View Full Version : 6 gallon tank...too small for cichlids?
A2B-Civic
02-26-2006, 2:54 PM
I am starting a new 6 gallon tank, I've been thinking of getting cichlids, I am guess probably going to get 3 max (hope all to be about the same size). Am I in for trouble since these fishes are pretty terrortial? There is one at the local aquarium for $20 and its blk with white spots (quite cool looking) and then I figure I am going to get 2 more...less $$ ones....
I am going to get a few plants as well and places for them to hid as well..
fish_breeder_05
02-26-2006, 3:29 PM
the only chiclid capible of living in a 6gal is the shelldweller
Cathy G
02-26-2006, 3:35 PM
Most dwarf cichlids require upwards of 20 gallons. You'd be better off spending the extra $ and getting at least a 10 gallon and no more than 2 tiny ones which will not be bigger than 2-3 inches when they are full grown!
Cathy G
p.s. Look around for used tanks - they come cheap! You can get great deals on tanks and hoods if you hunt for them.
The only cichlid I would recommend for a 6 gallon tank would be a pair of lamprologus "Brevis" shellies.
They get about 3 inches....BUT....they only wander about 6 inches in any given direction from thier shell. They have a very small territory and a 6 would be just fine for them......no more than one male and one female though....
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y82/morroman/emgfishpics/DCP_6671.jpg
kay-bee
02-26-2006, 5:35 PM
By chance was the cichlid you saw one of these: (click on the first photo)
http://www.aquariacentral.com/species/db.cgi?db=fresh&uid=default&ID=0353&view_records=1
Definately require a larger tank than 6-gal (I'd go with a 75-gal for this particular species).
If the fish in the first photo is what you saw (Tropheus duboisi) just be aware that that is the juvenile coloration scheme (color pattern changes as they mature). Also be aware of the adult size of the fish. While some pair up, most african cichlids thrive in groups (6+), and are territorial by nature. Kept in lower numbers may lead to aggression issues.
Yeah, ditch any other cichlid you've been considering for that 6 gallon...with the exception of the "Brevis"....2 of those can do very well in a 6 with no problems...of course, you'd have to find other homes for any fry they may put out for you.....
To have two brevis in a 6 they would have to be one male and one female, not two males or two females... The males are larger than the females, and if you find any brevis at an lfs...pick the largest one and the smallest one in the tank. That way you'd have the best chance of getting a pair.
A2B-Civic
02-26-2006, 9:40 PM
[QUOTE]By chance was the cichlid you saw one of these: (click on the first photo)
http://www.aquariacentral.com/species/db.cgi?db=fresh&uid=default&ID=0353&view_records=1
QUOTE]
I am not sure if that is the one I saw, its the closest I've seen. The place only had 1 and it was only about an inch in size! As for the fish shops I've been to locally, I haven't had much luck getting names of them. In most cases, its "african cichlids" $5.99...hahaha..that is as much info was presented.
Thanks for the suggestions emg
I'll try my best to see i can find any lamprologus "Brevis" shellies.....I'll be doing my fish hunt this coming weekend. The picture helps too!!
Cheers!!!
fishdude92
02-26-2006, 9:53 PM
where can u find those "shell dwellers"?
sumthin fishy
02-26-2006, 9:56 PM
In most cases, its "african cichlids" $5.99...hahaha..that is as much info was presented.
They might as well lable it
"umm? Fish, yeah thats it....I think they are freshwater. How about like $6"
mooman
02-27-2006, 8:35 AM
A single male of one of the smaller Apistogramma species can be maintianed in 6g with say 2-3 whiteclouds. A. trifasciata or A. borelii would work, but if all you have is lfs with "assorted africans" the chances of finding Apistos are slim and none. Find a small privately owned lfs that specializes in fish only if you can.
Brevis is a good choice if you want a pair. I also think multis would work, but some might dissgree on that.
I suppose one pair of multies might do ok in a 6, but they'll quickly overpopulate it....lol !
In my exprience...the brevis didnt' mass produce as quickly as my multies did.
HolyBull
02-28-2006, 4:12 PM
My friend has kept a male Honduran Red Point in an Eclipse 6 for a while now along with 2 albino corys.
From a 1 inch fry to what is now 6 inches.
~*LuvMyKribs*~
02-28-2006, 5:09 PM
My friend has kept a male Honduran Red Point in an Eclipse 6 for a while now along with 2 albino corys.
From a 1 inch fry to what is now 6 inches.
6 Inches in a 6 gallon tank? :eek: :thud: :(
HolyBull
02-28-2006, 5:41 PM
6 Inches in a 6 gallon tank? :eek: :thud: :(
I was amazed that it actually grew.
I should pick up a 10 gallon for him.
A2B-Civic
02-28-2006, 11:21 PM
I have an Eclipse 6 too.
I went to another shop today, I saw some cichlids by the name of lamprologus C something or S something... (I didn't have a pen) or did I write lamprologus "Brevis" shellies....as I was just going to check out that shop to see what they had.. I am going to go back tomorrow..... if it is....then I am going to be one happy man. minus the fact they are $24 each?! :sad:
mooman
03-01-2006, 8:05 AM
Lamprologus ocellatus?
Lamprologus compressiceps?
Lamprologus callipterus
Lamprologus caudopunctatus
Lamprologus calliurus
Lamprologus signatus
Here, check this out
http://www.shelldwellers.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=b5e622d9223dc63dabc9283b6e93de d9&board=3.0
Some are doable in a six gallon, others are most definetally not.
