Complete cichlid newbie seeking advice

[laruem2000]

Hi all,

I currently operate a 20 gall planted community tank but I'm setting up a 10 gallon. I wanted something that might appeal more to my husband so thought I might try a pair of dwarf cichlids. I took him to an LFS to see what kind of fish he was interested in...he picked baby red hump geophagus. After a bit on the internet it is obvious that that won't work! So I'm back to the drawing board. I'd like a pair or individual that will be happy in a 10 gall with plants and three pencil fish and who wouldn't mind munching shrimp every once in a while. Ideas?????

 

[LunchBox]

a pair of blue rams might fit in a 10g. they stay nice and small.

I've seen a few other species that stay pretty small, but not quite small enough for a 10g. bolivian rams are on the smaller side, at about 3.5-4". Pseudocrenilabrus nicholsi stays relatively small as well (about 3 inches from what I've been told), but again, might not be quite small enough for a 10g.

 

[liv2padl]

nicholsi would be better off in 20 gallons. rams are definitely not a beginner fish and not a fish for a 'new' tank. Rams need soft (to medium hard) water of low pH (5-6 is ideal) and water in at least the low eighties F., preferably the mid to upper eighties F., particularly if you're trying to breed them. Metabolites are also an issue with keeping, breeding this fish. little to no detectable nitrate is ideal, and of course no ammonia or nitrite.

 

[LunchBox]

thanks for the clarification Liv I was pretty sure the nicholsi were still a little too big for a 10g, so I'm glad you said something especially since we were just talking about those a little while ago and I hadn't heard of them before that! :duh:

I wasn't sure if laruem was familiar with the rams or not, as I wouldn't recommend them to a beginner either, but it sounded like they knew what they were doing so I assumed they had some experience.

anyway, good luck with the search laruem!

 

[laruem2000]

I'm not familiar with rams, cichlids or other more "difficult" fish. However, I do know enough to know that I need to know more which is why I am here asking for help.

I have been more focused on the planted tank aspect of the hobby lately although I did just raise up pencilfish fry from an unanticipated breeding in my QT. Now that I have moved all the fry into my main tank I am setting up the 10 gallon. It will not be "new" by the time that whatever species I decide on goes in because it is currently set up and running with plants and shrimp and soon to have a few pencilfish.

But I do not know the specific requirements for rams or other options although I do own plenty of test kits. My kH is generally around 3 and have no trouble keeping lower pH levels. I do weekly water changes, etc. I am mainly concerned about the size of the tank.

now that I've defended my qualifications for being a ram owner, I'm not entirely sure that they are what I want. Would anybody recommend specific apisto spp. or D. filamentosa or other?