Cichlids in a 55g tank?

[x3ro]

Wife and I are trying to decide what FW fish to go with once our tank is cycled..

We really like the cichlid family of fishes, but I need some more info...

My tank is a 55g that's 30" wide, 18" deep, and 25" tall..

Are there any suitable cichlids for this kind of tank?? Any stocking ideas???

[DeputyChiefJR]

I like mbuna or haps.

[Jakezori]

breeding rams would be great.... you could get some assorted african cichlids as long as they dont get bigger than about 8". Get a book on fw fish!


Have fun with the tank! :thm:

[severum mama]

Your tank doesn't have a great footprint for African cichlids, IMO, with the exception of Tanganyikan shell dwellers. Mbuna, for example, are extremely active and need space to claim territories.

You'd be much better off sticking with SA dwarf cichlids, like rams or apistogramma, or some of the smaller non-dwarf species, like keyholes or festivum. Angels are also cichlids and generally do fine with dwarf cichlids.

[blue2fyre]

I agree

I have mbuna in a 4' ,55 gallon tank and they are all over the place. I can't imagine keeping them in anything smaller. I think rams with some community fish in a planted tank make a stunning display :)

[Bnoble]

they will be fine, 75g or up would be better! good luck