dwarf cichlid question

[onebyone]

I'm attempting to set up a 15 gallon blackwater-like tank with 8ish neon tetras. I want a larger fish that is okay with soft, acidic water but won't be violent towards the tetras. I was considering a betta, but I know they can be aggressive in certain situations and I don't want to risk anything.

I was reading about dwarf cichlids, because they get along well with shoaling species like neons, but I have read that a lot of people have problems with them. Can you keep a single dwarf cichlid? I read that you should have at least a 20 gallon tank if you're keeping a pair, but I only want one (which is another reason I was considering a betta). Does anyone have any other stocking suggestions? This would be in addition to the neons and probably a small "golden catfish" from my LFS as well to control algae since I can't find anywhere that sells small plecos...

 

[zzyzx85]

Don't buy the golden catfish.I t's probably a chinese algae eater and those won't stay small and will eventually stress the fish in your tank to death. If you've got a planted tank, try looking for otocinclus, (otos for short). They stay pretty small, no bigger than 2 in. in length. if not planted, you might have to keep the algae away the old fashioned way with an algae scrubber.

I believe you can get away with a single dwarf cichlid but you won't see the interesting behavior you get with a pair.

15G is space for more than 8-ish neons. If it were me, I'd probably get around 15 neons.

 

[onebyone]

Thanks for the advice! I was just looking up pictures of otos and I think that the "golden catfish" might really have been a golden oto. I'll definitely look into it when I go back this weekend Would a single cory cat be okay or do they prefer company?

 

[tanker]

With a 15 gal you can up the neons to about 10-12 and still add one of the dwarf cichlids.

Any of the Apistos, a GBR, or even a Checker Cichlid.

 

[msjinkzd]

I would go with apistos, you might even be able to get away with a pair to go with the neons as they inhabit mainly the bottom 1/3.