Cichlids for small tanks?

[fermentedhiker]

A 20 gallon would be good for a small colony of shellies . African butterfly cichlid would be another option but their coloration is subdued.

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[Star_Rider]

10 IMO is a bit small for rams but it can be done. have good structure /cover. they do love driftwood and plants.
I prefer 20 long for my Rams, I keep Bolivian as well as 2 of the color morphs of the Ramirezi(often referred to as the Blue) I have both Blue and Gold rams.
the Ramirezi is the smaller of the 2 ram species..tho I have a blue in with my discus that is actually quite large.(sorry my picture taking skills leave much to be desired)
their attitude can vary a bit but many of my rams will swim up to the glass when they think it's feeding time.

 

[elliriyanna]

I have LOTS of plants I can put in there and I love Driftwood anyway.

 

[elliriyanna]

I do have a betta sorority that ramshorn snails are taking over ... If I could put a german blue in there that would be fine ... or anything that would eat the dang ramshorn

 

[Star_Rider]

loach is too big for the tank. try the ram and you can capture the ramshorn with bait(think lettuce leaf ) then pull the leaf

 

[elliriyanna]

well I also keep mystery snails and I want to keep some of the ramshorn so the lettuce leaf would be more trouble than its worth

 

[elliriyanna]

try the ram in the 20 gallon with the bettas or in the 10?

 

[Captain Jim]

Rams in the twenty would be best..too many bettas for ten gallon?

 

[elliriyanna]

Yes plus they are living with shrimp, snails, and julii cories ... way too much for a 10 gallon.

I could always add the ram to the 20 and if it gets to be a problem move him to a spare 10 gallon

 

[Captain Jim]

I've got to say it..sounds like time to shop for the best deal you can find on a nice used 55. Put a nice trio of rams in there with a few extra shrimp and see if shrimp can take hold, in amongst good coverage java moss, driftwood, rocks for rams.