Should I mate Cichlids?

[Jakezori]

I have a 22 gallon (long) tank and I'm debating whether to keep one large cichlid in it or 2+ dwarf cichlids in it (in order to mate)



opinions



(also, do you think it would be ok to put in an african clawed from and a pleco in it with the one big cichlid and/or with the dwarf cichlids?)

[Nolapete]

20 gallons is too small or any "large" cichlid. 55+ is recommended and 40 is the bare minimum. Any of the dwarf cichlids will do fine in a 20 though. Instead of going with rams like everyone else, go with Apistogramma borelli or Laetacara curviceps. Both are great cichlids. I believe Mgamer2000 has some A. borelli for sale.

If you get a pleco, get a bristlenose or some other one that stays small. DO NOT get a common pleco. They grow quite large and very much beyond a 20 gallon. Some that i gave a friend for his 2600 gallon tank are nearing 20" or maybe more.

Clawed frogs I'll leave up to other's opinions as I haven't had the smaller versions.

[Jakezori]

thanks... i would like a larger pleco however =p if it gets to big i will move it to my 29 gallon, and if it gets bigger still i will move it to a bigger tank. what is a pretty medium sized pleco?
the african clawed frog would be about 3 inched-5 inches

[Coler]

Medium sized pleco - maybe a bristlenose. I completely agree with Nola on your cichlid options.

[Jakezori]

how about a Thomasi Pleco... they are beautiful

[Coler]

Yep good choice too.

[Jakezori]

ok now i think i have my 20 gallon figured out, but i still need to figure out my 29.
I plan on putting in 2 gouramis and 2 cichlids.... i want them to be absolutably beautiful. any suggestions (they will be with 2 loaches(wheather/yoyo and clown), a catfish, a shark (ranbow or bala), and maybe a frog(african clawed))

[Coler]

Hmmm...need to rethink some of that. I think its too small for a shark, especially a a bala (check out their adult size...google them even). Likewise adult size clown loach, and also loaches like being in groups.

Cichlids in a 29...a couple of rams, kribs or a trio of apistogramma species would be best, and I don't think the gourami would go well with them. Consider the cichlid option with a school (maybe 8) of small tetras (cardinals/neons) or harlequins. I think you could have 4 kuhlis or something like that but check in the bottom dweller forum. That probably wouldn't leave you with a catfish option.

Alternative bottom dwellers - 5 or 6 corydoras. Very nice little fish.

[Jakezori]

yikes =p.... well i think im still going to give this a try, but we shall see =p... if they fight i will move them to a different tank

[Pittbull]

If the common pleco is going to be an must than go out and buy a 55gal, as for the African clawed frog check on them before you buy it fish and wildlife just made them illegal in certain states so you would want to check that out in your state, they made them illegal for a reason due to aggression and invasive species..

I have had them before and pretty much great at eating your smaller fish and great at beating the crap out of others they can not swallow..

[Nolapete]

There are plenty medium-sized plecos out there. Don't subject a common pleco to a tank smaller than 75 gallons.

[Coler]

yikes =p.... well i think im still going to give this a try, but we shall see =p... if they fight i will move them to a different tank

Ok if you have a plan B for the cichlids and gourami.

But forget about the Bala Sharks (they go a foot and a half adult) or clown loaches (much slower growing but also getting on for a foot long and more importantly prefer groups so again biiiiig tank required).

[Debra Mark]

Our common plecos are all over 24"....I would go with the advice of Irish and go for a bristlenose and/or corys...you can still have some excenllent looking fish that won't outgrow their environment. Ditto with the clown loaches - 3+ in a school, not enough room for them in a 29 gallon.