29 Gallon Cichlids Tank

[Pootspete]

I am considering on getting a 29 gallon tank next month and I would like to fill it with Cichlids.

This will be my first time with these fish. I have 3 other freshwater fish tanks full of Tetras that have been up and running for over 4 years now.

I am starting now to do some research on Cichlids and thought I would ask many of you for your opinions also.

Any help would be grateful.

(1)What and how many of these beautiful fish can I put in a 29 gallon?

(2)Should I be getting a 29 gallon long or the more popular 29 gallon high tank?

(3)Depending on the type of Cichlids, I gather they can get bigger than my average Black Skirt Tetra that I have in one of my tanks now, correct?

(4)Really, what would be a good combination of Cichlids and what bottom feeders (do cories go with them??) or suckie fish go along?

(5)Is it okay to have artifical plants in the tank or live ones are better for these fish?

(6)Do Cichlids need to be in schools, or can be alone?

I am sure there are many other questions I need to ask, but as of now I do not know. I am sure some of you will enlighten me with other advice, which will be most appreciative.

Again, thank you for all who share your thoughts.

 

[N8DOGG]

I'll try to help, I have a 29 tall and I think the 29 long would be better. I would say that a small to medium cichlid would work. stuff like convicts, hondorian red points, fire mouths and fish related to these, a pair would work. shellies and other dawrf cichlids, some africians will stay under 3-4" will work. I don't think cories will work, a loach that stays under 4", yoyo loach maybe? a pleco that stays under 6-8".live plant and cichlids don't aways work, they like to dig. cichlids can be housed alone and sometimes its better. now if you get some names we can tell you if they will fit in that tank and if they will get along.

 

[Nusema]

If you want something non-aggressive, I would suggest a few Rams. These can be housed with cories and most plants to my understanding. The longer tank would be better for most cichlids except for ones like the dubosi that come from the deep area in Tangaki.

 

[montanaxvi]

I have a jewel cichlid and a tiger oscar together, neither were raised together, yet they do not pick on each other. They both manage to stay away from the rhino pl*co that is in there with them. I was told to stay away from planting the tank as they will tear it up though.

 

[snakeskinner]

pootspete, it's really an open ended question with a large variance in answers. It really depends on what kind of cichlids you like and for what reasons. If you just want a lot of color and want something that won't take a whole lot of work, some malawi cichlids like mbuna would probably work well and aren't all that demanding except for a few with their diets. Getting a breeding pair/trio would probably be a better choice for a 29 and open the choices up quite a bit. A good part of cichlids don't care for any other types of tankmates, including catfish or "suckie fish". Some others are very demanding on their water conditions and environment. Most of the south american dwarf cichlids fall into this category like rams and apistogrammas. I personally have a 29 gallon "high" that has fake plants and gravel with a pair of jewel cichlids (hemichromis guttatus). Jewels can be found fairly regularly and for a reasonable price. The hardest part with jewels is finding a compatible pair that don't kill eachother. We bought a pair out of the same tank and the female killed the male within an hour. 2 more males from the same tank and one was killed within an hour but the other was accepted and we've had 3 batches of fry since then. They are an extremely beautiful fish but they are extremely aggressive and fairly shy. they don't like you coming around their tank but will get used to you enough if you don't bother them a lot. Another popular fish would be the Kribs, you could house a pair or maybe two in a 29 and they will also breed. they are not too overly aggressive and you could keep some fast moving ditherfish like some type of tetras or danio's that won't stay around the bottom too much. Whether to go tall or long, planted or fake really depends on the fish and where they spend most of their time. Another neat fish to fill a 30 would be brichardi from lake tanganyika. they are a rock dweller and breed like mad but again, aggressive and not too friendly to any other fish unless they have a large tank. These are of course my personal views and will vary from person to person. My best suggestion is to go check out what's available to you and do some research. there's nothing more frustrating than researching and making a decision about a fish only to find out you can't find any to purchase. cichlids vary tremendously on size, character and demands but they are one of the most rewarding fish to keep in my opinion. Kyle

 

[Sonic Tooth]

What would be considered the dimensions of a long 29 gallon tank and a tall one?

 

[Aussie_hippie_2]

I have a 29 traditional with 2 bolivian rams, an angel and 5 neons. As you might imagine the neons are slowly dissapearing.

 

[gomezladdams]

Id go with the longer tank.
as to the fish some of the smaller julies,if you have hard alkaline water.
rams if the waters softer.

If youre talking malawi mbuna,do yourself a favor and start with a 55g.
thats the best choice imo