20 gal long?

Brett

AC Members
Dec 23, 2004
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Jerseyville, IL
Is a 20 long suitable for the yellow lab or electic yellow?

I'm asking on behalf of a friend who does not have internet access.

He just acquired a 20L and wants colorful fish. He was thinking of trying SW Clown Fish. I suggested (wrongly perhaps?) that he first try some Africans because they are colorful and because our tap water is extremely hard and also has a very high PH.

I personally don't have any experience with Africans yet. I am currently setting up a 20L multi tank.

Any help or other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
 
twenty gallons is much too small for African (Lake Malawi) cichlids. these species grow to 5 inches on average and should be kept in groups of 5 (1 male + 4 females). generally, 55 gallons is considered minimum for these fish.
 
liv2padl said:
twenty gallons is much too small for African (Lake Malawi) cichlids. these species grow to 5 inches on average and should be kept in groups of 5 (1 male + 4 females). generally, 55 gallons is considered minimum for these fish.

Yeah, I was afraid of that. Could you suggest some other hard water cichlids that would be suitable for a 20L. Some tangs maybe? :huh:

Diana, I checked out your website. Those are some beautiful fish tanks you have there! :thm:

Thanks for the replies!
 
How about Neolamprologus brichardi? Would it be suitable for a 20L?
 
any of the "shell dwellers" would work nicely in a twenty. not particularly "colorful" but exceptional personalities. a group of 5-6 and at least that many shells over sand substrate and you'd have a terrific tank.
 
I think a 20 long would be too small also, but i should think a 30g would be plenty big enough for a breeding group of yellow labs no? I'm not talking community mbuna tank here, I'm talking a male and 2-3 females only. Anyone?
 
mooman said:
I think a 20 long would be too small also, but i should think a 30g would be plenty big enough for a breeding group of yellow labs no? I'm not talking community mbuna tank here, I'm talking a male and 2-3 females only. Anyone?

Unfortunately I don't think a 30 is an option. Is the brichardi suitable for a 20L?
 
I would not do brichardi in a 20 gallon, they are a little on the large side IMO.

And no I wouldn't do a group of yellow labs in a 30 gallon. After seeing some LARGE (5 inches PLUS) yellow labs in my time a 30 gallon is just too small long term for them.

I think Lake Tangynikan shelldwellers would be great, they have awesome personalities and can be real mean little buggers (i could never put my hand in the tank without almost being bit by the dominant male). A decent sized colony could be kept, like 6-8 individuals.

-Diana
 
I agree, I think shellies would be great. Thats why I'm setting up a 20L multi tank for myself. But I don't know if I can lure him away from SW clowns with shell dwellers (maybe).

What about the Julidochromis or Neolamprologus leleupi?

Thanks again, this IS very helpful.
 
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