africans for a 5 gallon

[tyler]

are there any africans that i can put in a 5 gallon? my girlfriend wants a tank of her own, and she likes africans because of their brights colors. thank you.

[Kit Walker]

The only african I can think of which is small enough are the shell dwellers of Lake Tang. They rarely exceed a few centimetres but have the distinct cichlid look. They belong to the Neolamprologus genus thus preferring alkakine water (a mixed fine gravel with crushed shell is suitable substrate. A few to name are the Ocellated shell dweller, Lamprolus multifasciatus and N. signatus.
They are not as brightly coloured as many Lake Malawi cichlids, but are still beautiful cichlids. There is now a blue ocellated shell dweller. If you decide to keep them you will need suitable empty shells, as it is regarded as cruel to keep shellies without them.

[Ledslnger]

I agree. Only shellies would work in that small a tank. I like all three of the shell dwellers mentioned above.