of a verticle fish, so they look nice in higher aquariums (like hexes).
-chip
peifc
10-24-2003, 12:44 PM
You can go for either South American or Central American cichlids.
Is it hard to get these cichlids at your LFS? Need to know what your LFS has before you make any decision.
Since your tank is round and small, I think Dwarf Cichlids will be the best choice, if you are looking for beautiful fish. That you can keep more than 2 cichlids.
Or you can try just one Archocentrus sp. (CA), Cryptoheros sp. (CA), or Biotodoma sp. (SA). Of course, all these cichlids I mentioned, reach to 5" max if taken care of properly. Please be awared of the space in the tank. I don't know the dimension of your tank, so these are the cichlids that I can come up.
Here are 3 websites that have dwarf cichlids, they contain pictures. You might find something you like.
www.apistogramma.com
www.apisto.bravepages.com
www.geocities.com/mikefjacobs/index.html
And here is a website that contains some cichlids that I have mentioned.
http://www.cichlidae.com/gallery/default.html
I hope this help.
JazzyB
10-24-2003, 1:32 PM
Originally posted by peifc
You can go for either South American or Central American cichlids. Is it hard to get these cichlids at your LFS? Need to know what your LFS has before you make any decision. Since your tank is round and small, I think Dwarf Cichlids will be the best choice, if you are looking for beautiful fish. That you can keep more than 2 cichlids. Please be aware of the space in the tank. I don't know the dimension of your tank, so these are the cichlids that I can come up.
Unfortunately the closest LFS lists the cichlids as assorted cichlids, stupid huh! There are two other LFS' where one could order a particular fish and they'll have it brought in. I could always print color pictures of the dwarf cichlids and take them to the store. The Hex tank I have is approximately 27 Gallons. Hopefully that would give you idea of the size. 10 inch per side x 6 sides, pluse 24 inch height.
If I did go with a couple of the dwarf cichlids, could you recommend any other fish that could live comfortably with them? I had a pair of Rams when I was living in Europe. I noticed that AC mentions them as peacful but I found that they were very territorial and aggressive.
Any cichlids are territorial. Aggressive...you haven't seen one that is "aggressive". :D
I don't know where do you locate in Cananda. There is a guy that you can order fish from. He is located in Montreal...I think. Anyway, he has a lot of cool fish. You just mentioned what you are looking for, I'm sure he can obtain something for you, but of course, there will be some waiting period. Sometimes he is on the trip...to catch some fish :D
I don't know what kinds of bottom dweller are you looking for. Do they have to be algae eaters? If you are looking for top swimmer...can go for some barbs or danios.
If you do plan to get dwarf cichlids, get those cichlids swim in the middle and bottom sections. If you get cichlids that occupy only the bottom section, those cichlids will possibly pick on your bottom dweller (very rarely if you give them plenty of hiding places unless the cichlids are breeding.)
Your tank is about 15"-20" across. Yeup....dwarf cichlids are definitely best choice for you.
And here are couple websites that have some info on dwarf cichlids.
http://aquadex.info/database.htm
http://www.mongabay.com/fish/apistogramma.htm
JazzyB
10-28-2003, 1:14 PM
Hey guys/gals,
If you were planning on having Dwarf Gouramis, Ram cichlids and Corys together, which would you introduce into the tank first? The tank is fish-free at the moment.
Cory, Gouramis, then cichlids.
JazzyB
10-28-2003, 3:01 PM
Why would you introduce those fish in that manner? Just trying to understand the reasoning.
Cichlids are territorial.
What I found out with my cichlids...any new comers...they don't like unless the new comer is bigger and more aggressive.
Both Cory and Gouramis aren't as territorial as cichlids. Those need to feel comfortable before you introduce the cichlids in the tank.