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wespastor

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Feb 28, 2010
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Wanted to know if there were colorful cichlids that stayed small that I might house them in a 20 Long?

Thanks for the help.

Best wishes,
Wes
 
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Kribs(Pelvlichromis pulcher) are the first ones that come to mind. Rams are another small option.

The Apistogrammas also stay small and are colorful. They are a little more difficult than kribs or Rams.

If you could go a bit larger with your tank you could try Pseudotropheus saulosi.
 
Thanks guys ...:clap:

If there are any other types please chime in ... :1zhelp:

I don't even have the tank yet. Stll pondering.:idea:

It will most likely take me another year to put it all together like this last project and its not even finished yet. Just eyeing out my next project.

Thanks again for the help.

Best wishes,
Wes
 
Most of the shell- dwellers from Tanganyika would fit that tank as well. After that.... not much else cichlid- wise. Here's a deciding factor: plants or no? If yes, look into the Kribs ( get a bit large for my taste in a planted 20 ), Rams ( you can often get by with larger inverts such as Amano shrimp with them ), or Apistos ( sp. cacatuoides ). If no.. look into shellies. Hard water or soft? If hard the shellies or kribs will do fine. If soft look into Rams.
 
I've personally had blue rams (supposedly a "fragile" fish) do perfectly fine in hard water. The key is getting good stock that will not flake on you when acclimating. European or locally bred are fine but most stores stock from Asia which is why problems arise.
 
To add to your list for NW cichlids: flag cichlid( Laetacara curviceps), red belly flag( Laetacara dorsigera) and bolivian ram. For old world, there are many different kribs out there ( pulcher are my fav) and also the african butterfly cichlid( Anomalochromis thomasi). Just to name a few
 
AfroCichlid said:
Most of the shell- dwellers from Tanganyika would fit that tank as well. After that.... not much else cichlid- wise. Here's a deciding factor: plants or no? If yes, look into the Kribs ( get a bit large for my taste in a planted 20 ), Rams ( you can often get by with larger inverts such as Amano shrimp with them ), or Apistos ( sp. cacatuoides ). If no.. look into shellies. Hard water or soft? If hard the shellies or kribs will do fine. If soft look into Rams.
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We have hard water here in Cleveland.

I had thought about doing some sort of riparium style tank where the plants will not be directly submerged in the water. Also the tank may only be 1/2 to 3/4 full with water and that fact may change things conciderably.

It all still up in the air. Even the fact IF I want to do the project at all. :coffee2:

But, I truly thank you guys for your help. :y220e:

My wife and I have been looking at all the beautiful fishes you have sugguested:woot:. Even been to a few pets shop yesterday to see a few of those cichlids.

MTS (Multiple Tank Syndrom) is truly an incurable disorder that I personally want no one to find a cure for. If some one wants to start a fund raiser well they can send me some $$$ so I can buy more tanks. :rofl:

Thanks again. Keep those ideas coming they are great.

Best wishes,
Wes
 
You could upgrade to a 29 and some more options open up for you..... (convicts, labs? )
 
user_name said:
You could upgrade to a 29 and some more options open up for you..... (convicts, labs? )
Click to expand...

Well ... :popcorn:

The real problem starts with the fact that I'm really only allowed to have a 10 gallon aquarium :FIREdevil::swear:... So pushing it up to 20 is really a streatch. :evil_lol:

And get this I am lining up to get a 30 AND a 20 :woot: As well as a 5 and a 15.


I've got MTS real bad.

Best wishes,
Wes
 
Hey hey- Believeland! Go Browns! Seriously- are you limited to 10 gallons by a lease or something? 20 is not much bigger space wise and truly offers more options. If you choose to do the paludarium may I suggest a 30 tall? Same dimensions as a 20 long just much taller. Would allow for maximum plant growth and allow for a small area for fishes in the bottom. If you go this route you'll be much more limited in fish selection and I would stick with Apistos or Rams for suck a tank ( assuming at least 25-30% water ), and a small minnow sp. If you go with a 10 you're going to have to go with minnows of some sort... white clouds and such... no cichlids.... unless you go shellies. IME a 20 long is just big enough for a densely planted tank. I couldn't see building a paludarium in one without an addition above for climbing plants. 20 tall maybe.
 
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