View Full Version : New Cichlid Tank ?
I hopefully will be setting up my first cichlid tank.
Each type of fish has a minimum gallon tank requirement.
My question(s) is the length of the tank equally important as the amount of gallons it holds. For example is a 30 gallon that is 36" long not as good as a 37 gallon that is only 30" long but taller/deeper.
or does it depend on the type of fish.
thanks for any help you can offer
krytan
01-08-2009, 1:23 PM
Longer is usually better (it gives more room for the fish to establish their territory's), what sort of cichlids were you looking at keeping?
CritterManiac
01-08-2009, 1:30 PM
"Longer is usually better (it gives more room for the fish to establish their territory's), what sort of cichlids were you looking at keeping? "
i totally agree with that.
CritterManiac
01-08-2009, 1:32 PM
I think the the longer the better.
Not sure as to what type. I am leaning toward dwarf cichlids as I am limited in the size of the tank I can get. If you have any suggestions as to fish that would be good in a 50 gallon I would appreciate it.
Is there a website or book that you (as experienced cichlid owners) would use as a reference knowing it was accurate information? I have seen some contradicting opinions inregards to tank sizes, compatability etc...
Again, thanks for any info.
JB
krytan
01-08-2009, 2:19 PM
50g is a good size tank, you could have a pair of firemouths, festivums, keyholes, convicts, acaras, rams or apistos (not all in the same tank though).
If you wanted a single fish in the tank you could look at something a bit bigger like a JD or GT.
Pittbull
01-09-2009, 12:21 AM
A longer foot print on an aquarium will always be the best bet if you are thinking dwarf cichlids in a small footprint setup you will only be able to do a pair fish in a longer footprint you could get by with 2 pairs..
Plus decorate accordingly to provide retreats from aggression usually out of site means out of mind for the most part..
For cichlids, longer is always better, subject to making sure that the tank is tall enough in case of e.g. Angels if that is what you are stocking.
50 is a nice size tank and you have a ton of options - as given already above.
I would tempt you towards africans if you are that way inclined at all - come into the rift lake forum and you will get a ton of help (or any of the others obviously...but africans are cool :D))
edit : and welcome to the site :)
ChrisK
01-10-2009, 6:53 PM
Longer is better
Fishfiles1
01-14-2009, 1:56 PM
longer is better, sevrums, firemouths, jack demspys, blue acruas, theres lots
dent20
01-14-2009, 10:19 PM
You can also go with Africans, but I assume since you're posting in this forum you already want New World cichlids.
Kennedy327
01-14-2009, 10:40 PM
As said above longer is better, but you also want depth also. for turning room of a longer fish. Like a 55g is long enough for one oscar but really at full grown he wont have much room to turn so a 75g is a better option for that.
Im stocking a 55g with 1 Jd. If I wasnt so stuck on a big fish, I would probably go with africans, I had some before and they are really cool fish with almost as much color diversity as an ocean fish. I will eventually run a african tank also.