Yes the multis will spawn, but once the area becomes to cramped they either stop spawning or eat the babies before the next spawn occurs. You could keep a pair and four or five babies untill they get bigger, then just remove the shells with the babies in them. Trade them in for free fish food or something. They're just so much more interesting to watch than any of the other shelldwellers.
I agree with Moo on the interest value of the multis.....I had a trio of brevis which I had traded in for the stappersi I now have...because the brevis were just....well.....DULL ! LOL...all they did was hang around next to thier shell...in fact...the female spent about 98% of her time IN the shell ! She only came out to eat. Though, they are a VERY pretty fish and splay thier fins often in display.
24$ is ALOT to spend on a shellie...! I payed 7$ each for mine !
A2B-Civic
03-01-2006, 8:13 PM
**Update!!**
Good news. I found my fish.
I found another store that has the Lamp. Brevis. For $5 dollars! :clap:
I managed to get...............................1 Betta!
Just because my tank hasn't been cycled yet.
I am going to add some water conditioners and wait a couple of weeks, then the Betta is going straight into a bowl.
Its sooo hard stocking a 6 gallon tank...seems like all I can fit much in it...so, after 2 brevis.....what else can I throw in there and maintain peace?
mooman
03-02-2006, 7:16 AM
That's it. you're looking at 5-6in of fish if you get a full grown pair. In a tank that small the whole tank will be the territory (even with brevis). Anything else in the tank will get beat on. Good luck. Remeber to make the substrate sand (black or a mix of black and white will look much better than white alone)
Sorry, cannot keep cichlids in a six-gallon.
Stick with the betta only.
mooman
03-02-2006, 8:01 AM
Sorry, cannot keep cichlids in a six-gallon.
Stick with the betta only.
Sorry, but you can. Please do some research on dwarf cichlids before making blanket statements like that. Professional breeders of Dwarf cichlids routinely keep and breed pairs in 5 1/2 gallon tanks. I wouldn't reccomend this (since violence can erupt suddenly and without warning when spawning occurs), but a single male can certainly be maintained in a well landscaped 6g. And then there's the shellies.....................
Sorry, but you can. Please do some research on dwarf cichlids before making blanket statements like that. Professional breeders of Dwarf cichlids routinely keep and breed pairs in 5 1/2 gallon tanks. I wouldn't reccomend this (since violence can erupt suddenly and without warning when spawning occurs), but a single male can certainly be maintained in a well landscaped 6g. And then there's the shellies.....................I did do some research. The fish he wants to keep grow to 2.5 inches.
How would you like to be locked up in a closet for life without a mate based on the reasoning that as long as you're fed and your waste is removed, you can live. Surviving isn't the same as thriving, my friend.
Somebody in this thread already said it best... shellies should be kept in a minimum of 20 gallons.
mooman
03-02-2006, 10:58 AM
Brevis have the smallest territories of any cichlid. It's literally a circle around thier shell about 6 inces in diameter. Once they bury thier shells they hardly ever leave this territory.
As for the "being locked in a closet" comment, I see from your other posts that you have kept African Cichlids and saltwater fish in large tanks. Some of these fish have HUGE territories. Some I'm sure range over several square miles of reef or lake. How is putting a male apisto in a tank 1/5th the size of his natural territrory any worse than putting a Hap in a 180g tank? We all keep fish in areas MUCH smaller than what they would typically inhabit in nature. In this case (Brevis in a 6g) you would actually be giving the fish exactly the space it would occupy in nature.
What is your definition of thriving? I would think attaining adult size and coloration, breeding, raising young, and displaying natural behaviors would be considered thriving. A pair of brevis would be able to do ALL these in a 6g tank.
Please don't take this post the wrong way. I'm not trying to be confrontational. Apporpriate tank size and stocking density is something that i'm sure no two hobbiests will ever 100% agree on.
~*LuvMyKribs*~
03-02-2006, 12:59 PM
I agree with Moo, keeping shellies (particular species) in a 6-gallon tank is okay not because of the size of the fish, but thier lifestyle. Give them more space and they still wont move around once they find thier spot. They will stick to thier shell and guard it relentlessly.
Granted, this is the BARE MINIMUM tank size for these fish and undoubtedly bigger is better, but it doesn't mean it cant be done and the fish cant live "happily".
Omega, have you ever kept shellies and witnessed thier behaviour first hand?
-Diana
I understand that they keep close to their shell, but what about having such a small amount of water circulating? Seems too unstable and small to maintain really clean, hard, alkaline water. Also, in my reading I've noticed they can sometimes venture or even relocate. How about we meet in the middle... say 10-15 gallons? I'll concede that knowledgeable hobbyists can do it in 6 gallons though. I just don't understand why it's encouraged to anybody who asks.
I had a trio of brevis in Half a 10gallon tank...temporary quarters while I was waiting for a 15 to put the multis in, who were using the "Other" side of this 10....anyway............
The female was acually "IN" the shell about 98% of the time....only came out to eat. I have read other's who keep these fish and notice the same behavior...females actually living in their shell. The males sit just outside the shell at all times....only moving far enough to grab the nearest flake that drifts thier way.
A 6 seems more than addequate for these fish, as long as you have a good filter and do regular routine maintenance.