dwarf cichlids in a 20 long

gmh

gmh

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Feb 5, 2007
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I'm thinking of putting 2 or 3 dwarf cichlids in my 20G long. Currently I have 6 white cloud minnows patrolling the tank. I'd like to keep them in there if possible. I'm thinking perhaps some Borelli Apistos or Bolivians, or some other hardy, small cichlid that can tolerate hard, relatively cool water. Ideally I want 77degrees or less. PH is around 7.5.
 
I'm talking Bolivians rather than German Rams. Can't Boliviians take temps in the high 70s? Does anyone out there keep Borrelis?
 
i got bolivians, they do not i repeat do not do well in temps lower than 79, 81 is best. I tried it already, they just stopped moving and sat next to the heater, even though it was only 78 degrees. They can do well in that ph though. Its not the ph that matters that much to them, its whether or not the tap water is soft or hard
 
The tap water is pretty hard. dh in the 300 range. What if I raise the temp to 80? I just don't want to stress the white clouds. They are very hardy fish however.
 
you can try it..but if they don't color up..you may have to slowly bump the temp up a bit..mine are in 82 and 84
 
my rams are at 83 degrees, and my danios (coldwater fish) seem fine. I might bump it down to 81 for the danios sake soon though.
 
I kept bolivian rams at 76-78 with no noted change in behavior FWIW.

Another good small cichlid for cooler temperatures is Laetacara dorsigera (red breasted dwarf cichlid - often sold by LFSs as L. curviceps). They'll do fine as low as 72-73.

Eric
 
I don't think 77 is out of the range for bolivians. Blue rams yes, but bolivians should be fine. I kept bolivians at around 77 with no difficulties.
 
Thanks to all for your advice. And thanks Jawhawk for the tip on red breasted dwarf cichlids. I'll add that one to my research . I'm thinking one male and two females of whichever species I wind up with.
 
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