I would love to get a bolivian ram for my community tank but not sure if i'd want one in a 20 gallon by itself.
empty 20 gallon
- Thread starter Flower1982
- Start date
Rams really do best in pairs...I noticed my male got rather listless and lost color when my female died.
This isn't a single fish and I don't know if there are any local Cichlid groups or stores nearby but a colony of shellies would go great in a 20 gallon. Lots of personality there with them burying shells and building there colonies and territories etc.
Taysius, I'd want something with a little more color than a convict, so maybe a yellow lab cichlid?
Jpappy789, I'd love to have a pair of bolivian rams for my 20 gallon but I haven't seen them in any of my local fish stores.
Quinn1928, I never thought of doing a female betta sorority. I'm going to have to look into that. how many would be able to live in a 20 gallon?
Bradlgt21, would a 20 gallon be big enough for some shell dwellers?
I've always been interested in them. Although I wouldn't know where to get them. I don't believe there is a local Cichlid groups or stores near me. Shell dwellers need sand instead of gravel right?
Thanks so much for the suggestions. I really appreciate it.
Jpappy789, I'd love to have a pair of bolivian rams for my 20 gallon but I haven't seen them in any of my local fish stores.
Quinn1928, I never thought of doing a female betta sorority. I'm going to have to look into that. how many would be able to live in a 20 gallon?
Bradlgt21, would a 20 gallon be big enough for some shell dwellers?
I've always been interested in them. Although I wouldn't know where to get them. I don't believe there is a local Cichlid groups or stores near me. Shell dwellers need sand instead of gravel right?
Thanks so much for the suggestions. I really appreciate it.
Sand is definitely recommended.
The easiest shellies by far are N. multifasciatous. In a 20L I'd start with at least a trio (more being better) with a bunch of shells lined at the bottom. In no time you'll have a breeding colony.
The easiest shellies by far are N. multifasciatous. In a 20L I'd start with at least a trio (more being better) with a bunch of shells lined at the bottom. In no time you'll have a breeding colony.
I don't have a 20 long I just have the regular 20 gallon. So I may not be able to keep shell dwellers.
nope, you can keep a good size colony of shellys in a 10, so you can definitely keep a good amount in a 20. They do require extra care in the form of managing fry, buying sand substrate, and getting around 3 shellls per fish but are very rewarding in the end.
Depends on what species of shell dweller you are referring to, really. A LOT of cichlids are called shell dwellers, and some of them get very large. The most common small shellie you will see is Neolamprologus multifasciatus, affectionately called "multis". They get around 1.5 inches to 2 inches, have a low bioload, and can be kept in as small as a 10 gallon. They prefer a fine gravel or sand substrate, so they can excavate. You will want at LEAST one shell per adult fish, plus several extras for juvies and territorial arguments. They prefer a higher pH, so you can put crushed gravel in the filter or mix it in the substrate to help buffer.
I have a colony of these guys in a 10 gallon, and they are a lot of fun.
I have a colony of these guys in a 10 gallon, and they are a lot of fun.
