Attempting the Near Impossible...

[mmm..algae]

Hi everybody,

I am 14 years old and I have kept a 30 gallon tropical freshwater tank for 2 years now. I've had great success with it and now I'd really like to try cichlids. The problem is, I only have enough money and space for a 10 gallon. So, my question is: what type of African Cichlids can be kept in there? I'd really like something colorful, active, and with a personality. I'm not too hooked on shell dwellers because I have the impression that they aren't too colorful and they will simply hide in their shells when you come close to the tank. Prove me wrong if I am :D. Now, I am a newbie to the world of cichlids, so please just take my own thoughts lightly. I was thinking about electric yellow cichlids or a pair of lemon cichlids (neolamprologus leleupi).

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[~*LuvMyKribs*~]

Its great you want to try cichlids, they are wonderful fish, and especially Africans! BUT- shelldwellers are the only africans you could keep in the 10 gallon. Its just much too small for cichlids.

Malawi cichlids (such as Yellow Labs) need a tank larger than 30 gallons since they grow up to and over 4". Most Malawis will reach that size.

Tangynikan shelldwellers would be perfect for the tank. I have a pair in my 10 gallon, and while they are not EXTREMELY active, they are cute personalities and always move around from shell to shell (and sometimes even move the shells!). You can get some that are quite pretty. I started out with 5 N. ocellatus, and the dominant male killed off all but one of his females, so i suggest only getting a pair, MAYBE 1 male 2 females, for that tank. Make to sure have sand, rocks, and shells... and have the pH around 8.2 (can be accomplished by adding crushed shell to the sand).
Some common shelldwellers are:
Neolamprologus ocellatus
Neolamprologus brevis
Neolamprologus multifasciatus

I'm not exactly sure if the pair of leleupi will work, since they can be aggressive and are larger, i've never kept them. But i think they really should have a larger tank, about 20 gallons.

Hope that helps
-Diana

[mooman]

Colorful fish are great, but it's the range of behaviors that you will see in the cichlids that will hook you for life. Since you're on a budget I guess Apistogrammas are out (keep them in mind for the future.)

I know the N occellatus shellie is kind of colorful. With the small tank I would recommend N. multifasciatus. I'm looking into getting some myself. They are'nt very colorful, but they stay so small you could keep 4 or 5 of them in a 10 gallon. I've heard they're quite active and fun to watch.

I would also suggest saving a little more money and try to buy a 20g long. When you crunch the numbers it's not that much more expensive, and it would allow you to pick from a much wider range of species. Try to find some stuff on sale or used to save money

Good Luck and welcome to the club.