20 gal long?

[Brett]

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

[liv2padl]

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.

[~*LuvMyKribs*~]

I agree....


It would be great to dive into clownfish but I think your friend should first learn the basics of fishkeeping with some freshwater fish. Saltwater can be tricky ;) But is definately something to look forward to. :D

-Diana

[Brett]

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!

[Brett]

How about Neolamprologus brichardi? Would it be suitable for a 20L?

[liv2padl]

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.

[mooman]

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?

[Brett]

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?

[~*LuvMyKribs*~]

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

[Brett]

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.

[mooman]

A small juli species (ornatus or transcriptus) would work great and wouldn't preclude the addition of a shellie species.

[wwildcats04]

I think a pair of julidochromis would do fine in a 20g tank with a group of multis. they both inhabit different areas of the tank. I would not go with lelupi unless you want to have that be the only species in the tank because I have heard that they become pretty aggressive and are fry nabbers of shell dwellers and that they actually go into the shells to fetch them. If you went with the julis like moo said stick with transcriptus or ornatus the others simply grow to large. Deffinetly stay clear of brichardi they get to large and IMO suck because that is the only thing you could put in your tank (im talking if its large enought for them in the first place) because they get super aggresive when young is present

[Brett]

Thanks for all the help guys. Sorry I haven't had time to reply sooner.

The good news is my friend is taking a very serious approach to this, and is committed to doing this the right way. I've given him several fish books, including a very good saltwater book (so he can see for himself the extra care involved). He's open to suggestions and is in no rush to just toss some fish in. He wants to first learn as much as possible. If only more fish keepers were that way.

The bad news is his tank is not a 20 long, its just a regular ol 24" x 12" x 16"?
Oh well, now what? We'll see, maybe after doing some of his own research he'll try to come up with bigger tank.

On the other side of the spectrum I have another, and much younger, and more eager friend (14) who just received a 29g from his grandmother. I suggested that a pair of convicts or perhaps firemouths would be a good first cichlid/real fish experience. He prefers the firemouth, I just wanted to see if you agree/disagree that a pair would be suitable for a 29g?

[UncaBret]

The bad news is his tank is not a 20 long, its just a regular ol 24" x 12" x 16"?
Oh well, now what? We'll see, maybe after doing some of his own research he'll try to come up with bigger tank.
If he's not dead set on cichlids howza bouts a few gourami?